Late Phases (Night of the Wolf) (2014)

Director: Adrian Garcia Bogliano

Starring: Nick Damici, Ethan Embry, Lance Guest

When deadly beasts attack from the forest, it is up to a grizzled veteran to uncover what the residents of a secluded retirement community are hiding.

If you’re a die-hard werewolf movie fan, you might want to steer clear of ‘Late Phases’, because I can assure you you will be disappointed. This is more of a family drama than a werewolf horror.

‘Late Phases’ plunges the viewer smack bang in the deep end in the opening scene, and only then teaches them to swim. The opening almost plays like the climax, and then resort to family drama. There’s not another werewolf in sight until well past the halfway mark. Immediately after the opening scene, the film’s hero Ambrose (Nick Damici) starts his plan of action – almost as if we’re already entering the third act – only, it lasts until the third act…

This is an unusual narration, and quite honestly one I found rather strange for a werewolf movie – or any movie for that matter. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a werewolf movie with a blind character trying to solve the mystery. This certainly was different, but unfortunately I didn’t find it realistic enough and it seemed almost too easy for Ambrose.

Another letdown were the costumes. Look, it’s always better to go with practical instead of CGI, but these werewolf suits looked funny. I mean, really funny, as in hilarious! The werewolves were not frightening at all and almost comical.

If you like your werewolf movies toned down – with a hint of family drama – then maybe this is for you. As for me, this was too unconventional. It wasn’t a bad movie at all, just not my idea of a werewolf movie. I also wasn’t sure whether this was intended to be a horror comedy, or a horror that was unintentionally funny.

Would I watch it again? No.