Quartile rating: 6/10 · 1 rating
When a proposed pipeline creates hostilities between residents of a small town, a newly-arrived forest ranger must keep the peace after a snowstorm confines the townspeople to an old lodge. But when a mysterious creature begins terrorizing the group, their worst tendencies and prejudices rise to the surface, and it is up to the ranger to keep the residents alive, both from each other and the monster which plagues them.
Werewolves Within is a fun, witty ensemble horror-comedy that earns its modest cult following. The whodunit structure layered over creature-feature tropes works reasonably well, and the script has genuine wit and social commentary about small-town paranoia and tribalism. The acting is a genuine highlight — Sam Richardson is charming and grounded, and the ensemble of eccentrics is committed and entertaining. Cinematography is functional but unremarkable, leaning on standard horror-lodge visuals without particular flair. Novelty is decent — blending Agatha Christie mystery beats with werewolf horror and sharp comedy gives it a specific voice, though it never fully transcends its video game origins or feels truly singular. The ending deflates somewhat, resolving the mystery in a fairly rushed and conventional way that undercuts the buildup.