The Company of Wolves Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A girl dreams about werewolves, puberty, and Angela Lansbury giving questionable advice, so she just becomes a wolf herself to solve everything.

🍿 The Company of Wolves: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Opening Nightmare

The film opens with Rosaleen, a modern-day teenager, falling asleep and entering a vivid dream. This dream transports her to a fantastical, medieval-esque world filled with dark forests and lurking wolves. Her older sister, Alice, becomes a victim of the wolves, setting a tone of danger and foreshadowing Rosaleen’s journey.

Granny’s Warnings

Rosaleen seeks comfort with her grandmother, Granny, played by Angela Lansbury. Granny imparts cautionary tales about werewolves disguised as men, warning Rosaleen to never stray from the path, eat windfall apples, or trust men whose eyebrows meet. These stories serve as allegories for the dangers of growing up and navigating the complexities of sexuality. These cautionary tales become interwoven with Rosaleen’s dream, manifesting as surreal and often disturbing events. A wedding turns monstrous, and encounters in the woods blur the line between reality and fantasy. Granny’s stories aim to protect Rosaleen but also instill a fear of the masculine.

Encounter in the Woods

While venturing through the woods, Rosaleen meets an attractive huntsman whose eyebrows meet, defying Granny’s warning. He challenges her to a race to Granny’s house, symbolizing temptation and the allure of the unknown. This encounter highlights the central theme of the film: the tension between innocence and experience.

The Huntsman’s True Nature

The huntsman reaches Granny’s house first and reveals his wolfish nature, killing and devouring her. Rosaleen arrives to find the gruesome scene, blurring the lines between her dream and reality. Her reaction is complex, revealing a mix of fear and a strange fascination with the wolf.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Rosaleen (Sarah Patterson): A teenage girl navigating the transition to adulthood through a series of vivid, symbolic dreams involving werewolves and folklore.
• Granny (Angela Lansbury): Rosaleen’s grandmother, a storyteller who imparts cautionary tales and superstitions about men and werewolves.
• Huntsman (Micha Bergese): An attractive but dangerous figure who challenges Rosaleen and embodies the dual nature of man and beast.
• Young Groom/Werewolf (Stephen Rea): A man who disappears on his wedding night only to return years later as a vengeful werewolf, representing untamed desires.
• Father (David Warner): Rosaleen’s father represents a protective, yet distant presence in her life as she transitions into adulthood within her dream world.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Granny: “Never stray from the path in the woods, never eat a windfall apple, and never trust a man whose eyebrows meet.” – Granny gives Rosaleen this advice as a warning about the dangers lurking in the world, particularly men.
• Rosaleen: “Little girls, this seems to say / Never stop upon your way / Never trust a stranger friend / No-one knows how it will end / As you’re pretty, so be wise / Wolves may lurk in every guise / Now as then, ’tis simple truth / Sweetest tongue has sharpest tooth.” – Rosaleen narrates this as a cautionary poem at the end of the film, summarizing the dangers and deceptions faced by young girls.
• Granny: “See, the worst wolves are hairy on the inside.” – Granny emphasizes that true danger comes from within, not just from outward appearances.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $2,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $4,389,334
• Worldwide Gross: $4,389,334

💥 The Company of Wolves Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I saw this movie when I was way too young, and it totally messed me up! The visuals are so vivid and dreamlike, and the werewolf transformations are seriously creepy. Angela Lansbury is amazing as the grandma, even though she’s kinda scary. I especially remember the scene where the guy rips off his face – I still have nightmares about that! It’s not your typical horror movie; it’s more like a dark fairy tale, but it’s one that has always stuck with me. If you like dark and twisted stuff that makes you think, you gotta see this.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of dark fantasy”
  • “Viewers interested in werewolf lore with a twist”
  • “Those who appreciate symbolic and surreal films”
  • “People interested in feminist interpretations of fairy tales”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Gore and violence”
  • “Sexual themes and suggestive imagery”
  • “Disturbing content”
  • “Werewolf transformations”

Professional Reviews

• Time Out Film Guide: “A visually stunning and deeply symbolic exploration of adolescence and sexuality, ‘The Company of Wolves’ is unlike any other werewolf movie. Its dreamlike quality and rich metaphors make it a truly unique cinematic experience.
• AllMovie: “Neil Jordan’s film is a dark, surreal, and beautifully crafted adaptation of Angela Carter’s short story. It blends fairy tale imagery with horror elements to create a chilling and thought-provoking commentary on female empowerment.

Audience Reactions

The unique take on werewolf folklore and the surreal dream sequences captivated viewers.: Many viewers praise the film’s striking visuals, symbolic storytelling, and the creepy, unsettling atmosphere.

Angela Lansbury’s performance as the grandmother was considered a standout by many fans.: Audiences appreciated the film’s ability to blend horror with deeper themes about female sexuality and growing up.

Overall Consensus: A visually striking and thought-provoking film that blends horror and fantasy elements, though some viewers find it confusing or pretentious.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Most of the “wolves” in the movie are actually Belgian Shepherd Dogs with dyed fur due to budgetary constraints and safety concerns.”
• “Only two real wolves were used during the entire production for close-up shots of Rosaleen interacting with the wolf towards the end.”
• “Terence Stamp’s brief appearance as the Devil was uncredited and he stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Andy Warhol.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Company of Wolves?

As a cult classic, ‘The Company of Wolves’ can be found on various streaming platforms and for purchase. Check listings on Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and other digital retailers for availability to rent or buy. Physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray are often available through major retailers such as Amazon and local media stores.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Company of Wolves, you might like these similar films:

• Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970): Shares a similar dreamlike, surreal atmosphere exploring female adolescence and sexuality through a dark fairytale lens.
• Pan’s Labyrinth (2006): Presents a dark fantasy world where a young girl uses fairytales to cope with a harsh reality, similar to Rosaleen’s dream world.
• Ginger Snaps (2000): A modern werewolf story using lycanthropy as a metaphor for female puberty and transformation, much like the thematic elements of The Company of Wolves.

🛒 The Company of Wolves Related Products

• The Company of Wolves (Limited Edition Blu-ray): A pristine, high-definition transfer of the movie with exclusive bonus features, collector’s packaging, and artwork that captures the film’s dark beauty.
• Werewolf Costume: Transform yourself for halloween! This deluxe werewolf costume is a perfect costume for Halloween, fancy dress parties, cosplay or role-playing events!
• The Bloody Chamber and Other Stories by Angela Carter: The collection of Angela Carter short stories which were the basis for the screenplay.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Company of Wolves features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Company of Wolves – Main Theme” – performed by George Fenton
• “The Wedding” – performed by George Fenton

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

This Bonkers Film Got RUINED by its Ending

Ever feel like a movie just falls apart at the end? This video dives deep into why ‘The Company of Wolves’ might suffer from exactly that. Honestly, it makes you rethink the whole film!

Not Like Other 80s Fantasy Movies | Top 10 Most Underrated Fantasy Movies

Did you know ‘The Company of Wolves’ is considered underrated? This video lists it alongside other hidden gems from the 80s fantasy scene. It’s a great way to find your next movie obsession!

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