Wolfen Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Overweight cop investigates a series of murders committed by eco-terrorist wolves who are upset about gentrification.

🍿 Wolfen: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Mysterious Murders in New York City

The film opens with the brutal murder of wealthy businessman Christopher van der Veer, his wife, and their bodyguard in Battery Park. The killings are savage and unlike anything the NYPD has seen before, suggesting an animalistic attack. Detective Dewey Wilson, a seasoned but world-weary cop, is assigned to the case.

The Investigation Begins

Wilson partners with criminal psychologist Rebecca Neff to investigate the murders. Their investigation leads them to the derelict areas of the South Bronx, where a homeless man is also found brutally murdered. The forensic evidence suggests a connection between the victims, and the presence of animal fur points towards a non-human assailant. The film utilizes unique ‘wolf vision’ shots to depict the perspective of the unseen predators.

Native American Legends and the Wolfen

As the investigation deepens, Wilson encounters Eddie Holt, a Native American activist who introduces him to the legends of the Wolfen. These are ancient, powerful spirits connected to wolves, possessing heightened senses and abilities. Holt suggests that the Wolfen are protecting their hunting grounds, which are threatened by Van der Veer’s development projects.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Dewey Wilson (Albert Finney): A weary and cynical NYPD detective investigating a series of brutal murders possibly linked to animal attacks.
• Rebecca Neff (Diane Venora): A criminal psychologist and Dewey’s partner, who helps him investigate the bizarre murders and provides insights into the potential motives.
• Eddie Holt (Edward James Olmos): A militant Native American activist and prime suspect, who introduces the legend of the Wolfen to Dewey.
• Whittington (Gregory Hines): A coroner and Dewey’s friend, who discovers the non-human evidence at the crime scenes and assists in the investigation.
• Warren (Dick O’Neill): Dewey’s superior, who pressures him to solve the high-profile murders quickly.
• Ferguson (Tom Noonan): A zoologist who identifies the hairs as belonging to Canis lupus, also explaining that there are 40 existing subspecies and these particular hairs don’t belong to any of them
• Wolfen (N/A): An ancient species of intelligent, wolf-like predators who kill to protect their hunting grounds from human encroachment.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Edddie Holt: “It’s not wolves, it’s Wolfen. For 20,000 years Wilson- ten times your fucking Christian era- the ‘skins and wolves, the great hunting nations, lived together, nature in balance. Then the slaughter came.” – Eddie explains the history and connection between Native Americans and the Wolfen to Detective Wilson.
• Eddie Holt: “You don’t have the eyes of the hunter, you have the eyes of the dead.” – Eddie tells Wilson that he is unable to comprehend or fight the Wolfen, showing Wilson’s inability to understand the natural world.
• Ferguson: “What are you two trying to pin on the big bad wolf?” – The zoologist Ferguson jokingly asks Dewey and Rebecca, foreshadowing his own death.
• Dewey Wilson: “All that separates you from a guard dog, is a brain.” – Detective Wilson replies sarcastically when asked to show his I.D.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $17,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $10,626,725
• Worldwide Gross: $10,626,725

💥 Wolfen Reviews

Personal Review

I first saw Wolfen as a kid and it scared me silly! The way the movie showed the wolf’s perspective, with those strange visuals and eerie sounds, really got under my skin. The movie also made me think about how we treat nature and whether we’re really the top of the food chain. It’s not your typical werewolf flick, it’s something much weirder and more thought-provoking. It left me with chills and a lot to consider about our place in the world!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of crime thrillers with supernatural elements”
  • “Viewers interested in Native American mythology”
  • “Those who appreciate unique cinematography and atmospheric horror”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Gore”
  • “Nudity”

Professional Reviews

• JoBlo.com: “Wolfen is a flawed but fascinating blend of police procedural and eco-horror. Finney delivers a strong performance, and the film’s unique visual style, particularly the ‘Wolfen vision,’ remains striking. While the message can feel heavy-handed, the overall experience is compelling and thought-provoking. The ending is a bit anticlimactic but good.
• Winter Is Coming: “While not a perfect film, Wolfen offers a unique take on the werewolf genre with a focus on eco-horror and social commentary. The film’s atmosphere is undeniably creepy. However, the narrative can be slow-paced, and the message, although relevant, is sometimes delivered with a sledgehammer. Ultimately, Wolfen provides some interesting discussion points.

Audience Reactions

The unique camera work, especially the predator vision, was groundbreaking for its time and added to the suspense.: Viewers appreciated the film’s departure from typical werewolf tropes and its exploration of environmental themes and Native American mythology.

Edward James Olmos’s intense performance and the film’s grim depiction of urban decay resonated with viewers.: The film’s atmosphere of dread, combined with its strong performances, made it a memorable and unsettling viewing experience.

Overall Consensus: Wolfen is a unique and atmospheric horror film that blends police procedural elements with eco-horror and Native American mythology, offering a thought-provoking but sometimes heavy-handed message.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Composer Craig Safan wrote an original score for this film but was replaced at the last minute by James Horner, who had only 12 days to write and record his score.”
• “The film is known for its early use of an in-camera effect to portray the subjective point of view of a wolf, similar to thermography. The technique was later adopted by other horror films such as the Predator film series.”
• “Director Michael Wadleigh is best known for the documentary Woodstock. Wolfen was his only fictional feature film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Wolfen?

As of October 2024, ‘Wolfen’ can be found for purchase on platforms like Amazon. Check your preferred streaming or purchase platform for availability, as options may vary.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Wolfen, you might like these similar films:

• The Howling (1981): A direct comparison as another werewolf film released in the same year, though with a more traditional werewolf transformation.
• Predator (1987): Features similar predator POV shots using thermal imaging, inspired by the cinematography in Wolfen.
• Altered States (1980): Explores themes of primal instincts and human regression to animalistic states through experimental science.
• Prophecy (1979): Deals with ecological themes, environmental destruction, and its monstrous consequences.

🛒 Wolfen Related Products

• Whitley Strieber’s Wolfen [Kindle Edition]: Experience the original novel that inspired the film, delving deeper into the lore and the minds of the Wolfen in this thrilling Kindle edition. It is thought-provoking and thrilling.
• NECA Ultimate Predator Figure (thermographic vision mode): Features thermal vision effect seen in Wolfen. Highly detailed and posable figure that evokes the predator’s thermal vision.
• Urban Decay Photography Book: Visually inspired by the landscape and atmosphere of the South Bronx in ‘Wolfen’. This book features stunning photography that captures the haunting beauty of abandoned and decaying urban environments.
• Werewolf Board Game: A social deduction game where players try to identify werewolves among them. Based on the social dynamic of predator and prey.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Wolfen Main Theme” – performed by James Horner
• “Van Der Veer’s Death” – performed by James Horner
• “Jitterbug Boy” – performed by Tom Waits

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Wolfen: It’s Not Wolves; It’s Wolfen.

Want to understand what Wolfen is all about? Check out this clip where key characters explain the film’s core concept. It’s a pretty insightful scene that really sets the tone!

WOLFEN – “AlienVision” South Bronx

Ever wondered how they achieved that unique visual style in Wolfen? This video breaks down the incredible cinematography, Steadicam work, and sound design! Seriously cool stuff if you’re into the technical side of filmmaking.

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