Directed by
Nathalie Biancheri
In what could have been a fascinating psycho-thriller, Wolf instead provides a snooze that was definitely better in concept than execution.
Wolf tells a tale of a hospital that specializes in conversion therapy, however not in the typical way we think of. This hospital helps people who believe they are animals and convinces them they really are human and should act in a normal human way. The main character we follow is Jacob, played by George MacKay, who believes he is truly a wolf. Once in the center, he encounters others like him that think they are a German Shepherd, a panda, a horse, a parrot, a duck, a lion, and a wildcat. The wildcat, played by Lily-Rose Depp, befriends Jacob and, despite their primal urges saying they should be enemies, they form a strong connection. Running this hospital is "The Zookeeper," an evil taskmaster portrayed by Paddy Considine. As Jacob struggles with therapy and whether to accept who he is or who he is told he should be, he considers escaping amidst punishments from The Zookeeper. Depp's wildcat continues to give him support and company throughout his struggles.
This film has a wonderful premise and great intentions in using this to shed light on the concept of conversion therapy being used to force people into societal norms. If this was the direction they were going to take this premise though, it would have been much better served as a short. Nothing really happens in this movie. There is no plot beyond the premise. It was one of the longest 90 minute movies I have ever seen.
The one redeeming factor of the film, beyond the premise, is the performance by George MacKay. In a bizarre follow-up to his breakout role a few years ago in 1917, MacKay gives a physically transformative performance as the boy turned wolf. Watching him prowl the hallways and howl at the moon is fascinating to watch. I think the director knew this was the best thing the film had because they overuse the visual to an annoying degree. Lily-Rose Depp is fine as MacKay's partner as she shows she has her father's taste in non-glamorous roles. Paddy Considine is over the top in an obnoxious way. He thinks he's Nurse Ratched, but instead is out of control and almost cartoonish in his portrayal. The only other standout in the cast beyond MacKay is Fionn O'Shea as the German Shepherd. He fully commits and seems to truly understand what it means to be a dog.
Wolf doesn't know what it is as a film. The trailer makes it feel like an exciting psycho-thriller. What it actually thinks it is is somewhere between One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and The Shawshank Redemption. Where it actually ends up is a character study that rides the line between subtle and boring. The plot isn't compelling, it doesn't earn the payoff, and none of the supporting characters are strong enough to care about. All this leads to an unimpressive, mediocre film that can't deliver on its promising premise.
Rating: 1.5 stars
Watch the trailer here:
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