Out Come the Wolves

Catching up with my 2024 horror films watch list brings me to this film. A typical premise of three people who go out to a cabin in the woods and then something nefarious happens. It's a girl, her fiancé, and her childhood friend (who is secretly in love with her) on a hunting trip that meets tragedy when they encounter a pack of wild wolves. It actually starts off real well as the time spent developing the relationship between the characters is well done (especially since the cast is better than expected). Sometime after the first wolf attack, the film falls flat pretty fast and never fully recovers. There are some great moments that will keep you entertained and engaged throughout but overall it's just a okay film. All the wolf footage looks amazing.

Sophie (Missy Peregrym) joins her childhood friend Kyle (Joris Jarsky) for a hunting trip. There is real chemistry between them. He even reminds her that she once promised to marry him when they turn 40 if they have no one else. Of course, she brings her boyfriend Nolan (Damon Runyan) although he is a completely clueless hunter unlike the two longtime friends. They are put to the test when they are attacked by a pack of wolves.

This is a lower grade indie. It could have elevated the tension much more. Basically, it needs to isolate the trio by sending them into the woods. Maybe their vehicle breaks down in the middle of nowhere. They are tracked by the wolf pack. They definitely should not have guns. The wolves should do more night attacks. Everything should be done to make the trio into underdogs and heighten the intensity.

Missy Peregrym needs to stay out of the woods. Teaming up with the director of Back Country, she experiences another wilderness based fight for survival.

Introducing her new fiancee to her oldest best friend (who is male), the film starts with the two men preparing to go hunting as the fiancee is a writer and editor planning a story about the hunt and kill to provide meat as food. Here we gain a look at the discrepancies in personality of two people raised in wilderness and the hunting culture, and one raised in the city scape.

Now, for the problematic parts. The trio of characters come with some baggage that is unresolved. Jealousy makes for a poor plot contrivance. The director made a similar mistake is his film Back Country as well. And that's too bad as this interferes with what could have been a cleaner story.

Aside from that, this is a tight film with the second half a tense survival story.

Horrible characters that you really want to see die soon after you meet them. Very unrealistic wolf like behavior. The gore is decent, but the main characters are so horrible it ruins the experience. They're all very conceited and dumb; in their actions, their conversations and their attitude. Are we supposed to be cheering for the wolves?

This is much worse than The Grey, but at least that had Liam Nelson in it and the wolves were intimidating from a fantasy monster perspective. This movie tries to portray the wolves in a more realistic nature, but whoever wrote this couldn't even be bothered to Google wolf behavior.

Save your time, watch something better than this cheap attempt at forest fear.

A Thrilling Hunt for Survival

Adam MacDonald's "Out Come the Wolves" is a pulse-pounding survival thriller that expertly blends stunning visuals with intense suspense. The film follows a trio of friends on a hunting trip that takes a terrifying turn when they become trapped in a remote wilderness and hunted by a vicious pack of wolves.

The film's greatest strength lies in its ability to build tension and keep the audience on the edge of their seats. MacDonald's direction is masterful, utilizing the vast, unforgiving landscape to create a sense of isolation and dread. The cinematography is breathtaking, capturing the beauty and brutality of the wilderness with equal aplomb.

The performances are equally impressive. Missy Peregrym delivers a solid performance as Sophie, a skilled hunter who must confront her past and her fears in order to survive. Joris Jarsky and Damon Runyan also give solid performances as Sophie's friends, Kyle and Nolan.

While the plot may be somewhat predictable, "Out Come the Wolves" is a thrilling ride that never fails to entertain. The film's intense action sequences, combined with its exploration of themes of friendship, survival, and the power of nature, make it a must-see for fans of horror and thriller films.