Conventional horror movies centered around werewolves often go heavy on special effects, showcasing the transformation from man to wolf and its subsequent uncontrollable slaughter. But the transformative aspect and dual nature of werewolves provide fertile ground for metaphor beyond their primal, animalistic urge to eviscerate everything in their path.
Out this week is The Beast Within, a werewolf movie with a fairy tale twist, framing its horror story from the perspective of a young girl discovering the truth about her afflicted father.
It’s the unconventional approach to werewolf lore that inspires this week’s streaming picks: five unconventional werewolf horror movies that defy easy categorization and use lycanthropy to explore historical horrors, the growing pains of youth, or simply loneliness.
Here’s where you can stream them this week.
For more Stay Home, Watch Horror picks, click here.
Brotherhood of the Wolf – AMC+, Kanopy, Pluto TV, the Roku Channel, Shudder, Tubi
This highly underseen, loose telling of Beast of Gévaudan favors realism over the supernatural with its predator. Christophe Gans’ genre-bender follows Chevalier de Fronsac (Samuel Le Bihan) and close friend Mani (Mark Dacascos) as they are sent to the Gevaudan province to investigate brutal slayings by a mysterious beast. It’s a stylish take on a historical account, full of conspiracy, court intrigue, horror, and martial arts—a slickly shot retooling of its source inspiration, only in the loosest sense. Expect a stylistic twist on the animal attack feature and an unconventional take on the werewolf. If you need another reason to watch, Gans returns to horror soon with the upcoming Return to Silent Hill.
The Company of Wolves – AMC+, Kanopy, Shudder
In Neil Jordan’s film, young Rosaleen falls asleep at her home and dreams of menacing wolves, many of which disguise themselves as men. All of which makes for a dark metaphor for Rosaleen’s sexual awakening in adolescence. Fairy tales often double as coming-of-age horror stories to impart invaluable cautionary tales. The Company of Wolves uses dream logic to walk the fine line between childhood and adolescence through multiple tales that use “Red Riding Hood” as a narrative base. Beware the man whose brows meet in the middle.
The Cursed – Hulu, Kanopy
Writer/Director Sean Ellis’s period gothic tale introduces new werewolf lore and some surprising body horror moments. After a heinous act, a town gets afflicted with a gruesome curse, and they turn to pathologist John McBride (The Predator’s Boyd Holbrook) for answers. Ellis presents some fresh werewolf ideas and mythology while exploring the horrors of colonization. There’s some stellar gore work on display, even if those scenes tend to come few and far between. The production is gorgeous, and it offers a moody atmosphere in spades. Those looking for some moody gothic horror with rich production design will find it here.
Good Manners – Kanopy, Tubi
This genre film reconfigures a classic monster to create an original dark fairy tale. Told in two halves, it follows Clara, a lonely nurse hired by the wealthy Ana to be the nanny for her unborn child. The two develop an unexpected bond, but a fateful night of the full moon changes everything. Good Manners is a genre-bender that deftly merges romance, fantasy, and a monster movie. In other words, it’s an unconventional and pleasant surprise. Just when you think you have this movie pegged, it shifts gears dramatically.
Teddy – AMC+, Hoopla, Shudder
In the French horror-comedy Teddy, becoming a werewolf highlights the growing pains that come with transitioning into adulthood. Teddy (Anthony Bajon) lacks ambition or direction as a young twenty-something living in a small, rural town. The only time Teddy sparks to life is with his high school girlfriend, Rebecca (Christine Gautier), even as a rogue wolf causes trouble for the town. When Teddy wanders into the woods one day, he runs back out soon after, bitten by the creature. He begins experiencing new changes in his body that leave him questioning his station in life. Written/Directed by Ludovic Boukherma and Zoran Boukherma, expect restraint with the horror; this is more of a genre character study with a delightful finale.