Night of the Wolf (2014) Explores Blindness and Were-Wolves

I was blind in my heart.

Night of the Wolf is a 2014 film. Ambrose McKinley, a blind and fiercely independent Vietnam war veteran moves into a retirement community. Vicious attacks from a deadly beast harm the community. Ambrose steps in to uncover the truth and defeat this vicious monster.

You can do a lot with werewolf movies, just as long as they make sense and don’t go overboard. Night of the Wolf (also known as Late Phases) is an underrated thriller, but it’s more of a movie that illustrates blindness than howling werewolves.

Nick Damici’s performance is the highlight of Night of the Wolf. To get into his character, Domici walked blindfolded everywhere. Ambrose is a complex character. He is difficult to get along with but he still has a heart.

Ambrose chooses to have his way, like walking around with a shovel rather than a cane. Because of Damici, this film’s message on blindness is a positive representation. No matter the disability, we can do anything, including defeating bloody-thirsty monsters.

The supporting cast has important roles. I wondered which character would be the wolf. Credits include Ethan Embry, Lance Guest, Erin Cummings, Tom Noonan, and Al Sapienza. The ensemble makes this community feel like a small town. One of my favorite scenes was three women flirting with Ambrose, trying to get on his good side. Ambrose turns them down.

The most important relationship in the film is between Ambrose and his son, Will (Embry). I feel like Will could have been involved in the story more, instead of disappearing and then showing up when his dad’s troubles are reported to him. This could have been a father-son story reflecting more of their bond and evolution.

However, the film’s approach to horror is where it feels a bit uneven. It’s easy to forget this is a werewolf film. Only the beginning and climax have werewolf destruction. The pacing is slow, but still held my interest. Ambrose only has a month to uncover the mystery before the next full moon.

Here’s my beef with Night of the Wolf. This film contains the coolest werewolf transformation scene filmed entirely with practical effects. It’s the best scene in the movie! It’s ruined with people dressed in fake werewolf suits running around! It takes all the tension away, becoming a laughable image. It resembles an SNL skit!

Adrian Carcia Bagliano had the budget for gory effects, but not realistic werewolf costumes? At the very least, Night of the Wolf does something different. Bagliano explored the characters, including the film’s themes. The film has a genuine representation of blindness, presenting a sincere quality.

He demonstrates a keen understanding of Ambrose’s world, and the scenes where Ambrose navigates his blindness are skillfully executed, emphasizing his heightened senses and his adaptation to life without sight.

Night of the Wolf is similar to Wait Until Dark (1967), a film with another blind character who faces intruders. No matter the disability, anybody can live independently. Never take advantage of anyone’s disability.

It’s a social commentary about growing old with supernatural horror thrown into the mix. How many movies do you see with that theme? The film slowly shifts from a survival-horror story to a more action-oriented plot, a total contrast with its character-driven elements.

Let this be your warning, Night of the Wolf is a gory film. The creature thrashes victims until they’re in a bloody pulp.

Check out Night of the Wolf as something different this October. While you may find the werewolf costumes ridiculous, you may end up liking it.