Out Come the Wolves (2024)

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I enjoyed this.  It is obviously a low budget effort, with just three actors and a limited set (cabin / woods) but whatever money they had was spent wisely, getting capable performers and splashing out (pun intentional) on lots of gory wolf action.

Has anything nice ever happened when people go to an isolated cabin in the woods?

The first half is building up characters and relationships.  The second half is a fight for survival against some mean doggos.  Neither part is quite on-the-money but it is still engaging enough.  

The characters and the conflicts are  a bit stock - you get the feeling we're in a mash up of the Hunger Games (Tough girl with bow in a love triangle with her rugged best friend and her soft city boyfriend) and ... uh ... something with wolves.  But the acting and setting is good.  

The mis-en-scene helps you work out it is a love triangle, and it ain't the boys who are hot for each other

The second half feels a bit rushed - there isn't the sense of relentless fear which survival horror needs to truly gruel the audience.  There is also an intriguing moment when you think the film might be about to go off in a completely different direction - when we wonder JUST WHAT REALLY HAPPENED OUT THERE and WHO ARE THE REAL WOLVES, MAN?! - but then backs away from it.

Plot twist!  I'm not a manifestation of your true nature or the savagery lurking beneath the veneer of civilisation.  I'm just a fucking badass wolf.  Now git outta my woods or I'll eats yah!

But overall, a decent enough creature feature elevated by the three actors. And the wolves.

Star Rating: ** (Good performances, atmospheric setting and very fierce doggies)

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