An American writer travels to the isolated English countryside to check out his mother’s inheritance in writer/director Chris Sanders‘ new horror comedy WEREWOLF CABAL.
Horror author Michael Kiefer (Derek Nelson), cut clearly from the same cloth as Stephen King stalwarts Ben Mears and Jack Torrance, learns that his mother recently died and arrives at her solicitor to get the final low-down on what he is entitled to, learning that he also has a stepbrother, Eric who recently died. In addition, he learns that there is a tenant, Charlotte DeVere (Antonia Whillans), who has been living in an upstairs room in the flat for years with valid tenancy agreement and seemed to know Michael’s more intimate details.
In the community lies a sleazy Reverend, Peter James (Jon-Paul Gates) and in the surrounding bushes – lurking in the dark like the lyric of a certain classic song from decades hence – is a werewolf…..
A movie that homages the likes of classic Hammer, AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON and other classic British horrors that take us into the darker realms of the bloodiest and bloody, WEREWOLF CABAL compensates in atmosphere where it may be lacking in punch and shock. Part of the issue is that there are a lot of ideas battling for attention at the centre of the narrative, as well as a slow-burning first half which attempts to explain the backstory of the main event.
The reality is at the heart of this story lies a fascinating idea of the relativity between man and monster which has been tapped in films like THE HOWLING and AMERICAN WEREWOLF, particularly the former which freshened up the genre with its’ potent mix of dark gallows comedy and terrific Rob Bottin effects. There are some admirable gore effects here which you have to stick with the film to appreciate and experience, but therein lies the rub in a film that would be a more rewarding one if things had been more tightly focused and structured. A brief appearance from Vernon Wells (COMMANDO, MAD MAX 2 / THE ROAD WARRIOR) may provide fans with some added anticipation at the outset for what is to come.
More of a rural drama than horror, but essentially one for the dedicated cult horror fans and those who gravitate towards cinematic monsters and werewolves.
WEREWOLF CABAL is available to watch on Amazon and Plex streaming services.
