Don't shoot me but I sometimes love to watch teenage TV shows and movies, especially supernatural and fantasy genres. I've been a fan of the Teen Wolf TV series and watched all six seasons. When I heard the movie was in the works, I was kind of excited. I say kind of because it's been years since I saw the last season and the fascination for the show had worn off. Yet, I looked forward to the release of the film.
For a quick synopsis of the TV show, you should know that Teen Wolf (2011-2017) is a supernatural drama surrounding a teenage boy, Scott McCall (played by Tyler Posey), who is beaten by a werewolf, and rises to the status of a 'true' werewolf alpha. There's been none like him in the history of werewolves, according to the main plot. Usually, it's the original or pure werewolves that can rise to become alpha. In Scott's case he is beaten, becomes a werewolf and through a series of tests and challenges, he becomes a 'true' alpha.
One distinct feature of Scott McCall that makes him a threat to other people and supernatural beings is that he's surrounded by friends: kitsune, were-coyote, humans, banshee, chimaera etc who pledge allegiance to him and make up his alpha pack, making it the strongest pack in the fictional town, Beacon Hill.
*[Source: YouTube](https://youtu.be/1y3rflTTjeI)*The Movie's Plot
One interesting thing about the TV show is that every season has its villain. They are usually formidable, testing the strength of the main cast until the villain(s) is defeated at the end. Each season brought someone new and fascinating. But one particular villain that gave the supernaturals a tough time in Season 3 was the Nogitsune and his Onis.
So when I began to watch the Movie, I wondered who the villain would be until I saw that Scott McCall's first love interest in the TV show, Allison Argent (a werewolf hunter), is brought back from the dead. Her unexpected death in Season 3 of the show broke a lot of fans' hearts then (mine included). Everything associated with her resurrection including the Nogitsune, the malevolent force behind her heartbreaking death, came alive.
The Nogitsune is a 1000-year-old dark, trickster spirit that thrives on chaos, pain and revenge. It's depicted with a big green fly and it can possess a person as its host or take the shape of a mummified person. It uses illusion to deceive people and if its riddles are answered, it gets a hold of his victims. But it was caged in a sacred urn at the end of Season 3.
This 2023 film begins fifteen years after the end of the sixth season where most of the main cast had left Beacon Hills, California town. In Japan, a hooded man visits a restaurant where he attacks the staff (a werewolf and a kitsune) and collects the sacred urn containing the Nogitsune. He sets it free to return to Beacon Hills and embark on a personal vendetta against Scott McCall and his friends. The action begins from here.
Review
The plot of this film is great, a nostalgic welcome for fans of the TV show revolving around the predators and prey, the hunters and the hunted. We are reminded of all the things we love about the TV show such as teenage love, selflessness, sacrifice and loyalty.
The settings and pacing are good. I enjoyed the way the film picked up with the same intensity that fans are accustomed to. The film leans on threads that have always resonated well with its loyal fans and continue the story of the characters in a truly authentic way.
Another spark of the film is the cast. When I saw the lineup, I was thrilled that most of the cast from the show reprised their roles in the film. I enjoyed watching the cast slip back into their old roles as effortlessly as riding a bike. Most of them have not aged much, in my opinion. This helped to create a sense of reconnection with the audience.
The fight sequences are almost realistic though a bit slow and the CGI is not bad. But it's not great either. It was good to watch a familiar Lacrosse game typical of almost every episode of the TV show and the funny, loud coach at his best once again.
The heartbreaking part of this film for me was the absence of Stiles Stilinski (played by Dylan O’Brien). He was Scott McCall's best friend, the detective brain and wit of the TV show. There is a gaping hole due to his impact on the story, the characters and the fans. His presence and humour would have added some colour to this film.
Another downside to this film is that there are many unresolved holes in the main plot. After watching, I'm left wondering what the Nogitsune’s core grievance is (beyond working for the man in the hood) and why Allison, the werewolf hunter, is brought back from the dead. The film does nothing to tell us why Derek is left with a son and why some characters are absent like Kira and Isaac.
We see new characters introduced to either replace the characters we miss or as a new addition to the film. All in all, the cast had chemistry, and their acting was seamless and enjoyable. I suspect there may be a sequel because of the ending but it's up to the filmmakers.
Would I recommend this film? As a standalone and for viewers who have never watched the show, yes I do recommend it. It's not bad and you will enjoy watching if you are into supernatural-themed movies.
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PS: I posted this from the new Cine TV frontend and it was totally cool. It was easy navigating and the dark colours makes the site alluring! 😁
Other images are screenshots from the movie
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