This second installment in director Quinn Armstrong’s “Fresh Hell” trilogy, “Wolves Against the World” also happens to be the second best of the three. This gory, bloody story of a supernatural Nazi werewolf rock band delivers moments of suspense and striking imagery that will appease most genre fans. Despite its low budget and uneven execution, there’s enough to enjoy here to warrant a mild recommendation.
When two former members of a defunct neo-Nazi metal band (Armstrong and Michael Kunicki) reunite at the site of their bandmate’s (Jordan Mullins) suicide, things get really dark really quickly. One has sunk deeper into a pit of hatred and grievance, while the other is haunted by remorse and seeks redemption. After a night spent together at the remote cabin, dark occult forces come into play. This results in an occult battle of wills between man and, well, beast.
The metaphor of the two mens’ monstrous past isn’t as heavy-handed as you’d expect, especially as Armstrong explores the darker undercurrents of guilt, depravity, and shame. There are layers to the theming that give the story more depth and, when paired with the non-linear structure, create a compelling hook that draws you in from the start.
Armstrong builds tension as he carefully doles out information at well-timed increments, giving audiences just enough of what they need to hear at certain points in the story. But this approach, which features frequent time jumps and slow pacing, may rightfully test the patience of some viewers.
Slowing things down even further is the dialogue between the two men. It’s crucial to the narrative, but it’s written (and delivered) in a way that’s often clunky and forced. Even worse is the inclusion of original music, which is a major weak point in the film.
Horror fans will appreciate the low-budget effects, though, and the bloody gore contributes to the movie’s gritty tone. The visual imagery is haunting, with a few sequences that are exceptionally well-crafted. They are worth waiting for, even if the narrative is not.
After a strong start story-wise, the film begins to lag. Armstrong bogs down his movie with too many unnecessary, lengthy, and talky scenes that seem to drone on and on. Losing about twenty minutes would’ve tightened the story and made the film much more compelling.
Despite being a mixed bag, “Wolves Against the World” has the bones of a good horror film: interesting characters, a unique premise, and some genuinely striking visuals. Where it falls short is in its pacing issues, lackluster dialogue, and broad-focus narrative. This one is undoubtedly made with true genre fans in mind, but it could benefit from tighter editing and a more controlled story to gain mainstream appeal.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 