Werewolf by Night (TV special)
A Marvel Studios Halloween special introducing a monster hunter.
Werewolf by Night is a television special from Marvel Studios, released on Disney+ as the first entry in the MCU's "Special Presentation" line. Directed by Michael Giacchino and written by Heather Quinn and Peter Cameron, it follows a covert group of monster hunters who battle a dangerous creature while vying for a powerful artifact. The story is set within the same continuity as the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe films and series.
The plot begins after the death of Ulysses Bloodstone. His widow, Verussa, summons five experienced monster hunters—including Jack Russell—to Bloodstone Manor for a competitive hunt. The winner will become the new leader and claim the Bloodstone, a potent relic. Ulysses's estranged daughter, Elsa, also arrives to compete, despite Verussa's objections. The hunt takes place in a large maze on the manor grounds, where a captured monster implanted with the Bloodstone is the target. Russell discovers the monster, "Ted," is actually a friend he intended to rescue. After a brief alliance with Elsa, Russell helps Ted escape by destroying the maze wall. Elsa removes the Bloodstone from Ted, but the stone reacts violently to Russell's touch, revealing he is also a monster. Verussa captures Russell and Elsa, using the Bloodstone to trigger his transformation into a werewolf. The werewolf escapes, kills Verussa's guards, but is subdued by the Bloodstone. Elsa kills the remaining hunters and stops Verussa from killing the werewolf. The werewolf spares Elsa after recognizing her and flees. Verussa attempts to shoot Elsa but is incinerated by Ted, who then leaves to find Russell. Elsa takes control of the manor and the Bloodstone. The next day, Russell wakes in human form in the forest, with Ted watching over him, relieved that Elsa is safe.
The cast includes Gael García Bernal as Jack Russell / Werewolf by Night, a monster hunter cursed to transform into a werewolf. Bernal prepared by studying werewolf mythology, half-human creatures from various cultures, Marvel comics, and classic horror films. The werewolf costume and makeup initially took four hours to apply, but the process became quicker by the end of filming. Director Giacchino emphasized that the werewolf's design should connect Russell to his past and family, reminding him of who he was. Laura Donnelly plays Elsa Bloodstone, Ulysses's estranged daughter who rejects her family's mo
- Release date
- October 7, 2022
- Director
- Michael Giacchino
- Writers
- Heather Quinn, Peter Cameron
- Network
- Disney+
- Genre
- Superhero, horror
- Based on
- Marvel Comics character Werewolf by Night
- Runtime
- Approximately 1 hour
Quick Facts
- Genre
- Horror / Superhero
- Based On
- Marvel Comics
- Teleplay
- Heather Quinn / Peter Cameron
- Story
- Heather Quinn
- Director
- Michael Giacchino
- Starring
- Gael García Bernal / Laura Donnelly / Harriet Sansom Harris
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
- Executive Producer
- Kevin Feige / Stephen Broussard / Louis D'Esposito / Victoria Alonso / Brad Winderbaum
- Producer
- Leeann Stonebreaker
- Editor
- Jeffrey Ford
- Location
- Atlanta, Georgia
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Development of the special had begun by August 2021, with Gael García Bernal cast that November. Giacchino was revealed to be directing in March 2022, ahead of the start of filming later that month at Trilith Studios in Atlanta, Georgia, concluding in late April. The special was formally announced in September, when Giacchino revealed he was also composing. The special was released on October 7, 2022, as part of Phase Four of the MCU. A fully colored version, known as Werewolf by Night in Color, was released on October 20, 2023.
The plot follows the death of Ulysses Bloodstone, after which five experienced monster hunters, including Jack Russell, are summoned by Ulysses' widow, Verussa, to Bloodstone Manor. They are instructed to participate in a competitive hunt to determine their new leader, who will wield the powerful Bloodstone. Ulysses' estranged daughter Elsa also arrives to compete. The hunt begins in a large maze with a captured monster implanted with the Bloodstone. Russell finds the monster, Ted, who is revealed to be a friend he intended to rescue. Russell and Elsa work together to free Ted and obtain the Bloodstone. Verussa captures Russell and Elsa, triggering Russell's transformation into his werewolf form. The werewolf escapes, slaughters guards, and spares Elsa before leaving. Verussa is incinerated by Ted, and Elsa takes possession of the manor and the Bloodstone.
Reader's Guide
Werewolf by Night is significant as the first Special Presentation in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, marking a departure from previous MCU media with its black-and-white cinematography and practical effects. The special received positive reviews from critics, with praise for its use of practical effects, the black-and-white cinematography, performances (particularly Bernal and Donnelly), Giacchino's direction and score, and its story. It introduced the character Werewolf by Night (Jack Russell) and the monster hunter Elsa Bloodstone into the MCU, expanding the franchise's supernatural corner. The special also featured the swamp creature Ted (Man-Thing) and established the Bloodstone relic as a key artifact. Its legacy includes a fully colored version released a year later, and it demonstrated Marvel Studios' willingness to experiment with genre and format within the MCU.
Did You Know?
- The special was directed by Michael Giacchino, who also composed the score.
- Gael García Bernal initially took four hours to get into the werewolf costume and make-up.
- The special was released as part of Phase Four of the MCU.
- A fully colored version, Werewolf by Night in Color, was released on October 20, 2023.
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