Werewolf by Night

Billed as a Marvel Studios special presentation on Disney Plus, the made-for-streaming Werewolf by Night introduces a number of Marvel Comics' horror ...

Werewolf by Night is both a great palate cleanser for those looking for a break from the usual MCU bricklaying and a good way to ease into spooky season with an over-the-top tone-setter. The fun is in relishing the love for old Universal monster movies that everyone involved clearly has, and not in the special’s MCU connections. (As someone who turns into a werewolf, it’s ideal that Russell keep his ability under wraps.) And he’s not the only one bringing baggage to the night’s proceedings: Elsa Bloodstone (Laura Donnelly of As Jack Russell, Gael García Bernal is a great audience surrogate, someone who enjoys being mysterious but is also happy to drop the charade and become a personable (maybe even relatable) guy once he achieves his goals. [Werewolf by Night](https://www.polygon.com/23346062/marvel-trailers-news-announcements-d23), “ [a Marvel Studios special presentation](https://www.polygon.com/23380348/werewolf-by-night-marvel-mcu-timeline)” — basically the streaming era version of a TV movie — is kind of like that. [Directed by acclaimed composer Michael Giacchino](https://www.polygon.com/23372425/marvel-werewolf-by-night-reaction-michael-giacchino) with a script by Heather Quinn and Peter Cameron, Werewolf by Night pulls double duty as both a loving genre pastiche and an introduction of several of Marvel Comics’ storied horror characters [to the MCU proper](https://www.polygon.com/23380348/werewolf-by-night-marvel-mcu-timeline).

Disney television special "Werewolf by Night" is further proof that no one is more haunted by Martin Scorsese than Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios.

The killing and the use of blood are juvenile. They aren’t considered to be the pinnacle of cinema. And after seeing aliens and monsters, how is the existence of a werewolf or a vampire supposed to blow my mind? The suspense is absent because the “twists” are predictable (even if you know nothing about the characters). Neither the monsters nor the hunters are framed in a way to invoke terror. Giacchino’s score is the only element that manages to evoke the ’40s, and that’s about it. We are familiar with the pitches of the actors from that time period. And if a director accidentally follows the basic rules of filmmaking, you feel compelled to applaud because it is like finding a puddle of water in a desert. So, if there’s nothing interesting to “see” in “Werewolf by Night,” at least the plot must be interesting. We are aware of how awkward the action scenes used to be. Well, as explained in the opening narration, Ulysses Bloodstone (Richard Dixon) was a monster-hunter and the possessor of the coveted Bloodstone. In addition to Jack and Elsa, the list of competitors includes Jovan (Kirk R.

Absent of meaning but full of atmosphere and mood, Marvel's first seasonal special is stylish and frightening in equal measure. Marvel Studios.

It’s fun, it’s atmospheric, and it’s one of the better surprises to come from Marvel Studios in years. Like a Souls-borne or a Resident Evil sequel, there’s an awful lot of imagination to go around its limited spaces and restricted capabilities. Elsa is the estranged daughter of a wealthy monster hunter, now deceased. While most of its appeal is merely surface-level novelty — the black and white tragically feels more like an Adobe Premiere filter than a genuine artistic experiment — there is still a transformative experience in meeting Werewolf by Night on its terms. She’s played by The Nevers star Laura Donnelly, who brings an energy best described as “like Jessica Jones but British” to the role. [Werewolf by Night](https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/werewolf-by-night-marvel-horror-interview), Marvel’s first standalone seasonal special for Disney+, brings forth one of the more obscure characters from Marvel’s back issues — in this case, a super werewolf, who has some pathos as the original Wolf Man — into the grand canon of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Since Disney+ launched, Marvel hasn't been afraid to use the streaming service as a testing ground for more diverse genre projects. Werewolf by Night is a ...

This does, of course, fit the style of the piece, but when you consider that Werewolf by Night contains a startlingly realistic CGI Man-Thing, it leaves you wishing the werewolf had a bit more design flair to warrant the terror it receives. Werewolf by Night is a love letter to vintage horror. It’s not the kind of horror that will have you hiding behind a blanket, but the film is able to build genuine moments of tension with creative framing and editing that focuses on what is unseen. Its combination of a compelling premise, thrilling action and aesthetic style makes it an easy Halloween watch that’s hard to regret. However, Bernal and Donnell’s performances can’t be faulted, with both actors fully committed to the retro horror vibe Werewolf by Night strives for. It feels like a very Marvel Studios take on a classic film genre, and it’s quite refreshing to see the franchise experiment this way.

Moon Knight made his Marvel Comics debut in Werewolf by Night, but does the character appear in the Marvel Studios Halloween special?

Are you disappointed that Oscar Issac did not reprise his role as Moon Knight in Werewolf by Night? As amazing as it would have been to see Moon Knight in action once again via even just a brief cameo, it made sense for the writers to keep the special self-contained and not try to do too much. Is you’re hoping to see Oscar Isaac suit up as Moon Knight and make a cameo in Werewolf by Night, I’m afraid we have some bad news for you.

The Bloodstone appears in Werewolf By Night - but it has its roots squarely in Marvel Comics.

She also joined up with an incarnation of the Defenders known as the [Fearless Defenders](https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=8426&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB07JJ2F1QH%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dgrd-gb-9923263752736470000-20) (opens in new tab), and she was even recruited into the Avengers Initiative. Lyra is the child of Ulysses Bloodstone from hundreds of years in the past, who was taken from Earth by Ulysses' alien enemies. Cullen debuted in the Hunger Games-esque [(opens in new tab)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KPjZCvgLXPxPpVofsukR2D.jpg)(opens in new tab) In Marvel Presents #1, the Bloodgem is established as a cosmic artifact that fell to Earth in the prehistoric era, winding up in the hands of an unknown early human, who was evolved into a being of more modern intelligence and awareness by it. When the Bloodgem arrived on Earth, it was being pursued by an alien conqueror who wished to capture it and use its power to become the prehistoric planet's ruler. [(opens in new tab)](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fYMHatpzXtBhtK2VVbYMhC.jpg)(opens in new tab) Ulysses Bloodstone and the Bloodgem were initially conceived by writer/editors Marv Wolfman and Len Wein along with writer John Warner, who wrote their first appearance with art from Mike Vosburg. And, as usual for the MCU, the Bloodstone has its roots squarely planted in the history of Marvel horror comics. Its secrets may be many, but we've got everything you need to know about the Bloodstone in Marvel Comics right here. [Nextwave](https://target.georiot.com/Proxy.ashx?tsid=8426&GR_URL=https%3A%2F%2Famazon.com%2Fdp%2FB0823LG927%3Ftag%3Dhawk-future-20%26ascsubtag%3Dgrd-gb-8148876788999617000-20) (opens in new tab) along with Monica Rambeau, and she was also part of the mystical team known as the [Midnight Sons](https://www.gamesradar.com/midnight-sons-midnight-suns-marvel/) (recently evolved into the [Midnight Suns](https://www.gamesradar.com/marvels-midnight-suns-guide/)), which has also included [Blade](https://www.gamesradar.com/blade-marvel-vampire-daywalker/), [Morbius](https://www.gamesradar.com/morbius-marvel-sony-movie-film-spiderman/), [Man-Thing](https://www.gamesradar.com/man-thing-MCU-marvel/), and [Werewolf By Night](https://www.gamesradar.com/werewolf-by-night-marvel-mcu-explained/) into its ranks. The eldritch artifact lies at the heart of Disney Plus' Werewolf By Night Special Presentation streaming on October 7.

Werewolf by Night makes its long-awaited debut on Disney Plus. Here's how you can watch the Marvel Halloween special online.

How will you be watching it? Are you excited to watch Werewolf by Night? It’s also directed by Michael Giacchino, marking a first for the composer.

After dipping a toe into the horror genre with “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness” earlier this year, the Marvel Cinematic Universe jumps into the ...

But “Werewolf by Night” is a triumphant first effort at losing the capes and spandex and delving into more genre territory for Marvel. “Werewolf by Night” marks an exciting turn for the MCU — it’s the first in a (I hope) long line of special presentations, branded as one-offs for the ever-sprawling universe. The MVP of “Werewolf by Night” has to be the supernatural monster Man-Thing (no, not Swamp Thing, as seen on HBO Max’s “Harley Quinn,” though they must be long-lost cousins). The special pays homage to the classic, black-and-white Universal monster movies, and Jack is a clear-as-day, but deadly-at-night, “Wolf Man.” As a human, he’s meek and utterly reluctant to transform into his werewolf form. In addition to hunting their prey, the characters turn on each other during a bloody night of backstabbing and creature carnage. It’s the creepiest and bloodiest Marvel project by far, and clocking in at a lean 53 minutes long, it’s a perfect, snack-sized Halloween treat heading into the spookiest of seasons.

Director Michael Giacchino reveals why 'Werewolf by Night' lacks the most precious of MCU staples: the post-credits scene.

[upcoming Avengers ride](https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/d23-marvel-new-avengers-ride-disneyland-avengers-endgame-alternate-ending) at Disney World — it’s a respectable choice for Giacchino to ditch saddling his project with a post-credits scene. Multiple episodes of Marvel’s expanding library of Disney+ shows lack a post-credits scene, often in the front half of the series. However, the director believes that Werewolf by Night need not glimpse into anything. When the credits finish rolling, fans aren’t greeted to a teaser for the next monstrous being to walk into the MCU, nor is there a cameo from an Avenger. It’s one of the coolest things Marvel has ever made, and it is sure to get MCU fans talking long after Halloween season comes to a close. There isn’t even a lighthearted gag to take the edge off.

Werewolf By Night confirms that when it comes to Marvel's live-action Disney+ projects, less is more.

[Moon Knight Season 2](https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/marvel-moon-knight-deserve-season-2/)?”, or “will Elsa go on to bust Black Knight’s balls in the Blade reboot?” seem beside the point. [classic Universal](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/universal-monsters-how-the-wolf-man-created-the-first-cinematic-universe/) and Hammer output, and even adding cue marks to the top right corner of the screen. Werewolf By Night, with its themes of alienation and reckoning with the legacy of an abusive family dynamic, will stay with me. It’s hard not to imagine a version of [Moon Knight](https://www.denofgeek.com/moon-knight) that leaned into this vibe. It’s fun to have spent time in this world, but part of Phase Four’s problem has been an often-misplaced fixation on “what’s next?” and less focus on delivering a viewing experience that stays with you. Jack doesn’t need to tell us about the one time he was able to remember a friend when he was in werewolf form, we get to imagine those circumstances for ourselves when heartbreak briefly flashes in Bernal’s eyes.

"Werewolf By Night" opens with a narration by Rick Wasserman about the known part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which basically involves all the ...

And while it’s evident that Ted is going to continue his friendship with Jack, there’s a high chance that Elsa is going to continue the legacy of the Bloodstone family and go after the likes of Jack and Ted. Post that, Elsa goes to look for Ted/Man-Thing, and Russell rushes to the weak part of the maze that can be blown apart by the explosive that he has. Swan pledges allegiance to Elsa, and she tells him to start cleaning up the mess in the manor. They are going after them for “fun.” Additionally, you can say that Jack’s story is that of being of two worlds (humans and monsters) and the repercussions of saving or destroying either of them. As expected, Russell gets to be the one to set the tournament into motion, and the rest of the participants go after him. Elsa informs him that the Bloodstone is capable of transforming him in five seconds. So, Elsa agrees to take part in the tournament and proves to Verussa that she isn’t as big of a disappointment as Verussa keeps making her out to be. Man-Thing points out the Bloodstone that has been attached to his body, which is both weakening him and making him angry. However, instead of getting frightened by it, Russell pats it and reveals that he’s actually a friend of Man-Thing, and he’s there to rescue him. He says that Man-Thing is going to be unleashed into the sacred grounds, and the one to slay it is going to possess the Bloodstone. Elsa says that if she (FYI, Verussa is Elsa’s step-mother) is ready to give her the relic, then they don’t have to go through all the formalities. And the thing that they are supposed to slay is the Man-Thing (Carey Jones).

How to watch and stream Marvel's Werewolf by Night online with Disney+, plus Hallowen special trailer, release date, cast and MCU details.

[WATCH WEREWOLF BY NIGHT ON DISNEY+](https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=127X991730&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.disneyplus.com%2Fen-gb%2Fmovies%2Fwerewolf-by-night%2FJ1sCDfT3MaDl&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalspy.com%2Ftv%2Fustv%2Fa41529315%2Fwatch-marvel-werewolf-by-night-disney-plus%2F) "We're introducing a world which will ultimately become quite important to the future of the MCU." [ Disney+](https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=127X991730&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.disneyplus.com%2Fen-gb%2Fmovies%2Fwerewolf-by-night%2FJ1sCDfT3MaDl&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalspy.com%2Ftv%2Fustv%2Fa41529315%2Fwatch-marvel-werewolf-by-night-disney-plus%2F). [teased](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a41467463/marvel-werewolf-by-night-disney-mcu/) what fans can expect from Werewolf by Night, and its role in the MCU. [Outlander](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a39858328/outlander-season-7-release-date/) star Laura Donnelly as Elsa Bloodstone, and Gael Garcia Bernal as Jack Russel – the Werewolf by Night character the show is named after, who first appeared in the comics in 1972. [Werewolf by Night](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a41153479/marvel-werewolf-by-night-first-trailer-release-date/), which is now available to stream on [Disney+](https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=127X991730&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.disneyplus.com%2Fen-gb%2Fwelcome&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalspy.com%2Ftv%2Fustv%2Fa41529315%2Fwatch-marvel-werewolf-by-night-disney-plus%2F). [Marvel Cinematic Universe](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a28084501/mcu-release-order-marvel-movies/). [Disney+](https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=127X991730&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.disneyplus.com%2Fen-gb%2Fwelcome&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalspy.com%2Ftv%2Fustv%2Fa41529315%2Fwatch-marvel-werewolf-by-night-disney-plus%2F), you can sign up for £7.99 a month or £79.90 for a full year. [six months of Disney+ free](https://go.redirectingat.com/?id=127X991730&xs=1&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.o2.co.uk%2Fextras%2Fdisney-plus&sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.digitalspy.com%2Ftv%2Fustv%2Fa41529315%2Fwatch-marvel-werewolf-by-night-disney-plus%2F) when upgrading your mobile plan or joining the network as a new customer. Werewolf by Night is out now and available to watch on Disney+ after its release today (Friday, October 7). [Marvel](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a825774/marvel-cinematic-universe-in-chronological-order/)'s first Special Presentation, Werewolf by Night is a 54-minute feature about a group of monster hunters who gather at the foreboding and macabre Bloodstone Temple after the death of their leader – but when thrust into a deadly hunt, the monster they're looking for could be among them. Inspired by monster movies of the 1930s and 1940s era of cinema, Werewolf by Night is a throwback to classic horror and will contain all the scares and chills you'd expect from a Halloween special, while exploring a completely different side of the

Marvel's Halloween Special is howling around on Disney Plus now. Here's the low-down on the new characters, horror homages and MCU connections [spoilers].

[She-Hulk](/culture/entertainment/she-hulk-release-schedule-when-does-episode-9-hit-disney-plus/) just brought back [Daredevil](/culture/entertainment/she-hulk-episode-8-recap-daredevil-returns-plus-marvel-easter-eggs/) and now heads for its finale next Thursday Oct. Stuart Immonen is thanked for his work defining the look of Elsa Bloodstone in anarchic comic series Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E. In that case, the black-and-white sections denoted the 'real' world, and color signaled a shift into the fantasy realm of Oz (which may have been a dream). You'd think the tomb in which Elsa and Jack are momentarily trapped would be ripe for Easter eggs, but the various names on the headstones aren't obvious Marvel comics references. This use of color is probably just a stylistic nod to a classic movie, but we're here to overthink things so it's tempting to wonder whether this is some kind of comment on the nature of reality in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As well as appearing recently in Star Trek: Picard, Thatcher is perhaps best known as the punk rocker who encountered Spock on a bus in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home. Interestingly Werewolf by Night is the reverse of The Wizard of Oz, which shifted to luminous [Technicolor](/culture/entertainment/technicolor-100-years-the-gulf-between/) for most of the story then ended by going back to monochrome. The TV movie is a tribute to vintage horror from roughly the first half of the 20th century. From the vintage-styled opening credits to the contorted, maze-like graveyard setting and crackly 1940s gramophone tunes, there are nods to the expressionist horror of silent movies like 1922's Nosferatu and 1920's The Cabinet of Dr. With Elsa's help, Jack helps the hunt's prey escape, revealing the tentacled terror Man-Thing is more of a gentle giant (named Ted). But the hunter with the most kills, Jack Russell, is not the deadly slayer he professes to be: Instead of killing creatures, he frees them. (Not because this article is scary, just because of spoilers).

Get ready for a monstrous new side of the MCU. Check out this brand-new featurette for Marvel Studios' Special Presentation: Werewolf by Night, streaming in one ...

If you couple that with Man-Thing's earlier [Easter egg appearance in Thor: Ragnarok](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a833999/thor-ragnarok-trailer-easter-egg-beta-ray-bill-man-thing-ares/), it's clear that there's a plan in motion to make this big green oaf count in some important way. But if we're right, the ramifications of [Werewolf By Night](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a38742852/marvel-werewolf-by-night-disney-plus-outlander-laura-donnelly/) will actually be felt soon throughout the entire multiverse, culminating with one giant crossover event in [Avengers: Secret Wars](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a41500631/avengers-secret-wars-doctor-strange-loki-writer/). [John Krasinski's Mr Fantastic](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a39940365/doctor-strange-2-fantastic-four-reed-richards-franklin/) in Multiverse of Madness, "an incursion occurs when the boundary between two universes erodes and they collide, destroying one or both entirely". After all, he's the keeper for the Nexus of All Realities, a vulnerable location that could become the focal point of this battle to come. He's almost certainly referring to Man-Thing, a character he actually suggested for Werewolf By Night. But regardless of the outcome, it's hard to imagine that this erosion of the multiverse won't impact Man-Thing in some pivotal way. Man-Thing is also the keeper for the Nexus of All Realities, a place where every timeline and universe intersects in one single point. Like, "the whole future of the entire multiverse depends on it" kind of important. That's not all though. And it all starts here with Man-Thing. [Moon Knight](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a39891356/moon-knight-season-2-release-date-disney/) and [Multiverse of Madness](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a39839375/doctor-strange-2-review-multiverse-of-madness/). [Marvel](https://www.digitalspy.com/marvel/)'s [Werewolf By Night](https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/ustv/a41153479/marvel-werewolf-by-night-first-trailer-release-date/) is a schlocky, campy funhouse ride that channels the best monster movies of yesteryear to create something fans have never seen before in the [MCU](https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a825774/marvel-cinematic-universe-in-chronological-order/).

Werewolf by Night is darker than your typical Marvel Cinematic Universe property. Is the Disney Plus Halloween Special suitable for family viewing?

Yes, Werewolf by Night is quite scary. Werewolf by Night is inherently darker than its predecessors, even if it accomplishes it in a lighter, vintage way. There is rather large monster that looks scary (although he’s a bit of a sweetheart), but a lot of the scary moments in Werewolf by Night succeed because they take place off-screen. There is occasional bad language in Werewolf by Night but it isn’t anything outside the realm of what we’re used to in Marvel movies, even the light-hearted ones. Werewolf by Night, however, is very different from all of its predecessors, and though it might be MCU, it’s nothing like the superhero adventures you’re used to seeing from this shared universe. A monster hunter-turned-monster, it will see him transform into a werewolf surrounded by monster hunters.

Gael García Bernal and Laura Donnelly lead the one-off as Jack Russell and Elsa Bloodstone, two characters with the potential to become major recurring players ...

More recently, she's joined Ryan Murphy's catalogue of stars with roles in [American Horror Story](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/american-horror-story-season-11-release-date/): Apocalypse, [Hollywood](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/when-is-hollywood-released-on-netflix-whats-it-about-whos-in-the-cast/) and [Ratched](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/ratched-season-2-release-date/). She has also appeared in [Merlin](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/fantasy/merlin-at-10-the-cast-and-creatives-on-how-they-made-the-bbcs-boy-wizard-drama/), The Fall, [Outlander](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/outlander-season-7-release-date/) and Beowulf: Return to the Shieldlands, as well as 2019 biopic Tolkien. [Sign up to Disney Plus for £7.99 a month or £79.90 for a year](https://disneyplus.bn5x.net/c/1236178/564546/9358?subId1=radiotimes-1717694&u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.disneyplus.com%2Fen-gb). [Westworld](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/westworld-season-5-release-date/), while he previously dabbled in comic book horror for DC's short-lived (but fan favourite) Swamp Thing series. One of his recent projects is another Halloween special, [Muppets Haunted Mansion](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/muppets-haunted-mansion-release-date-disney-plus/). Last year, she made a guest appearance in acclaimed US comedy [Hacks](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/drama/hacks-uk-watch/), while on the big screen, she featured in Best Picture nominee [Licorice Pizza](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/licorice-pizza-watch-online-stream/). [subscribe now](http://radiotimes.com/magazine-subscription?utm_term=evergreen-article) and get the next 12 issues for only £1. [Frasier](https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/comedy/frasier-reboot-release-date/) and Felicia in Desperate Housewives. Though said to have wracked up hundreds of kills in his time, he hides a dark secret (you can probably guess what it is by the title). "What attracted me to her story so much was this idea of what you grow up with, and what you’re told by your family, and who you are shaped to be by them, whether that’s for good or bad," said actor Laura Donnnelly. The magical gem her father wielded in life was once hers by birthright, but now she will have to fight to prove herself worthy of holding it. On joining the Marvel universe, actor Gael García Bernal said: "I was actually very happy that the story was not about a superhero, but about a monster and about that world, because I feel that monsters are more human than superheroes.

Short answer: yes. The hour-long Marvel movie doesn't dwell on it. Instead, it's handled with a single line as the film opens. As narrated by Rick Wasserman, ...

If you take that opening imagery as literally as possible, it seems to be suggesting that the events of Werewolf by Night are happening in parallel to The Avengers (2012). After all, a decade is a long time, and people (or Man-Things) tend to change as they get older. Beyond that one image of the Avengers assembling, there’s no connective tissue here to help us piece together. As narrated by Rick Wasserman, the opening shows a series of black-and-white drawings to introduce us to this world. And these hunters and these monsters, they all kind of exist in the shadows, in a place the rest of the world won’t admit to or doesn’t pay attention to. With its [black-and-white motif](https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/werewolf-by-night-marvel-horror-interview), blood-spattered fight scenes, and the arrival of everyone’s new favorite character, Man-Thing, the Disney+ special is sure to be a Halloween classic for years to come.

Werewolf by Night is a modestly entertaining diversion, but one can't shake the feeling it doesn't add up to as much as it could have or should have with a ...

It’s a script that's lost between a short film and a feature, too overcrowded for the former and too thin for the latter. Most of the hunters lack in definition or personality—which is a problem—but the mysterious Jack ( [Gael García Bernal](/cast-and-crew/gael-garc%C3%ADa-bernal)) clearly hides a secret while Elsa Bloodstone ( [Laura Donnelly](/cast-and-crew/laura-donnelly)) comes to the night’s events with some heavy baggage. For the most part, “Werewolf by Night” is a modestly entertaining diversion, but one can’t shake how it doesn’t add up to as much as it could have been with a more ambitious team behind it.

Director Michael Giacchino — better known for his composing work on films like Up and Ratatouille — spoke a bit about the timeline of the special in an extended ...

Giacchino says that, even though the special never addresses it directly, he has an idea of how Werewolf by Night fits into the larger Marvel universe, but that it will remain solely in his head, as there are "discussions yet to be had" with the powers that be over at Marvel. It's my version of where this all goes because I did need that in order to of push this through. It’s likely, considering that not only is Bernal a massive star, but Jack Russell has serious ties to Moon Knight in the comics. I didn't know how to make that better or bring something new to that.” Giacchino said that Werewolf by Night doesn’t really have an impact on the rest of the MCU — at least, he wasn’t considering it while making the special. Director Michael Giacchino — better known for his composing work on films like Up and Ratatouille — spoke a bit about the timeline of the special in an extended interview with Collider’s own Steve Weintraub.

Trying to place the songs featured within Marvel's Halloween special Werewolf by Night? Here is your guide to the special's incredible soundtrack!

Below is a complete list of the songs featured in the Marvel special: We’re here to help break down the songs featured across Marvel’s special. Not only is the special brilliantly unique and unlike anything we’ve seen in the MCU, but it also features an amazing score that is complimented by some incredible songs.

Details on how to attend Collider's free screening of Marvel Studios' Werewolf by Night in 35mm followed by a Q&A with director Michael Giacchino.

Werewolf by Night is about a secret cabal of monster hunters that meet up at the Bloodstone Temple following the death of their leader. That’s because on Thursday, October 13 at 10:45pm, Collider is partnering with Marvel Studios for a special screening of Werewolf by Night in 35mm at the New Beverly Cinema and we’ll have Michael Giacchino for the Q&A. If you’re a fan of Michael Giacchino, Marvel Studios, Werewolf by Night, and seeing movies projected in 35mm, you’re going to want to send me an email.

'Werewolf by Night' Star Gael García Bernal Says Diego Luna Showed Him the Ropes of Disney Franchise Stardom ... The actor discusses his practical transformation ...

Before I started to work on this, I was like, “What am I going to do?” But once you get your feet dirty and put your hands in the clay and start to play around, you gain a little bit of the character. So as soon as Michael told me what he wanted to do and the way he wanted to approach it, I said, “Yeah, let’s do this!” So it’s been great, and I feel really lucky to be in this world of Marvel because of their know-how and infrastructure. There’s a little bit of appropriation that happens, and once you put the mask on, the whole world is built. The black and white is something that I hadn’t thought about [with regard to the rating], but yes, exactly. By the end, it was actually quite fast. Apparently, the black and white kept it at TV-14. But it was fascinating to be around all these other projects and people, and doing a press conference and press junket, in a sense, with all these different films and TV series was incredible. So we were taken care of, and I can’t wait to do more with this great opportunity. So it’s been great to have a good friend who’s also living something similar as well,” García Bernal tells The Hollywood Reporter. It was fantastic to have the opportunity to interpret this character. So it’s been great to have a good friend who’s also living something similar as well. García Bernal is not a complete stranger to Disney, having previously voiced the role of Héctor in Pixar’s Coco, but joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe and leading its first-ever “Special Presentation” is certainly a different beast.

The actor talks to ET about the Halloween special and if he'll return with the Midnight Sons.

“I wish as well that there’s a lot of possibilities to play with this character even more.” “I was immediately on board,” Bernal says of joining the project, which is a major departure in tone, style and storytelling for the MCU. “I was approached by many fans that knew more about the world of Midnight Sons than I did. But as the actor explains, the effort put into the makeup and costume was well worth it. And that was funny, you know, because sometimes they ask me things and I go like, ‘Well, it seems you know even more than I do about this,’” the actor says, before teasing, “Let’s see where this leads. “At the beginning, it was a long process,” he says.

Marvel's first spooky project, 'Werewolf by Night,' was a one-hour foray into new haunting material for the MCU, with familiar Marvel Easter eggs.

[Moon Knight](https://www.distractify.com/p/will-there-be-a-moon-knight-season-2) first appeared in a Werewolf by Night Marvel comic? He was working on a project to replicate the super serum when a nefarious organization tried to steal it. Ted has finally arrived in the MCU. He prefers that name over the monstrous moniker other people have bestowed upon him — Man-Thing. We'd give our right leg to see Laura Donnelly's Elsa Bloodstone lock Ryan Reynolds' Deadpool in a dungeon for stealing her Bloodstone choker like he does in the comics. He also composed the Marvel opening fanfare that's played in every MCU property since Doctor Strange!

In Screen Gab No. 55, our resident Marvel expert breaks down a new Halloween special, we catch up with '30 Rock's' Jack McBrayer and more.

[Moon Knight](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-04-20/moon-knight-episodes-marvel-oscar-isaac-guide) made his first appearance in the pages of the “Werewolf by Night” comics. I loved the cultural exposure and educational elements of [“Sesame Street”](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-08-21/hbo-max-sesame-street-episodes-removed-warner-bros-discovery) ( [HBO Max](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-03-23/best-tv-shows-hbo-max-what-to-watch), PBS Kids). [“Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood”](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2019-11-26/mister-rogers-widow-legacy-a-beautiful-day-in-the-neighborhood) (PBS Kids). Ritchie Torres (D-N.Y.) are among the influential Latinos profiled in this new documentary. But I especially loved the fun and playfulness of [“The Electric Company”](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-jan-19-et-electric-company19-story.html) (Hulu). Our critic weighs in](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-10-05/reginald-the-vampire-let-right-one-in-anne-rice-interview-with-vampire-review): With “Let the Right One In,” “Anne Rice’s Interview With the Vampire” and “Reginald the Vampire,” the undead are having a TV moment. Here’s a quick (spoiler-free) rundown of everything you need to know about the MCU’s first TV special, out now on Disney+. [the undeniable Niecy Nash-Betts](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-09-27/niecy-nash-betts-wife-jessica-betts-the-rookie-feds-dahmer-netflix) as Simone Clark, a guidance counselor turned probationary FBI agent, but conveniently attached to a new unit of “out of the box thinkers” — where, as the farthest out of the box, she is immediately crucial to cracking cases. [stars Channing Tatum](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-02-17/dog-review-channing-tatum-veteran-ptsd), after all. [‘All of us are still friends’: A generation later, ‘The Love Boat’ crew sails on](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-10-04/the-love-boat-cast-members-ted-lange-jill-whelan-real-love-boat): Reuniting for “The Real Love Boat,” original castmates Ted Lange and Jill Whelan reflect on the show’s guest stars, racism in ‘70s Hollywood and more. [How an ‘incredible’ real-life feat gave a TV show about the Troubles its happy ending](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-10-03/netflix-derry-girls-series-finale-creator-lisa-mcgee-good-friday-agreement): “Derry Girls” creator Lisa McGee breaks down the Netflix series’ final season, including its “tricksy” timeline and that surprise cameo. [After a major cast shake-up, ‘SNL’ confronts its weaknesses — but can’t overcome them](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/tv/story/2022-10-02/snl-miles-teller-kendrick-lamar-new-cast-season-premiere): After a sharp meta-opener and a send-up of Armie Hammer, it was all downhill for the Season 48 premiere of the beleaguered sketch show.

The scion of the Bloodstone monster hunters, Elsa has made a name for herself in cult comics such as Nextwave: Agents of HATE and Monsters Unleashed. But those ...

[Avengers](https://www.denofgeek.com/the-avengers/) [Nick Fury](https://www.denofgeek.com/nick-fury/) assembled in 1959, and later as the leader of various monster hunter organizations, including the Covenant. But there are still plenty of monsters in the MCU, monsters that might draw the attention of Elsa Bloodstone. The Bloodgem choker worn by Elsa gives her the ability to shoot energy blasts and the ring worn by her brother Cullen gives him ESP. After all, living with Ulysses has taught Elsa Bloodstone who the real monsters are. She did not return to Boston until after Ulysses’s death, at which point she began wearing the Bloodgem as a choker and started her own monster hunting career. In theory, Bloodstone’s primary quest drove him to search for other pieces of the inter-dimensional meteor from which the Bloodgem spawned and to get revenge against the Hellfire Helix, a creature from the Bloodgem’s dimension who killed Ulysses’ prehistoric tribe. But he was literally a throwback, a caveman sustained and evolved by the Bloodgem. The scion of the Bloodstone monster hunters, Elsa has made a name for herself in cult comics such as Nextwave: Agents of HATE and Monsters Unleashed. In her last appearance, Elsa and Cullen discovered their ancient half-sister Lyra, who was thought to be long-ago sacrificed to a monster by Ulysses. If the special piqued your interest, here’s a quick look at the history of Elsa Bloodstone, her father Ulysses, and the Bloodgem. The story of the Bloodstone family begins with the Bloodgem, a fragment of an interdimensional meteor that crashed onto the Earth eons ago. The upcoming Halloween special [Werewolf by Night](https://www.denofgeek.com/werewolf-by-night/) seems like a continuation of that approach, pushing lesser-known wolfman character Jack Russell to the forefront.

The inheritor of a family curse, Jack Russell debuted in Marvel Spotlight #2, written by the trio of Roy Thomas, Jeanie Thomas, and Gerry Conway, with pencils ...

In 1972, Marvel added to the canon with a take on a classic trope with Werewolf by Night. Giacchino digs deep into Werewolf by Night lore, bringing along a few other beloved Marvel Characters. Most of the Atlas beasties transported to the Marvel Universe in a new form, as did famous monsters like Godzilla and Count Dracula, to regularly do battle with the Avengers and the X-Men.

Marvel Studios' chilling Special Presentation Werewolf by Night is now streaming exclusively on Disney+, inviting fans to explore a new corner of the Marvel ...

“Collaborating with Jeff was great because as I was writing the score in one room, he was editing the film in the next room, so I would go back and forth. “Sometimes you get a better idea in the moment,” he says. This is what this character is going through.’ It was a great way to communicate.” “But I was like, ‘No, I want the most obscure, weird thing you have—and as a kid, that was Werewolf by Night.” Drawing inspiration from classic black-and-white monster films, his idea for Werewolf by Night presented an opportunity to take yet another big, creative swing for Marvel Studios. “I’ve actually been making movies since I was 9 years old,” he clarifies. “Music was something I did for a very long time and loved,” he says.

How did Ulysses Bloodstone die before the events of Marvel's Werewolf By Night? The answer may have been right in front of us.

[Mahershala Ali](https://www.denofgeek.com/mahershala-ali/) is ready to unfurl his wings as Blade in the MCU, and with the daywalker having a penchant for hunting down blood-sucking vampires, he’d be well-matched to join Elsa and Jack on their next mission. [ComicBook.com](https://comicbook.com/movies/news/why-blade-and-moon-knight-dont-appear-in-werewolf-by-night-revealed-exclusive/)) that Moon Knight and Blade wouldn’t be in Werewolf by Night, the special’s atmosphere and shooting style means there are calls for him to take over from [Bassam Tariq to direct Blade](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/marvel-blade-reboot-troubles/). [Heavy Spoilers](https://youtu.be/srP94h50G-0), a rough translation of the Latin in Werewolf by Night suggests that Jack was the one who killed Ulysses Bloodstone. The events of Werewolf by Night are triggered by the death of Ulysses Bloodstone. Although their Latin is a little rusty, the opening credits that give us the Bloodstone backstory apparently say something along the lines of: “This tearful Bloodstone, Ulysses the seventh son, as far as the stones are concerned, is slain, and is slain on the last full moon of the year, at the end of the blood/bloodshed.” Connecting the dots, it’s not too much of a leap to imagine Jack killed Ulysses thanks to his death falling on the night of a full moon. [Werewolf by Night](https://www.denofgeek.com/werewolf-by-night/) made its bloody debut as the first Marvel Studios Special Presentation.