Watch The Company of Wolves

The Company of Wolves is a mesmerizing and haunting fantasy-horror film directed by Neil Jordan that captivates audiences with its stunning cinematography, mesmerizing visuals, and eerie soundtrack. Based on the short story collection of the same name by Angela Carter, the film is set in a magical forest werewolves, and other mythical creatures roam free.

The story follows a young girl named Rosaleen (Sarah Patterson), who is plagued by unsettling dreams and nightmares about werewolves, death, and the macabre. When her sister ends up dead under mysterious circumstances, Rosaleen is sent to stay with her grandmother (Angela Lansbury), who lives in a quaint village near the forest. Initially, Rosaleen is enchanted by the beauty of the forest and the charming young hunter named Peter (Stephen Rea), but soon she realizes that the forest is not as idyllic as it appears.

As Rosaleen transitions into adulthood, she encounters the dangers of the forest in the company of a pack of wolves that can transform into humans. The werewolves are terrifying and dangerous but also sensual and seductive, and they prey on Rosaleen's innocence and desires with a mix of violence and affection. The film explores themes of sexuality, femininity, violence, and transformation, drawing parallels between the werewolves and the transition into adulthood, puberty, and the loss of innocence.

One of the most striking aspects of the film is its visual style, combining naturalistic landscapes with dreamlike and surreal images that create an atmosphere of fantasy and horror. The forest is a character in its own right, constantly shifting and changing, and Rosaleen often finds herself lost in a maze of thorns, fog, and shadows. The werewolves are portrayed as enigmatic creatures, half-human and half-beast, with glowing eyes, sharp teeth, and muscular bodies, and the transformations are depicted with stunning special effects that blur the line between reality and fantasy.

The film is also notable for its exceptional performances, especially from the two female leads. Sarah Patterson delivers a nuanced portrayal of Rosaleen, balancing innocence and curiosity with fear and defiance, and capturing the complex emotions of a young woman coming of age in a world that is both magical and dangerous. Angela Lansbury is equally impressive as the wise and mysterious grandmother, who reveals the secrets of the forest and its inhabitants to Rosaleen through a series of fairy tales and parables.

Overall, The Company of Wolves is a cinematic gem that stands the test of time, both as an exploration of the horror genre and as a feminist reimagining of classic fairy tales. It combines elements of Gothic romance, surrealism, and mythology with an unflinching depiction of sexuality and violence, resulting in a film that is both beautiful and disturbing. If you are a fan of horror films that challenge your expectations and make you think, then The Company of Wolves is a must-see.

The Company of Wolves is a 1984 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 35 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6 and a MetaScore of 69.