Orion Classics | Release Date: October 9, 2020
6.4
USER SCORE
Generally favorable reviews based on 46 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
25
Mixed:
15
Negative:
6
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8
MarakaiOct 26, 2020
Only two years ago in 2018, writer/director Jim Cummings arrived on the scene with his blackly comic drama Thunder Road that done very well on the festival circuit and heralded a new voice for independent film. And the hype was real. It was aOnly two years ago in 2018, writer/director Jim Cummings arrived on the scene with his blackly comic drama Thunder Road that done very well on the festival circuit and heralded a new voice for independent film. And the hype was real. It was a fantastic piece of work that finished in my personal top ten of that year. You could then say that I had high hopes for his next endeavour and I’m happy to confirm that The Wolf of Snow Hollow is on a par and cements Cummings as a filmmaker to watch. This time around, he shifts his attentions to genre horror but still manages to retain the humour that made Thunder Road so impressive. Cummings has a real knack for balancing tones and, once again, taking the lead role, proves he’s got the acting chops to flesh out his complex characters. This has, for obvious reasons, been likened to An American Werewolf in London, but that’s only in its premise and ability to entertain which is slightly unfair on Cummings’ work here. He’s a talent all his own. Huge fan of Thunder Road. Huge fan of The Wolf of Snow Hollow and a huge fan of Jim Cummings. Writing, directing, acting... it would seem that he has it all. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
theredskyOct 18, 2020
I was interested in this because I had heard that the Director’s, Jim Cummings, first and only other film, Thunder Road, was really good. After watching this film, I’m very excited to see where this Director goes in the future. The Wolf ofI was interested in this because I had heard that the Director’s, Jim Cummings, first and only other film, Thunder Road, was really good. After watching this film, I’m very excited to see where this Director goes in the future. The Wolf of Snow Hollow is a surprisingly funny and emotional film that is able to mix its horror elements, dramatic elements, and comedic elements almost perfectly together. I never felt as if a scene was undercut by a comedic line or anything else. Some of the jokes may not have been super funny but a lot of them definitely got a laugh out of me. The horror elements weren’t drop dead terrifying but they had a lot of tension and build up that made those scary moments effective and the dramatic elements hit really hard at points. Mainly with Robert Forster’s character but I think that’s because he passed away this time last year so it does feel a little somber. All of the performances here are great especially Forster and Jim Cummings. Each of their characters are mesmerizing and so fun to watch interact with everyone else. The script, also written by Jim Cummings, is great too and makes it easier for those elements to hit. On a technical level, the film has great editing, cinematography, and music. There are issues with pacing at points but it isn’t too major and the occasional unfunny joke or weak element doesn’t take away from the experience too much. If you are a fan of unique horror films or want a funny comedy horror film, then go check this out when you can. Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
Paper_KayJan 1, 2021
I love this genre: the shoestring-budget rookie-director unknown-actors horror-comedy that doesn't take itself seriously, but none the less has some surprising writing and impressive acting. The lead guy is such a mess and still you can'tI love this genre: the shoestring-budget rookie-director unknown-actors horror-comedy that doesn't take itself seriously, but none the less has some surprising writing and impressive acting. The lead guy is such a mess and still you can't wait for more of his on-screen time. Expand
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0
KraksOct 15, 2020
I'm pretty sure anyone saying anything positive about this film was on the crew or acted in the film. It is just awful. Someone gave cash to a Double Major in Cinema/Gender Studies and told them to run wild with it. Possibly this was aI'm pretty sure anyone saying anything positive about this film was on the crew or acted in the film. It is just awful. Someone gave cash to a Double Major in Cinema/Gender Studies and told them to run wild with it. Possibly this was a grant funded film, cause it is hard to believe anyone would invest a dime into this trash.

Every other line is a talking point straight out of the Intersectionalist's Playbook. They basically skimmed Twitter and Tumblr and copied and pasted a lot of their favorite lines. There is no such thing as subtlety in Hollywood anymore, but this film even does that a disservice. Save your cash. Watch literally anything else.
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2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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6
MovieTurtleOct 9, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Quite the interesting experience of a movie and one I was not expecting. If you came to this movie blind, expecting a horror/thriller, you are also likely not going to get what you expect. The Wolf of Snow Hollow is a well directed and edited mystery, with fantastic sound, abounding misdirects, and a slew of dislikable characters.

From the opening sequence to the final few minutes, almost every interaction is well presented as hints to solving the mystery that ultimately fall flat. Suspicious characters, the main character having incredible hearing, social dominance interactions; all ways of making you think the Wolf is the sheriff or his son or the lead lady, but it all leads nowhere and sputters out in an unknown villain. This movie comes across as a whodunit, but it most certainly is now.

The messaging that is present throughout the movie, and I now find is even in the trailer, is extremely heavy handed. Humans are the real monsters created from anger, drinking, drugs, sex, abusive relationships, nepotism and some more subtle jabs at hidden ones like sexism. It's constantly there until the very end and even plays at undermining any kind of good value the characters may have. Alongside this is a presentation of the lack of understanding of the common people with respect to the difficulty and issues of police work that again leads to nothing but making the entire town seem like terrible people.

Ultimately, I enjoyed this movie on a technical level, the story until about half way through, and the characters almost never. I doubt I will watch it again.
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2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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7
mbeckfordOct 13, 2020
I'm just going to say it: We need more werewolf movies. And that's not a spoiler. One of the intriguing aspects of the movie is whether the werewolf is real or not.

And "The Wolf of Snow Hollow" is one odd duck of a movie. It weaves deadpan
I'm just going to say it: We need more werewolf movies. And that's not a spoiler. One of the intriguing aspects of the movie is whether the werewolf is real or not.

And "The Wolf of Snow Hollow" is one odd duck of a movie. It weaves deadpan humor with real-like family drama and genre horror -- a feat that isn't easy to do and tough to review as an armchair critic.

Was the opening of this review a non-sequitur? That's exactly how many scenes of the movie leave you -- are those jarring tonal shifts or crafty blending of story/genre? Bottom line is that to rate this fairly, it deserves a re-watch.

What really makes the movie work is writer/director/star Jim Cummings' likeability and sheer passion that permeates much of the film (although his huge canines are damn distracting and suspicious given that it could be a werewolf movie!).
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0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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7
muldjordOct 10, 2020
This move has a bit of an identity crisis throughout. Sometimes it's a horror movie. Sometimes it's a comedy. And sometimes it's pure crime drama. This works for some movies, undoubtedly, but for the movies that does this well they don'tThis move has a bit of an identity crisis throughout. Sometimes it's a horror movie. Sometimes it's a comedy. And sometimes it's pure crime drama. This works for some movies, undoubtedly, but for the movies that does this well they don't usually switch between these styles again and again throughout - they mix it. This movie keeps changing style, and it doesn't work all that well. And it makes the acting seem rather silly at times.

Apart from that, it has some interesting stuff going on. I guess I kind of guessed what was going on due to how the scenes where the crimes take place were presented. But it never completely gave it up, which kept me pondering right up until the end - even though I did end up guessing correctly.

The end, though, does fall a bit flat. But I still enjoyed watching it as a whole.
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7
tropicAcesOct 19, 2020
Some interesting twists and amusing deadpan quips. Despite only being 85 minutes it is a bit overstuffed, but there is enough here to make it a fun addition to the Halloween/Christmas genre
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6
JLuis_001Nov 15, 2020
This is the ideal classic movie for a weekend.
It won't be memorable at all, but it will give you enough entertainment to pass the time.
Also, considering that it doesn't take long, the film itself acknowledges its weaknesses and doesn't
This is the ideal classic movie for a weekend.
It won't be memorable at all, but it will give you enough entertainment to pass the time.

Also, considering that it doesn't take long, the film itself acknowledges its weaknesses and doesn't extend what it shouldn't.

The biggest problem I found was its poor balance between mystery and comedy.
It was certainly black humor, but for humor, especially black humor, you need a good timing and equilibrium, and this movie was not successful in that regard.

Nothing special, nor did I expect it, but as light entertainment it delivered.
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8
AscosporeNov 11, 2021
Wolf-man flicks, we've seen them all, but I was happily surprised by this. I loved the fresh pacing and black humor. Great scripting. And funny. This guy's got talent.
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3
KeithsTakeOct 27, 2020
The acting, directing and production of this movie are all pretty poor. Come in expecting a low quality B movie and you may not be as disappointed as I was.
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7
JLauNov 1, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Alcoholic sheriff investigates a series of murders in a small town committed by a werewolf but doesn't bother investigating the local taxidermist who has a lot of werewolf stuff on his walls. Expand
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8
CarlElmoreNov 24, 2022
Really funny and engaging story. Jim Cummings proves to me that he is a Director worth checking out.
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6
rmurray847Aug 10, 2023
WOLF OF SNOW HOLLOW is a difficult film to describe in a meaningful way. Yes, on the surface, it's a werewolf movie. A small town, with an understaffed and undertrained police force, is forced to contend with a supernatural killer. Can theWOLF OF SNOW HOLLOW is a difficult film to describe in a meaningful way. Yes, on the surface, it's a werewolf movie. A small town, with an understaffed and undertrained police force, is forced to contend with a supernatural killer. Can the committed but anger-management challenged sheriff (Jim Cummings) coral his team long enough to track down the creature?

It's a horror movie, yes. But really, it's not that terribly scary. It isn't horrifically gory (but it's a little gory), so you don't have that guilty pleasure. It's also a comedy (surprise!), but not quite a knee-slapper. It isn't a parody movie in the vein of SCARY MOVIE; it mines most of its humor in the bumbling antics of the police and other townspeople.

None of this sounds like a recipe for a very successful movie, and yet there is something about WOLF OF SNOW HOLLOW. Writer/director/star Jim Cummings is a singular filmmaker. He's created a cop-hero who is far from ordinary. He wants to do a good job, but is nearly crippled by either self-doubt/self-loathing or by his own incredibly loose cannon temper. His father, also in law enforcement (and well played by Robert Forster in one of his final roles), counsels him repeatedly, but Cummings is a mess. It's a very interesting and unusual characterization; one that actually feels fresh and surprising. His fellow cops are loyal to him (even the ones smart enough to see his flaws and worry), but he even struggles to see that his peers are on his side and not working against him. The werewolf is almost an externalization of the lycanthrope within him. (Although, to be sure, the movie is not as psychologically heavy as what I just described!). So we watch the movie rooting more for this flawed guy to get his act together rather than to see the werewolf tracked down.

Cummings is ably supported by Forster and by Riki Lindhome, a promising and smart detective who also very much has Cumming's back.

The movie moves at a brisk pace, which is good, since what it doesn't have is a lot of tension. Even though the cops are bungling, we always assume they'll "get their werewolf." Most characters are not terribly well developed and we don't invest much emotionally into what the creature is doing to the town.

Really, in the end, it's just an odd, quirky, singular little film that I enjoyed probably more than I should have. Tough to describe, and difficult to recommend to just anybody, I'm still very glad I saw it. I'll certainly be checking out Cumming's previous effort THUNDER ROAD, and probably anything new he comes up with.
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