This Gothic Werewolf Horror Movie is Worth a Watch

While there have been some great werewolf horror movies throughout the ages, many fail to sit with the viewer long after their release. Of course, a classic like An American Werewolf in London still delivers the thrills of lycanthrope thrills, but many don’t capture that eerie, gothic nature of the genre’s stalwarts.

Enter 2021’s The Cursed, which was originally named Eight for Silver (an admittedly much-cooler name). This fairly lower-budget horror from director Sean Ellis may not have had the mainstream buzz as other genre entries over recent years, but it’s a deserving mention given its spooky atmosphere, meticulous slow-burn nature, shocking gore, and interesting spin on the werewolf lore (not to mention the creepiest scarecrow you’ve ever seen).

The film follows a pathologist who is hired to investigate a disappearance in the French countryside after some unusual events take place. Most of the movie takes place a haunting manor and in the surrounding fog-swamped woods, making for a smaller but far more intimate horror affair.

The intriguing setting is bolstered by a really unique spin, with the werewolf element being a curse put on the land by gypsys, who were forcefully removed from the location. It involves a set of razor-sharp teeth made from silver, and the whole thing is just awesome, giving another layer to the lore, execution, and understanding of werewolves in this world.

On top of that, the cast is pretty solid, with Boyd Holbrook (Logan) leading the charge with a great performance, along with some standout supporting actors and actresses.

On the downside, the CGI isn’t the best, but thankfully it’s used sparingly and some more disorienting cinematography, clever shots, and a ‘less is more’ approach make up for some of the budget shortcomings with the werewolves.

Overall, The Cursed is a solid entry into the werewolf genre, leaning on some of the hallmarks of the gothic aesthetic, while bringing some shocking moments that will feel fresh to even those well-versed in the creature-feature department.