Is Werewolf By Night safe for kids? Is Werewolf By Night OK for children? Read the Werewolf By Night Review | Safe for Kids?, an honest parent guide and mom review of the all-new Marvel special mini movie episode for Halloween, streaming exclusively on Disney+. No spoilers! #WerewolfByNight May contain commissioned links.
Werewolf by Night Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide
Talk about a throwback Thursday! In yet another first for Marvel, Disney+ is releasing an exclusive “Special Presentation,” just in time for Halloween. But does this classic monster horror release have families seeing in black and white – or nightmares at bedtime?
In this Werewolf By Night Review | Safe for Kids?, I’m breaking down the visuals, the story, a full TV-14 age rating explanation for violence, adult themes and language, and what kids’ age recommendation is recommended to watch this all-new Marvel special in this full parents guide to the mini movie. A no-spoiler parent review of the new streaming episode, how does Werewolf by Night compare to Moon Knight, Hawkeye, Loki, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, WandaVision, and the other Marvel movies that we love?
Is Werewolf By Night for kids? Or should parents give this new Marvel special the silver bullet?
The Visuals
In a love letter to classic monster horror films, Werewolf By Night takes a huge visual risk by presenting this Marvel special presentation as a old-time black and white film. All of the nostalgia, down to the eerie music, creepy monsters and scratched film projector effects are included. Presenting an old genre as a new concept in the MCU is genius. Visually confusing and chaotic yet ultimately mystifying for the Marvel audience, it’s another refreshing take on the MCU.
Photosensitivity warning. For viewers prone to epilepsy and photosensitivity, Werewolf By Night does not pose seizure inducing scenes with flashing or strobing lights. There’s some mild lightning effects, but the old school black and white film visuals tone down the results.
The Story
Michael Giacchino, known as a successful musical composer for both TV (ABC’s “Lost,”) and countless high profile movies (“The Incredibles,” “Rogue One,” “Thor: Love and Thunder“) directs Werewolf By Night in his first Marvel special project following his directing debut for short film “Monster Challenge.” Another huge risk for Marvel, this newly recognized director takes the Marvel stage alongside stars Laura Donnelly (HBO’s “The Nevers“) as Ela Bloodstone, Gael García Bernal (“Coco“) as Jack Russell, and Harriet Sansom Harris (“Frasier“) as Verussa.
This is not your typical Marvel release. First of all, it’s “special presentation” as in a Halloween special – mini movie – long episode. Second, it’s unlike any other Marvel production you have ever seen. Once again, Marvel astounds us with yet another genre, another curveball to the Marvel formula with roots based on the 1970’s comic books by the same name.
A throwback to the classic monster horror films, this ode to the old Hollywood genre still provides twists and turns that only the year 2022 can produce. You won’t have to worry about trying to connect any MCU dots or waiting around for any end credit scenes. A horror film for horror film’s sake, Werewolf By Night is definitely a refreshing Marvel surprise.
Werewolf By Night TV-14 Rating Explained
Is Werewolf By Night safe for kids? As we all know, not every Marvel release is the same. And with Marvel pushing the envelope on TV-14 and PG-13 ratings these days (remember a surprising Moon Knight series or the shocking Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness film with horror sprinkled throughout?), some could say that kids are no longer welcome to the super hero party.
So is this new Marvel special presentation about to shock our television screens again? Or is this more of the Marvel predictable age rating for kids like Loki and Hawkeye?
Why is Werewolf By Night rated TV-14? In this Werewolf By Night Review | Safe for Kids?, this Marvel special presentation is rated TV-14 LV for “language and violence.” With film and TV ratings also unpredictable these days, having fully disclosed parent guidelines can help determine if a movie or television show like Werewolf By Night is kid friendly – and worth paying those Disney+ subscription fees. (Turning Red controversy ringing any bells?) Is Werewolf By Night for kids? Or are there red flags for parents under this monster mash? Let’s breakdown that TV-14 age rating in this Werewolf By Night parents guide.
Adult Themes. I can honestly say that Werewolf By Night is very mild when it comes to adult themes. Mostly dealing with witchcraft-like chanting rituals and hooded figures, this Marvel special has a toe dipped in mystical incantations, but not too heavily. A light theme of grief exists, but mostly used for dark comedic relief.
Language. Michael Giacchino doesn’t monster mash on words. For a short special, there are plenty of swear words and bad language phrases of 2022 to go around. Swear words include “b@stard,” “@ss,” sh!t,” and “h-e-double-hockey-sticks,” along with potentially offensive phrase of “what the f-” (word cut off), and one mild insult of “idiot.”
Violence/Suspense. Human dismemberment, large amounts of blood and gore, corpses, use of weapons including axes, swords, arrows, along with shock sticks (Loki nod?) and gruesome hand-to-hand fighting is present, torture, pain, fire, scary monsters and imagery (including suspense thriller type jump scares with visuals and music similar to a classic monster horror/suspense film). And if it wasn’t already obvious, in your face brutal killings. Parents, take note.
***Werewolf By Night is BY FAR the most violent and suspenseful Marvel film production currently in the MCU. Sorry, Moon Knight. You’ve been replaced.
Werewolf By Night Age Rating for Kids
At a runtime of 54 minutes, one would think this Marvel special film would be the perfect length for kids. But with horror level of gruesome violence throughout, suspenseful scenes, language and heavy dialogue, Marvel’s Werewolf By Night is NOT kid friendly. Teen friendly, maybe? (Moon Knight fans, this would be the “next step” up in violence and intensity.) But toddlers and little kids who love Avengers? Definitely not.
This Marvel special presentation is most comparable to the black and white horror films of the early 1950s with a twist of the 1970s comic book.
This original Marvel special presentation streaming on Disney+ is rated TV-14 LV for “language and violence.“
No, this Marvel special presentation has no end credit scenes to stay for. Irony.
Based on my Werewolf By Night parents guide and mom review, your child’s sensitivity to nightmares, wild imaginations, fear/trauma from movies would be the biggest factors to consider before watching this film. Werewolf By Night is too scary for kids. Period. I do not recommend young children to watch this Marvel special presentation.
Considering the full TV-14 rating breakdown above, this parent movie reviewer would not recommend Marvel’s Werewolf By Night to kids younger than the age of 13-14 years old.
I recommend parents to prescreen the new Marvel special Halloween featured film for horror, violence and language. This Marvel production would be considered just one step below a TV-MA rating if the entire film was in color and not in black and white. Something to definitely keep in mind. However, if your kids are really into horror films and enjoy suspense thrillers as well, then Werewolf By Night would be a welcomed special to watch.
The Overall
You’re either into classic monster horror films or not. Honestly, I’m not. I don’t like horror or suspense/thrillers, which is why I love staying in my PG, Disney “happily ever after” lane. But watching Werewolf By Night, even I was feeling monster movie nostalgic (between scenes of me covering my eyes – I’m a baby, I know.)
Marvel’s Werewolf By Night is yet another surprising MCU production that will have horror fans HOWLING for more. Another more mature Marvel release for older die-hard fans, this is yet another firm reminder that not ALL Marvel movies and shows are for kids in Phase IV and phases moving forward.
I applaud Marvel yet again for taking big risks in their cinematic universe. The twists and surprises certainly keep us on our toes. I just hope that Marvel isn’t permanently pushing out a huge following of families and kids who love the MCU too.
Follow Werewolf By Night on social media:
- Website: https://ondisneyplus.disney.com/movie/werewolf-by-night
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DisneyPlus/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/disneyplus
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/disneyplus/
- #WerewolfByNight
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Marvel’s Werewolf By Night, a special Halloween mini-movie premieres exclusively streaming on Disney+ on Friday October 7, 2022. Will your family be watching?
I was invited to screen Marvel’s Werewolf By Night movie in exchange for this Werewolf By Night Review | Safe for Kids? Parents Guide. All photos courtesy of Marvel/Disney. Be sure to follow Raising Whasians for more movie updates, celebrity interviews, entertainment and behind-the-scenes info!
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