Out Come the Wolves presents a visceral clash of man versus nature, where survival becomes a bloody test of endurance, albeit one that doesn’t always align with common sense. The plot revolves around a journalist and his fiancé joining her best friend for a weekend hunting trip in the wilderness, which quickly spirals into a nightmare. The film utilizes sharp camerawork, rapid edits, and a growling soundtrack to build tension, compensating for a script that occasionally falters. Initially, the characters are introduced with believable backstories, but they soon fall prey to the genre’s typical pitfalls, transforming seemingly intelligent individuals into fodder for the plot. An attempt to infuse more cerebral elements into the story falls flat as logical inconsistencies emerge.

Title: Out Come the Wolves

Rating: 2/5

Rating Category: R

Genres: Thriller, Horror, Action

Synopsis: Three friends venture into the woods for a weekend hunting trip, only to find themselves becoming the hunted.

Release Date: August 30, 2024

Director: Adam MacDonald

Cast: Damon Runyan, Joris Jarsky, Missy Peregrym

Runtime: 1h 27m

Writers: Adam MacDonald, Enuka Okuma, Joris Jarsky

Distributors: IFC Films, Shudder

Pros: Adam MacDonald’s direction is visually stylish and successfully builds tension.

Cons: The film’s plot disintegrates as characters make increasingly illogical decisions. Despite good direction, the action sequences often feel mindless and devoid of realism.

Expanded Plot Overview:

Kyle (Joris Jarsky) rides his ATV deep into the forest, heading toward a secluded cabin. He is greeted by Sophie (Missy Peregrym), his longtime best friend and an adept hunter. Sophie is surprised to see Kyle arrive alone, as he was supposed to bring his girlfriend along. Nolan (Damon Runyan), Sophie’s urbanite partner, is visibly displeased with this change.

Sophie and Kyle share laughs while Nolan, growing increasingly jealous, tries to focus on writing. The hunting trip was planned for Nolan’s upcoming article about stepping out of one’s comfort zone. Being a meat eater, Nolan wants to experience firsthand the act of hunting his own food—understanding that bacon doesn’t just appear on his plate.

Kyle is taken aback when he learns that Sophie has turned vegan and no longer hunts. Consequently, Kyle must teach Nolan how to hunt. Nolan proves to be inept with both bows and guns during Kyle’s lessons. Tensions rise as Kyle harbors unspoken feelings for Sophie, while she hopes in vain that the two men will get along. The next morning, Kyle and Nolan leave Sophie at the cabin and embark on a hunting expedition that will challenge them in unexpected ways.

Visual Style and Tension:

Adam MacDonald, transitioning from actor (Rookie Blue, Being Erica) to director (Backcountry, Slasher), opens the film with a striking visual—a dense forest seen upside-down slowly rotating into view, accompanied by the almost deafening roar of an ATV engine. He employs dynamic 360-degree wrap-around shots that capture the characters’ interactions at the cabin. MacDonald’s direction imbues a seemingly straightforward environment with an ominous undertone, setting a foreboding tone from the start.

Inside the cabin, reaction shots highlight Nolan’s discomfort as he witnesses Kyle and Sophie’s close relationship. The focus shifts as Kyle observes Sophie’s affection for Nolan—a man he deems unworthy. MacDonald effectively captures this palpable unease within the confined space of the cabin. However, as the film progresses into its more savage second act, the script’s weaknesses become apparent.

Logical Inconsistencies:

While Out Come the Wolves aims to thrill, it also stumbles. The hunt exposes Kyle and Nolan’s differences at a critical moment, staying true to their established characters. Unfortunately, their sudden loss of common sense undermines the narrative. The film falls into the trope of ‘dumb people in the woods,’ detracting from its potential.

Kyle and Nolan are well-armed with guns, bows, and knives. While it’s plausible for Nolan to fumble with his weapons due to inexperience, it strains credibility for Kyle—an elite hunter familiar with the terrain—to make similar mistakes. MacDonald suggests that fear can lead to ineptitude in life-threatening situations, but this rationale fails when characters act unrealistically despite their skills. Wolves are dangerous predators but not invincible against bullets and arrows.

Sophie’s Role:

Sophie’s eventual involvement in the action also raises questions. Her sudden presence in the woods feels contrived and can’t be fully explained without revealing spoilers. Like Kyle, she’s depicted as a skilled hunter, yet she struggles inexplicably against the wolves. These wolves don’t exhibit cunning intelligence; their behavior is illogical as they ignore easier prey to target the main characters.

Overall Impression:

Adam MacDonald deserves recognition for his stylish approach to directing. He brings visual flair to a predictable script that unfolds exactly as expected. While Out Come the Wolves offers cheap thrills, it squanders an opportunity to delve deeper into themes of human nature and male competition. Viewers must suspend disbelief to accept this story.

Out Come the Wolves is produced by December Films and High Park Entertainment. It will have a concurrent theatrical and VOD release through IFC Films and Shudder. Available on digital platforms like Apple TV, YouTube, Fandango at Home, and Prime Video.

Watch on Prime Video