“Holy shit – what happened to your shoulder? Do you have rabies or what?”

Story: Teenager Thale has just moved to a new town with her mom, sis, and step-dad. Things are starting to get good, with Thale being invited to her first beach party… But when that party turns into a strange, vicious attack on Thale and two other teens, leaving one girl dead? Things are gonna get weird. *howl*

Scares: Creepy hallucinations, horrific attacks.
Splat Factor: Lots of attacks equal lots of blood, people-shredding, and wrecked bodies.

Subgenre: Norse Teen Wolf Mythology
Year Released: 2022
Remake, Sequel or OG (Original Ghoul)?: Original, but with Norwegian lore you may recognize.

Trick or Treat?: A blend of An American Werewolf in London and Ginger Snaps, this Norwegian howler hits all the same notes as others in the genre. But the sorrowful vibe and Norse mythology bits make it worth a watch.

The focus of the film is on Thale’s police officer mother Liv, and how Liv’s investigation into the attacks lead her to the unthinkable. And as a way to tell this type of story, it works. We’ve seen more than enough Oh Noes I Monster Now stories, and while by and large those tales are awesome? It’s interesting to see a literal different point of view.

With the new wolf on the block, there’s little to know besides the woof-woof. We don’t get too deep into Thale as a character, but the interactions between her, her younger sister Jenny, and her mother, makes her story a poignant one. But then I’m predisposed to like the teen. She’s got an Adam Ant poster in her room. So she’s obviously cool.

As for the horror, Thale’s slow transformation is done with subtle practical FX at first, then a effectively gruesome total transformation. The blood and guts FX are handled with similar realism. The wolf? Well, as one character says, it looks like it’s got scabies… But that’s cool. The CGI for the wolf-out is noticeable, but not silly. And in a few moments, actually touching.

The film ends in a way I won’t spoil here, but will have you thinking about these characters while the credits roll. I’d put this up there with London, Snaps, Howl, Dog Soldiers, and The Howling. Just make sure you’ve got some tissues – and maybe some silver – nearby.

Score: 4 out of 5 pumpkins.