The Cycle is the best werewolf movie in many many years and it takes the spot for the most terrifying one of all time. The werewolf is not just incredibly strong, resilient and creepy, but also SMART. It’s not your traditional lycanthrope, it’s a fresh take on the werewolf lore, a very unique and more disturbing one and absolutely loved it.
The story follows Meg, a brilliant forensic anthropologist, who gets contacted by the police after they find the remains of her father at a gruesome crime scene. They have no connection why his body was there or how it got there, he went missing without a trace 36 years ago.
The first half of the film is all about the investigation, which might be slow to some, but it builds nicely and absolutely pays off. As someone who doesn’t enjoy slow burns, I was entertained throughout, it was very interesting and never felt it should have been shorter.
The second half is action packed with horrific kills and some of the greatest practical effects of all time. Director Jordan Downey had a zero cgi policy and that worked out well. Patrick Magee and his team MageeFX was responsible for the werewolf and the transformation and they did and incredible job, it’s so very impressive. The change is most certainly NIGHTMARE INDUCING and the final form of the wolf is just as scary looking. I did not think a werewolf could creep me out.
Very happy with this film and that after so many years we finally got a great werewolf movie, I highly recommend it, even if you are not a fan of werewolves. This one is unique and worth watching for the practical effects alone. It streams on Shudder and there will be a physical release on December 3, which you can pre-order right now on Amazon, go watch it and tell me what you think!
