Late Phases

A very bizarre mix of werewolf horror and a drama about ageing and coming to terms with the past. If it’d had an A-list Hollywood director and budget, it could have been a fundamental multi-genre movie, but it didn’t and it shuffles on one place, with dodgy make-up effects that prevent the villains from causing much fear. But it’s alright, the concept of the monthly preparations for the next werewolf attack is original and Nick Damici imprints inimitable charisma to his grouchy, tough character. To watch once and weak 3*. (22.10.2019)

I had higher hopes for Late Phases when I read the blurb about a blind veteran who decides to take on werewolves, but the film was a bit disappointing. I found it unnecessarily talky and, except for the first attack and the ending, quite stripped of action. I liked that the film doesn’t rely on CGI effects for the visuals of the werewolves, but used costumes and makeup, so the monsters looked quite realistic, albeit clumsy. I had quite a problem sympathizing with the main character Ambrose, though, I mostly didn't care about his fate. If you leave out the horror aspect, it’s a pretty shallow family drama. (23.10.2020)

Late Phases is a film that won't dazzle you with any new approach to the werewolf subgenre, nor will it impress you with the intricacy of its plot, but it is very well-crafted, with well-developed characters and also special effects where someone has again attempted to make the werewolf look good on screen. I acknowledge that, and for this reason, I appreciate Late Phases and I’m definitely giving it an above-average rating. (20.05.2016)