If the story here was meant to be a mystery.

It's not a very well constructed one.

Because the answer is pretty obvious, from, more or less, the get go.

The majority of the plot is laid out with a series of flashbacks.

Intercut with moments from the present, where we watch the main character, William (played by writer/director Wayne David), feed something he keeps locked away in the shed on his property.

While suffering from a series of hallucinations that blur the line between what is real and what is psychological.

To add to the confusion, he refers to "that thing in the woods" as something different than what he is keeping in the shed.

Either way, it's supposed to be, partly a werewolf film, and partly an isolation induced psychological horror.

Though, not a whole lot goes on in the first two thirds of the film.

When the action does, eventually, kick off.

It's very underwhelming.

Merely being a bunch of growls in combination with some perspective shots.

So, short of actually seeing the creature...you are left to wonder if there are even any wolves at all.

Or if it is he, who is the only monster in the film.

For being, what is effectively, a one man show...with Wayne David having written, directed, and starring in the film...it's somewhat laudable.

Not being without it's merits.

Though, suffering from slow pacing, and lacking any real payoff, in the end.

Which, when combined with the sub par acting effort put forward...leaves you wondering why you invested the time to sit through it.

To his credit...he does throw a twist in, but it doesn't come to the very end of the film.

So, while it does tie up the loose ends, it seems little compensation for enduring through the rest of the film.

It's not too bad though.

And David certainly shows promise as a filmmaker.

I would like to see what he can do with a bit of a bigger budget.

Which would allow him to incorporate more special effects, and make the story a bit more exciting.

Because it kind of felt like a chore to sit through.

4.5 out of 10.

Wolf Garden (2023) is a British movie that I recently watched on Shudder and is also available on Tubi. The storyline follows a man who has decided to live by himself in the woods after something bad has happened. He is haunted by visions of a woman and starts feeling like there's something in the woods watching him. As the man's story unfolds we uncover why the man lives alone, who the woman is/was and how it relates to the feeling of being watched.

This movie is written, directed by and stars Wayne David, in his directorial debut, and also stars Sian Altman (The House of Van Helsing), Grant Masters (Dark Encounter) and Jake Wood (The Illusionist).

This movie had the potential to be a solid character piece based on the circumstances, settings and subtle horror elements. The background growling for the beast was well done, but we needed way more scenes of the creature instead of just noises. The acting was average and fit the storyline. The ending "big reveal" was a let down, as was the transformation scene.

Overall, there's really nothing going on in this rare slow burn werewolf picture. I would score this a 3/10 and recommend skipping it.