Reuniting after 16 years, Brad Pitt and George Clooney light up the screen once again with electrifying chemistry, each holding their own demeanor to perfection. Both actors deliver phenomenal performances, playing calm yet calculating cleanup guys in what is expected to be the first of many installments. The real strength of Wolfs lies in their screen time together—the tension of their reluctant partnership, the witty exchanges, and the growing realization of their striking similarities that bind the movie together.
A Slowly Unfolding Mystery
The film unfolds like a tightly furled flower, with each petal slowly revealing itself. It starts abruptly, with minimal dialogue, immersing the audience in the same sense of confusion that Clooney’s character experiences at the beginning. As the plot unravels, we are led to understand that there’s a larger game at play—what seems obvious is not quite what it appears to be.
Writer-director Jon Watts plays with subtlety, hiding crucial details in unspoken words and implied conversations, which leaves us questioning the strength of the screenplay. Much of the dialogue is insinuated rather than spoken outright, making the film heavily reliant on its actors. Fortunately, Pitt and Clooney are more than capable of carrying the weight of the film, their performances elevating the otherwise sparse script.
Weak Plot and Underwhelming Ending
However, the story itself lacks substance. The film begins with a jolt and then stutters to an abrupt halt. In his quest to be inventive and clever, Jon Watts misses the mark on the most essential aspect—content. The plot, while intriguing, doesn’t pack enough punch to leave the audience fully satisfied. The ending feels underwhelming, leaving you wishing it had at least concluded with some action.
Yet, what’s instantly appealing about Wolfs is the clear setup for future sequels. The universe created promises more action, or at least more of the humorous back-and-forth between the protagonists as they continue to mock each other’s styles, which are in fact very similar.
Missed Opportunities and Character Development
That being said, the film has its flaws in both writing and execution. For example, the revelation about the kid being alive should have derailed the plot entirely, but instead, the story continues, buoyed only by Clooney’s character’s drug-induced haze and unanswered questions.
We never learn the characters’ names, which feels like a missed opportunity. A climactic action sequence followed by the revelation of their names would have made for a more satisfying conclusion. But again, that’s a personal opinion.
Austin Abrams, who plays the kid in the movie, starts off as a fun element but loses his charm due to a lack of sharp humor. His innocence serves as the driving force behind the slight change of heart in Clooney’s character, but it isn’t fully explored.
Conclusion: Waiting for More
Despite its shortcomings, Wolfs leaves viewers anticipating the next installment. It feels like the beginning of something bigger—a promising setup that could bring more exciting encounters. I’m eager to see who Pam and Lagrange are, more of the Albanians, and most importantly, more of the legendary screen time shared by Pitt and Clooney.
Wolfs
Pros
- Brad Pitt and Georgy Clooney
- Entertaining and Inventive
- Opens room for future sequels
Cons
- Poor Screenplay
- Underdeveloped story
- Average humor
