Wolfs

Rating 5/10

Okay, so we have two rival fixers, professionals contracted to solve problems for others in challenging situations. Each is separately hired by their respective clients for the same job: clean up a mess in a district attorney’s (Amy Ryan) hotel room. One is Margaret’s man (George Clooney), and the other is Pam’s (Brad Pitt). They never exchange names. They find themselves in a chaotic situation involving a dead body (Austin Abrams) and a bag of drugs. As the night spirals out of control, the fixers must work together, facing off against dangerous criminals while attempting to piece together how they got involved in the first place.

The movie is just as generic as that plot summary sounds. Wolfs is another humdrum crime caper from Apple TV+ featuring reluctant partnerships and high stakes. In August, the streaming service gave us the thematically similar The Instigators. Now, we get a different set of celebrities trying to survive in hazardous criminal environments, realizing they’ve been manipulated by people they trusted or worked for, ultimately leading to an intense standoff. They also share a reliance on dark humor to balance the tension.

Wolfs is marginally better. It delivers more suspense through its twisting mystery. It also boasts greater star power. Watching iconic actors like Pitt and Clooney reunite in the same film should be a must-see for fans. This is a chance to watch the A-listers you loved in the Ocean’s Eleven series. They also shared the screen in 2008’s Burn After Reading. We’ve waited 16 years for a reunion. This should’ve been a lot better. The two are stripped of their usual charisma by a tedious screenplay by director Jonathan Watts (Spider-Man: Homecoming) that reduces them to trading lackluster insults and constant bickering. The dynamic might make more sense if they were playing an old married couple.

Wolfs is a lousy flick coasting on the fading charm of its stars to keep it afloat. Naturally, the picture ends with the hint of a sequel—a prospect I genuinely hope never sees the light of day. If it’s anything like this action comedy, it won’t be howl-arious.

09-26-24