I’m always up for a Frank Grillo movie. This man has an impressive filmography, starting off as a supporting actor, you know, that guy you see in a lot of movies but don’t know his name, to becoming a lead himself. Many of the movies he stars in are off the wall, fun, and a bit weird. With Frank Grillo’s movie, you literally know what you’re getting.

But frankly, this one left me scratching my head. If you’re in the market for a bizarre, campy werewolf movie that feels like a mash-up of The Purge and some offbeat 1980s B-movie, then “Werewolves” might be your late night cup of tea. Directed by Steven C. Miller, produced on what feels like a shoestring budget. Werewolves is about two scientists trying to find a way to stop people from turning into werewolves under a supermoon. Unfortunately, the final product is more chaotic than compelling.

Over-the-top lighting and sound

Let’s start with the most blatant distraction: the nonstop flashing lights and in-your-face music that drown out most of the action. It’s as though the filmmakers were trying to mask a lack of budget with strobe effects and deafening scores. Honestly, it’s headache-inducing. There’s never a chance to enjoy what little there is of the movie because you’re too busy adjusting your eyes and plugging your ears. If you’re someone prone to migraines, or you just don’t like being blinded, then consider watching this film in the day and maybe with the volume turned down.

Hit-or-miss special effects (mostly miss)

For a movie that was released in theaters, you’d expect better creature designs or, at the very least, a decent horror vibe. Instead, we get werewolves that look more like oversized dogs. The prosthetic approach is somewhat admirable (practical effects can be great in the right hands), but the execution here is painfully corny. The transformation scenes are actually one of the few semi decent parts. They’re not perfect, but they showcase some practical effort.

The lack of plot and logic

The story is a hodgepodge of half-baked ideas. Frank Grillo’s role is written as both a military man and an elite scientist, capable of single-handedly saving the world. There’s practically zero explanation for how he’s equally skilled in weaponry and test tubes. You just have to roll with it.

Societal collapse seemed so sudden. The movie leaps from a relatively contained crisis to a full blown apocalypse in what feels like twenty minutes. Suddenly, there’s graffiti everywhere, an underground cult, and a rogue militia. It’s as if the entire city went from normal life to “Mad Max” levels of anarchy overnight.

Despite these glaring flaws, there’s an odd charm if you enjoy trashy creature features. From corny lines to overdone howls, “Werewolves” was so bad that it was kinda fun. You can tell at moments they’re shooting for a cult classic vibe with the overacting, plastic costumes, and bad dialogue all included. Some people might find themselves grinning at the sheer absurdity, especially if you’re watching with friends who can appreciate an occasional cinematic train wreck.

“Werewolves” is by no means a good movie; the characters make baffling decisions, and the costumes look like something rescued from a dusty warehouse. Yet, if you approach it with zero expectations, it might be so bad that it’s entertaining.

• Watch It If: You enjoy laughing at questionable dialogue, overdone prosthetics, and campy transformations.
• Skip It If: You’re expecting tension, consistent logic, or even halfway decent CGI.

In short, “Werewolves” is one of those movies that seems determined to become a B-movie cult classic but tries way too hard in the process. You’ll likely walk away scratching your head, or maybe, just maybe, smirking at the ridiculousness of it all. As for me, I can’t say it was time well spent, but I can’t deny it was memorable. Sometimes, you just need a little cinematic cheese in your life, even if it leaves you groaning more than gasping.