Early Teen Wolf: The Movie reviews have started to come out ahead of the highly anticipated revival film's release. One of the most popular fantasy series is making a comeback after ending its run only a few years ago. Based on the 1985 film, Teen Wolf was a reimagined take on the Michael J. Fox-starring movie. Launched in 2011, it was constructed as a gritty, supernatural drama that became one of MTV's biggest shows of all time. The series came to an end in 2017 after running for 100 episodes, but after being off the air for years, Teen Wolf: The Movie is on its way to Paramount+ later this week.
As Teen Wolf: The Movie arrives on the streaming service in a few days, several members of the press have been able to screen the revival film in advance. So far, their reactions are pretty mixed. Check out several spoiler-free samples of what reviewers say about the highly anticipated Teen Wolf reunion movie below:
Molly Freeman, Screen Rant
In the end, Teen Wolf: The Movie is really only for fans of the original show, with there being too much history - both in terms of the characters and the mythology - for newcomers to truly appreciate the events of the film. But it's unlikely to fully satisfy even the diehard fans either, even if there's some wicked enjoyment to be had seeing the Teen Wolf characters finally get to swear. Teen Wolf: The Movie is perhaps the best continuation Davis, Mulcahy and the cast could hope for given what they had to work with, but it's still ultimately a disappointing return to Beacon Hills.
Brandon Zachary, CBR
Teen Wolf: The Movie is very much of the same caliber as the show it's revisiting, a knowingly campy return that'll be a delight for fans of the original series. Even when the stakes are at their most extreme, Teen Wolf still finds a way to insert some goofy snark or impromptu lacrosse. Designed with fans of the series very much in mind but well enough constructed for those coming in fresh, Teen Wolf: The Movie is a blast for anyone looking to return to Beacon Hill, serving as a solid continuation of the original show that purposefully leaves the door open for the future.
Brian Kitson, The Cosmic Circus
Overall, I enjoyed this movie for what it was. Sure it was a little long, but it was nice to have another adventure with these beloved characters. I think the way it ended also left the door open for more, which if this film is a hit I think will definitely happen. I would love to see some more from Scott and the gang. If you were a fan of the series, you should definitely check this out. Even if you’re not, you might enjoy the film. It had plenty of action, a bit of horror, and m of funny lines that made me laugh. So if you’re ready for something supernatural, this is the perfect film many or you to enjoy this weekend.
Anna Menta, Decider
The appeal of Teen Wolf, from the beginning, was said cast. O’Brien—who played the best friend of lead teen werewolf Scott McCall—was best friends with star Tyler Posey in real life, and the fans ate it up. Whether it was true or just for PR, everyone on the show seemed at least a little bit into one another, and it bled into their performances. It’s the reason there are over 130,000 fan fiction works about Teen Wolf published on Archive of Our Own, and it’s the reason most viewers were tuning in weekly, despite the increasingly confusing and depressing plot. Whether because of O’Brien’s absence, the years spent apart, the rushed production, or something else, that chemistry was nowhere to be found in Teen Wolf: The Movie. All that’s left is a gloomy, overstuffed film that rips off one too many horror tropes, starring actors that we used to know. If you love Teen Wolf to the point that you’d do anything to spend a few more hours in Beacon Hills, go ahead and give it a stream. But if you’re a casual fan who was in it for Stiles and supernatural teenage fun, don’t bother. Stick with the fanfiction.
Josh Martin-Jones, The Streamr
I really look forward to seeing fan reactions to this film. Hopefully dedicated fans of the show take something from it at least. I for one, will not be watching the show after this – as I was not sold on the concept whatsoever! Despite some moments which add a spruce of excitement to the film, nothing could prepare you for this boring, convoluted mess of cheesy dialogue and hot werewolves.
Selina Sondermann, The Up Coming
Because, make no mistake, Teen Wolf: The Movie is purely fan service. Already the title is somewhat misleading: instead of an actual movie, we are dealing with a paint-by-numbers episode that just happens to be three times as long. Without a “previously on…” summary, the viewer is thrown in at the deep end and must try to navigate the characters and lore for themselves. Despite the comparatively little “show” and overabundance of “tell”, the film is still hard to follow for those unfamiliar with the series. It leaves it up to its audience to google terms like “Nogitsune” and “Oni” while the rest of the script oscillates between dry demon-fighting shop talk and light banter, without finding an organic balance between the two. There is no cinematic offset either. Camerawork and editing focus merely on coverage and continuity. The visual effects do not reflect any technical advancement and appear careless, down to the plastered prosthetic wolf faces. Clearly, the appeal of this sequel lies in revisiting the teen wolves now that they are no longer teenagers, but the execution begs the question whether those in charge also considered that its audience may have grown up as well.
Janet A. Leigh, Digital Spy
That said, Teen Wolf: The Movie succeeds in the most basic if not crucial way. It makes us care. We care about these characters, all over again. We deeply invest in their stories root for them and in turn the events of the story really matter, even if at times it feels a little like a Rubik's cube trying to puzzle things out thanks to the dense information. It's heavy on the nostalgia and for that reason is undoubtedly for the fans, serving them heaps of feels. Casual watchers may feel a little disoriented but there’s still plenty to enjoy. We would love to give it a solid four stars (and maintain that if you a diehard Teen Wolf-er that’s the rating you should lean into) but for the sake of those trying to figure out the significance of all these beautifully peppered Easter eggs that require background knowledge, we’ll be a little fairer.
Maggie Fremont, TV Guide
Teen Wolf: The Movie takes such great care to set up everyone's character arc, and then so many get almost no real resolution (the most egregious being that of a certain wailing woman). Remember how I said the series deftly wrapped things up? Well, there's a whole handful of loose strings left at the end of this movie. Even if that was done on purpose in order to show there's still life in this franchise (the ending certainly makes a case for a sequel), it leaves things frustratingly incomplete. Call me old fashioned, but I'd rather devote time to rich character development than spend precious minutes figuring out a ridiculous way to get Scott McCall, an adult man (werewolf) back on a high school lacrosse field. But Teen Wolf is going to Teen Wolf, I guess!
Leigh Doyle, Midgard Times
The first half an hour or 45 minutes work well for the movie. It has the typical feeling and vibe of the original series but with a bigger production value from the outset. The novelty of finding out what the characters have been up to is enough to keep you interested. There is a particular moment when you see M.D at the end of Melissa McCall’s (Melissa Ponzio) name which feels right, as does Lydia working with sound to create a new green energy and Scott owning an animal shelter next to Deaton’s practice while rescuing animals in his free time that fits perfect and others that do not like Derek (Tyler Hoechlin) owning an auto shop. As for any verbal mention of Stiles…you’ll find them fleeting. There is an obvious Dylan O’Brien-shaped hole, but the movie tries and fails to fill it with Eli Hale (Vince Mattis).
Haley, Nerds And Beyond
The pacing toward the end is a little too quick. Trying to fit so much story into the last 20-25 minutes while simultaneously wrapping up all the loose ends leaves a lot to be desired. It’s not perfect, but it does set up an interesting future for the Teen Wolf universe. With Jeff Davis inking a multi-year deal with Paramount+ in 2021, only time will tell if anything comes to fruition. The film does its best to stay faithful to the fans, but be prepared to undergo a rollercoaster of emotions across the 2-hour time frame. Teen Wolf: The Movie is an action-packed, emotional, full-circle conclusion to one of the most popular teen series of all time.
Everything We Know About Teen Wolf: The Movie
Teen Wolf: The Movie will take place almost 15 years after the series finale, showing the characters being older and at different paths in their lives. Paramount+ teases that "a terrifying evil has emerged," which brings Scott McCall back to Beacon Hill. With the new threat rising, it also sees the return of banshees, Kitsunes, werecoyotes, and various shapeshifters. Teen Wolf creator Jeff Davis penned the script, while Russell Mulcahy directed the movie.
The majority of the Teen Wolf cast is returning in the Paramount+ movie, which is also introducing a few new players. Original cast members Tyler Posey (Scott McCall), Crystal Reed (Allison Argent), Holland Roden (Lydia Martin), Colton Haynes (Jackson Whittemore), and Tyler Hoechlin (Derek Hale) are all back for the new adventure. Both Posey and Hoechlin have producer credits for Teen Wolf: The Movie. Unfortunately, Dylan O'Brien is not reprising the role of Stiles, although the character is referenced in the movie. One of the major new characters that the movie will be introducing is Vince Mattis as Eli Hale, Derek's son.
Why Teen Wolf: The Movie Reviews Are Mixed
While Teen Wolf: The Movie is a mixed bag for critics, it's key to remember that this is just the first batch of reviews. Time will tell what other reviewers say about Teen Wolf: The Movie, especially once full-on spoiler discussions start taking place. Based on the first responses, it seems that many feel that the Teen Wolf revival is missing a lot of the key ingredients that made the show as strong as it was. Whether it's the lack of important characters like Stiles to a new tone, it will be intriguing to see what fans say later this week. Teen Wolf: The Movie has a lot of questions to answer, including how Allison returns, and the world will know in just a few days when it premieres on Paramount+
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