The Wolf of Snow Hollow (2020) Review
The Wolf of Snow Hollow follows officer John Marshall, as a string of grizzly murders strike a small skiing town, leading the townsfolk to believe it to be the work of a werewolf.
After a longer than intended hiatus (I’ve been in the process of moving), I thought we’d settle back into the swing of things with what, on the outset, seemed a fascinating little indy horror. And it very well could’ve been, had writer and director Jim Cummings not also decided on playing the lead as well. See, from a visual standpoint, The Wolf of Snow Hollow checks all the boxes, with some creative, low-budget charm, plenty of gore (that is contrasted brilliantly by the snow), and even some very convincing werewolf elements (who the hell doesn’t like werewolves). Sadly though, that’s where most of the fun ends, as the film tries a Fargo/The Dead Don’t Die style of mixing in eccentric “humor” with the darker events of the movie to little success.
Under the surface as well, Cummings seemingly tries to address the toxic masculinity that’s associated with werewolves historically, but it, like every random but semi-associated plot line he introduces (alcoholism, his daughter going off to college, marriage problems) fizzles out into worthlessness as most of us just want a thrilling, small town, winter horror.
Snow Hollow features a pretty lackluster cast too, starring Annie Hamilton, Kelsey Edwards, Jimmy Tatro, Will Madden, Chloe East, Robert Forster, Riki Lindhome, and Jim Cummings. Cummings, unbeknownst to him I guess, absolutely tanks his own film by starring in it; overacting the max, while creating a protagonist who is as unlikeable as he is overwhelming.
The Wolf of Snow Hollow, directed by Jim Cummings, had all the stylistics of neat indy horror but a string of bad acting, slow pacing, and a nowhere plot keep the film from ever reaching it’s true potential, even after its thrilling climax.
4.2/10
Comments
Post a Comment