Today’s quick review: Brotherhood of the Wolf. In 1765, famed naturalist Gregoire de Fronsac (Samuel Le Bihan) and his partner Mani (Mark Dacascos) travel to a French province to investigate reports of a wolf-like beast that has been terrorizing the countryside. The two men begin gathering evidence to determine just what type of beast it is, but they soon find that the situation is more complicated—and more dangerous—than they accounted for.
Brotherhood of the Wolf is an action movie, adventure, and mystery set in France two decades before the revolution. The movie revolves around Gregoire de Fronsac’s investigation into a rash of killings alleged to have been perpetrated by an enormous wolf. De Fronsac must separate fact from fiction and navigate a delicate political maze to get to the truth of the matter and determine whether the culprit is man, animal, or something more.
Brotherhood of the Wolf handles its mystery well. Gregoire and Mani are capable hunters with keen minds, and their methodical investigation soon shows that not all is as it seems. The politics of the hunt, the conflicting evidence from the beast’s attacks, and the various opinions and ulterior motives of the local nobles turn what could have been a simple monster hunt into a complex and satisfying mystery that keeps the viewer guessing.
Brotherhood of the Wolf supplements its mystery with some solid action. Gregoire and Mani are both accomplished fighters, using martial arts to fend off trouble whenever they need to. Their acrobatic fighting style can be an odd fit within the otherwise sober, grounded story, but the quality of the choreography makes it worthwhile. The action scenes inject just the right amount of danger into the investigation and give it some good payoff.
Brotherhood of the Wolf does an excellent job of bringing 1760s France to life, with a keen eye for detail in its costumes, sets, and background information. The world is populated by a broad supporting cast, including Jean-Francois (Vincent Cassel), a one-armed ex-hunter; Sylvia (Monica Bellucci), a beguiling courtesan; Marquise d’Apcher (Hans Meyer), an eager young noble; and Marianne (Emilie Dequenne), Gregoire’s love interest.
Watch Brotherhood of the Wolf when you’re in the mood for a well-played mystery with a hint of the supernatural or an action movie with an unusual amount of meat on its bones. Solid craftsmanship and a fine balance between plot and spectacle make Brotherhood of the Wolf a strong pick for anyone willing to invest in its story. Skip it if you’re looking for an action movie with a simpler plot or a purely intellectual mystery.
For a suspenseful mystery with a similar premise, try The Village. For a schlockier take on monster hunting, try Van Helsing. For another story in the same vein with more overt fantasy, a more morbid tone, and Monica Bellucci, try The Brothers Grimm.
7.1 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.0 to 7.5 for satisfying mix of mystery and action.