Nerdly » ‘Wolf Garden’ VOD Review

21st Feb2023

‘Wolf Garden’ VOD Review

by James Rodrigues

Stars: Wayne David, Sian Altman, Grant Masters, Jake Wood, Maddy Myles | Written and Directed by Wayne David

In the dead of night in the British countryside, all is still throughout an isolated house. The silence is initially broken by a ticking clock and a dripping tap, before a howling wolf outside stirs William (Wayne David) awake. This sound is followed by a woman crying in his bathroom, yet a look inside shows nobody in there. Star/writer/director/producer David highlights the situation well, as the lead struggles in isolation while haunted by visions of the woman he loves and a mysterious creature nearby.

The title Wolf Garden suggests what creature lurks outside, although the feature takes a different angle by focusing on the ramifications of the unseen terrors, as captured on people’s faces and in their actions. This decision could be due to budgetary constraints, yet it works as these are the strongest moments which leaves viewers wondering what led to William’s routine involving raw meat and a locked shed. What’s less effective are the horror attempts which rely on loud noises punctuating the quiet periods, leaving viewers to feel like they’ve been shocked by a cattle prod instead of experiencing genuine terror.

William’s characterization is informed by flashbacks to fond memories, remembering a simpler time when his biggest worry was potentially moving to somewhere too quiet. These scenes are twinged with sadness at what was lost, while a brighter look colours this fond reflection down memory lane compared to the murky-looking present which feels overwhelmingly bleak.

While the events which led to William’s countryside isolation are held back, viewers can piece together the truths effortlessly as subtlety isn’t this film’s biggest strength. An abundance of dream sequences serves to hammer home the apparent points about the lead’s anxieties, while dialogue can be too on the nose. When William’s girlfriend makes him promise something, there are no prizes for guessing how that will affect the story. Despite this, the lead’s struggles ground the story as he desperately tries avoiding a much-dreaded decision.

While Wolf Garden has a short 89-minute runtime, the slow-moving nature can leave one’s attention to waver. That doesn’t detract from David’s tragic tale about victims of circumstance, and the unhealthy effects of holding onto an idealised version of what was lost.