FilmSnobReviews

Title: Eight for Silver
MPAA Rating: Not Yet Rated
Director: Sean Ellis
Starring: Boyd Holbrook, Kelly Reilly, Alistair Petrie
Runtime: 1 hr 53 mins

What It Is: When settlers, lead by Seamus Laurent (Petrie) decide to move Gypsies off of their own land to take it for themselves they do so the only way they know how to. Via deadly force. But before they eliminate the gypsies one of them curses the land. This curse manifests itself years later as a deadly wolf-like creature attempts to ravage the land. Pathologist John McBride (Holbrook) heads to town in order to help solve the mystery since he’s familiar with what may be happening.

What We Think: One of the most interesting things about this film is the approach taken with the werewolf lore. How you feel about that change will certainly affect your thoughts on the movie. With that out of the way let me say that I thoroughly enjoyed this film. I loved the world they built and the surrounding look and feel. There’s a beautiful muted tone to the cinematography that gives everything a gothic feel. Couple that with the late 19th century aesthetic and it’s a match made in horror hell Boyd Holbrook brings out his best for McBride and adds the needed sleuthing to the story. The effects look decent, especially when considering the budget is not high in the least.

Our Grade: B, This such a unique and fascinating take on the werewolf film. Overflowing with a gothic tinge and a dark sense of dread. This is one that many horror aficionados will enjoy. A certain group of the audience, including some of our friends, will implore that the change to the werewolf lore is unneeded…I disagree and think that it’s always a good idea to mix it up. Especially when it works so well.