Netflix is about to release the adaptation of a cult game from your childhood. Unfortunately, the first returns are far from unanimous. We will explain everything to you.
The Loups-Garous board game holds a special place in the hearts of many fans of role-playing and strategy games. Bringing together friends and family around mysteries and lively debates, this game tests players’ powers of persuasion and logic, immersing them in a medieval fantasy universe where villagers and werewolves fight for survival. The big positive point and what made this game successful is that it is entirely playable with the “means at hand”, without necessarily needing to buy cards. In fact, all you usually need is a few pencils and pieces of paper, and that’s it. Enough to give Netflix ideas for an adaptation. And in fact, we were able to get a glimpse of it, and it already divides us very strongly…
A first Made in Netflix preview of Werewolves
Werewolves is a game for everyone. It is in this spirit that Netflix will release a film adaptation, which, it must be admitted, is quite daring. Directed by François Uzan, known for his work on the big hits Lupine and Family Business, the film promises to incorporate the spirit of adventure and mystery that goes well. So as not to miss anything, this major project features a renowned cast with actors like Franck Dubosc, Jean Reno, Suzanne Clément, Jonathan Lambert and Grégory Fitoussi.
In short, on paper, there is enough to make a quality French-style Jumanji. Especially since actors like Jean Reno have a great international reputation and are generally very appreciated. For many Americans, for example, the actor will always remain a bit like the hitman Léon. But that’s not enough… Recently, the public was able to discover the very first trailer and inevitably, it was very divided in certain casting choices, with some apprehensions as a result.
A trailer under fire from critics
For the casting in particular, many are worried about the presence of Franck Dubosc; although he is a good comedy actor, he struggles to gain unanimous support (that’s fair to say) for a film that should normally be an adventure full of mysteries. Some fear a universe made a mockery of and a simple pastiche of Jumanji with a French twist.
Others, as we can see in the comment above, fear seeing in this film the French comedy side a little too present, instead of dwelling on what makes the charm of role-playing in itself, namely the mystery and fear of the other. But also… death! Which is however normally omnipresent. Critics are also very pessimistic with comments that say it all:
It smells like turnips around here!
YouTube comment among many others.
On social networks it is not necessarily better. On X it’s a bit the same lemonade:
But also be careful, among the lot, many also have a fairly intelligent argument on the subject, explaining that the film could, after all, be a good family film, without any more pretension than that. In short, the bets are on. The feature film is scheduled for October 2024, we will see at that time…