October Horror Movie Challenge - Werewolf By Night (2022)

This is cheating a little bit, because it's technically a (digital) tv special not feature length movie, but I'm counting it. Also spoilers below.

Plot

Master Hunter, Ulysses Bloodstone, has passed and a group of hunters has gathered at his manor to find out who will take possession of a powerful monster hunting artifact, the Bloodstone. Among them are Jack Russell, the Werwolf by Night, and Ulysses' daughter Elsa. The pair team up to accomplish their goals and survive the night.

Review

This is a better Universal Monsters movie than any of that studios modern attempts. The black and white nature of the film, way it was shot, and just overall vibe made it feel like a classic. Speaking of black and white, there is a bit of color. The bloodstone is a vibrant red, which really highlights its power and special nature. The effects were fun too. This one is bloodier than any other MCU project, but its not gratuitous. 

The acting was great. I've never seen Gael Garcia Bernal before, but his portrayal of Jack was fantastic! I need more Werewolf by Night asap. He's tragic, yet keeps a great sense of humor. In the last few years I've been become an Elsa Bloodstone fan and Laura Donnelly does a fantastic job.

This was a fun Halloween MCU special and I really hope to see the characters again, sooner rather than later. 

In Your Game

The special introduced one of my favorite Marvel monsters into the MCU. I decided to stat him out. My build is primarily based on the official Shambling Mound stats and the 5e interpretation of Man-Thing created by Mark at Cross Planes. Also this version is a combination of the comics and his most recent appearance. You can also check out the version posted on Bell of Lost Souls.

Code Name: Man-Thing

Real Name: Ted Sallis 

Team Affiliation: Thunderbolts, Fearsome Four, Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Large Plant, Neutral Good

Armor Class: 15 (Natural Armor)

HP: 150

Speed: 25 ft., swim 25 ft., flight 30 ft.

Challenge: 6 (2,300 XP)

STR:  20 (+5), DEX: 11 (+0), CON: 20 (+5), 

INT: 16 (+3), WIS: 16 (+3), CHA:8 (-1)

Saving Throws: Str +8, Con +8, Wis +6; 

Skills: Insight +6, Intimidation +2, Nature +6, Perception +6, Stealth +3, Survival +6

Damage Resistences: Cold, Fire

Condition Immunities: blinded, charmed, deafened, exhaustion, frightened, poisoned

Senses: tremorsense 10 ft., truesight 30 ft., passive perception 16

Languages: Understands English and Primordial

Unique Abilities:

Fear Aura: Any creature hostile to Man-Thing that start's its turn within 30 feet of him must make a DC 16 Wisdom saving throw, unless its incapacitated. On a failed save, the creature is frightened until the start of its next turn. If a creature's saving throw was successful, it is immune to Man-Thing's Fear Aura for the next 24 hours.

Magic Weapons: Man-Thing's weapon attacks are magical.

Malleable: Man-Thing can move through any opening large enough penny to fit through.

Regeneration: If Man-Thing has 1 or more HP at the beginning of his turn, he heals 10 HP.

Sense Magic: Man-Thing senses magic within 120 feet of him at will. The trait otherwise works like the Detect Magic spell, but itself isn't magical.

Whoever Knows Fear Burns at the Man-Thing's Touch!: Any creature with the frightened condition struck by Man-Thing's slam attacks takes an additional 7 (2d6) fire damage.

Actions: 

Multiattack: Man-Thing can make two slam attacks.

Slam: Melee Weapon Attack: +8 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 14 (2d8 + 5) bludgeoning damage.

New Movies: 14

Others Horror Movies Watched Since Last Post: Stay Alive

Challenge Total: 30