Dog Soldiers (2002) Review

 

A group of army soldiers who, after discovering the bloody remains of a Special Ops squad, take refuge in a farmhouse-only to find themselves under siege by werewolves.

For many years, British cinema had become stale, dominated by rom-coms, comedies, and gangster films. Dog Soldiers arrived at a turning point for British horror, released the same year as a flurry of effective chillers, including 28 Days Later, The Bunker, and Deathwatch.

What prevents Dog Soldiers from becoming B-movie fodder is its strong script, gripping story, atmospheric lighting, and effective practical effects, with the werewolves kept largely unseen for maximum impact.

Writer-director Neil Marshall delivers a witty, claustrophobic thrill ride. The talented and memorable cast features Sean Pertwee as Wells, Kevin McKidd as Cooper, and Liam Cunningham as the shifty Special Ops Captain Ryan. The film's strength lies in making you genuinely care about the squad, giving it an emotional edge over similar horrors. The in-jokes are both subtle with some on the nose, yet the tone remains serious.

A near-perfect werewolf film, Dog Soldiers is packed with witticisms, action, and blood, delivering exactly what it promises-and more.