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The Company of Wolves
1984 95 min United Kingdom R 16+
★7.1
Horror, Fantasy
Director: Neil Jordan
Trailers
Description
An adaptation of Angela Carter's fairy tales. Young Rosaleen dreams of a village in the dark woods, where Granny tells her cautionary tales in which innocent maidens are tempted by wolves who are hairy on the inside. As Rosaleen grows into womanhood, will the wolves come for her too?
Budget:
$2M
US Gross:
$4.39M
Worldwide:
$4.39M
Starring
Sarah Patterson
Actor
Angela Lansbury
Actor
David Warner
Actor
Awards
Nominated for 4 BAFTA 10 wins & 5 nominations total
Key opinion
Neil Jordan's adaptation of the Little Red Riding Hood myth is a polarizing but visually striking surrealist exploration of female sexual awakening and folklore. While its dream-logic narrative and symbolic density reward contemplative viewers, others find the non-linear structure and mix of gothic tones to be disjointed or pretentious.
| Production | The film excels as a visually inventive gothic experience, utilizing stylized forest sets and rich symbolism to create a tangible dreamscape. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative's dream-logic and non-linear storytelling effectively mirror the subconscious nature of the protagonist's coming-of-age, though it frustrates viewers seeking a traditional plot. | |
| Production | The practical transformation effects are viewed as a blend of era-appropriate nostalgia and dated, gawkish artifice. | |
| Acting | Performances are inconsistent, with some viewers finding them flat by design or emotionally detached, while others appreciate the nuanced gravity of the lead cast. | |
| Theme | The film's exploration of puberty, shame, and sexual anxiety provides a deep, original thematic layer that elevates it beyond a standard horror fairy tale. |