WOLF

Ireland/UK/Poland, 2021, 99 minutes, Colour.

George MacKay, Lily-Rose Depp, Paddy Considine, Stuart Graham, Helen Behan, Lola Petticrew, Darragh Shannon, Eileen Walsh, Fionn O'Shea.

Directed by Nathalie Biancheri.

With the title, it echoes of all the werewolf films over the decades, the horror films, the high-class explorations like Wolf with Jack Nicholson, audiences were expecting a variation on this theme – some expressing quite some disappointment.

This is an Irish production with assistance from Polish money. And it is a psychological drama rather than horror.

Many audiences will be surprised at the theme of Species Identity Disorder (also known as Otherkin), which may not be familiar at all. It is human beings identifying as animals, in behaviour, in attitude, in psychological identification. This film shows an Institute with patients identifying with a range of animals and birds, the methods of the staff in dealing with the disorder, some genial, therapies, but others quite severe, the equivalent of aversion therapy/conversion therapy, familiar with stories of attempts to change sexual orientation. This film shows the happier side of therapy and the response of those in the institution. But, it also shows the much harsher, cruel side of therapy.

At the centre is a young man, Jacob (George MacKay), identifying as a Wolf, brought by his loving parents to the institution. There is a young woman, Wildcat (Lily-Rose Depp) who is attracted to him, ultimately helping him to escape.

But, also at the centre is a sadistic therapist, using all the techniques of aversion therapy, threats, treating the patient as an animal, urging animal behaviour, then turning the tables. His played with ferocious energy by Paddy Considine.

Not the easiest of entertainments – but an interesting opening up of an unfamiliar area of psychological disorder.

1. The title? Audiences expecting werewolf stories? Horror? Audiences feeling thwarted to discover that this was a psychological drama? Mental illness? A species identification drama and therapy?
2. The Irish setting, homes, the institution, the surrounding countryside and forest, the interiors, the rooms, the cells, isolation? The musical score?
3. The focus on Jacob, seeing him naked in the forest, his identifying as a wolf? His parents, their love, concern, taking him to the institution, their hopes?
4. The issue of species identification, Species Identity Disorder, Otherkin, parallels with sexual and gender identification? Therapy?
5. The range of patients present, German Shepherd, Wildcat, horse, duck… The manifestations of the disorder, the identity, mimicking the animal, behaviour?
6. The range of staff, the doctors, those who are sympathetic, the exercise, movement, dance, outdoors? The discussions, urging normality?
7. The harsh therapy, at the centre with The Zookeeper, his character, behaviour, beliefs, therapy, extreme versions of aversion/conversion therapy, patients with halters, his control, making them behave like animals, close-up threats, urging them to normality? The increasing severity, with the different patients, with Jacob?
8. The focus on Jacob, his identification with being a wolf, the introductions to the group, his observations, the doctors, with The Zookeeper, the physical treatment, the psychological treatment, aversion therapy? Becoming more extreme, the effect on Jacob? His reactions, being urged to act like a wolf, to howl? The solitary confinement and its effect on him? At the moment of peace with the visit of his concerned parents?
9. The character of Wildcat, her presence, her identification, seeming part of the staff, wandering around, the attraction to Jacob, helping him, the visit to solitary, the sexual encounter, the consequences? Getting the key, the escape? Her finally being unable to leave, wanting Jacob to stay? His decision, climbing over the fence, the escape, his howling in the forest?
10. The effect of the film on the audience, spending such a long time with these patients, their mental disorder, the gentle therapies, the harsh therapies, the equivalent of torture for aversion?