A highly atmospheric throwback treat, Werewolf by Night is sure to amuse superhero fans during this “spooky season.” Just know that this isn’t your typical Marvel entertainment offering. Nope, this one-off special is a moody, campy, and sometimes gory diversion from what the MCU is known for. What we get is a clear nod to the timeless monster films of yesteryear, with homages aplenty. The beauty is that this tribute to the classics works splendidly with the lore surrounding the comic book characters featured (the titular Werewolf by Night, Man-Thing etc.). And, clearly, our filmmaker Michael Giacchino is having a blast playing within the genre. There’s some really great black and white cinematography and shadow work being done, not to mention a score that is as delightfully ominous as you’d hope. But while it is a breezy watch (at just under 60 minutes), it’s admittedly pretty thin on story. Suffice to say, there aren’t any major implications for the Marvel Cinematic Universe at large. But hey, that’s ok. Because even if it isn’t “essential” viewing, it’s still a worthy watch – one that would best be enjoyed with the lights off!