Out Come the Wolves is a 2024 Canadian survival thriller directed by Adam MacDonald. The film stars Missy Peregrym, Joris Jarsky, and Damon Runyan. It was released on August 30, 2024, through IFC Films in theaters and digitally, and later made available on streaming platforms like Shudder and Hulu.

Premise and Setup

The story follows Sophie, a former hunter who has turned vegan. She heads to a remote cabin with her fiancé Nolan and childhood friend Kyle for a weekend getaway that involves a return to her hunting roots. As romantic tensions surface and egos clash, the trio is pulled into a deadly survival situation when a pack of wolves enters the scene after a deer is wounded. The stakes quickly escalate from emotional conflict to a full-blown battle for life in the wilderness.

Performances

Missy Peregrym anchors the film with a confident and powerful performance as Sophie. Her role is layered, portraying inner conflict, emotional strength, and physical endurance with convincing depth. Joris Jarsky plays Kyle with a brooding presence, although some moments lack subtlety. Damon Runyan portrays Nolan as inexperienced but earnest, adding a layer of vulnerability that works well once the action begins.

Visuals and Atmosphere

The cinematography captures the vast, harsh beauty of the wilderness using natural lighting and handheld shots that make the danger feel immediate and real. The forest becomes a character in itself, haunting and isolating. Practical effects used for the wolves are highly effective, especially in the final act where they create genuine tension and fear.

Pacing and Structure

The film takes its time setting up the emotional groundwork, focusing on romantic tensions and personal backstories. While this helps with character depth, it also slows the momentum. Viewers may find the first hour a bit drawn out. However, once the wolves appear and the survival element kicks in, the film delivers gripping action and suspense that pays off the buildup.

Themes

Out Come the Wolves explores primal survival, trust, betrayal, and the human instinct to fight when faced with nature’s fury. It also touches on ethical choices, such as Sophie’s veganism conflicting with her hunting past, and how ideals shift when life is on the line.

What Works

  • Realistic, terrifying wolf encounters brought to life with strong practical effects

  • A powerful performance from Missy Peregrym as the film’s emotional and physical core

  • Stunning cinematography that heightens isolation and dread

  • A satisfying, visceral final act that makes the wait worthwhile

What Could Be Better

  • The early parts of the movie are slow and overly focused on relationship drama

  • Some character motivations feel underwritten, particularly in the male roles

  • Logic gaps in decision-making during the forest chase sequences

  • Some emotional beats are predictable and could use more subtlety

Critical and Audience Reception

Critics gave the film mixed-to-positive reviews. Many praised the suspenseful third act, solid performances, and immersive visuals, while noting the uneven pacing and formulaic romantic subplot. Audience feedback was largely in favor of the practical effects and the portrayal of wilderness terror, although some viewers found the buildup too long for the payoff.

Final Verdict

Out Come the Wolves is a solid wilderness survival thriller that thrives when it leans into primal terror and nature’s unpredictability. Though the film takes time to warm up, it rewards patient viewers with intense, well-crafted moments of suspense. Missy Peregrym’s commanding performance and the grounded, gritty tone make this a worthwhile watch for fans of character-driven thrillers with a dose of realistic horror.

Who Should Watch

  • Fans of survival thrillers and wilderness horror

  • Viewers who enjoy slow-burn tension that leads to high-stakes action

  • Audiences who appreciate practical effects and strong female leads

Who Might Skip

  • Those looking for fast-paced action from start to finish

  • Viewers uninterested in relationship drama within genre films

  • Audiences who prefer stylized horror over grounded realism

Conclusion

Out Come the Wolves is not a non-stop thrill ride, but it builds tension carefully and unleashes it effectively in the end. The strong visuals, grounded performances, and clever use of natural horror elements make it a commendable entry in the survival genre. While it could have used tighter pacing and sharper dialogue, it ultimately delivers a memorable experience for the right audience.