George Clooney & Brad Pitt in “Wolfs”: Is This Cop Comedy Worth Watching?

What’s It About?

The plot kicks off when one crime scene cleaner arrives at a job only to be met by another professional at the same location. Forced to work together, these solitary figures embark on a chaotic night where nothing goes as planned.

Who’s In It?

Though they could have been rivals, fate has turned George Clooney and Brad Pitt into allies. Undoubtedly, they are among the most iconic stars in American cinema over the past three decades.

Both have won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor—Clooney for “Syriana” and Pitt for “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” They have previously teamed up in the “Ocean’s Eleven” trilogy and the Coen brothers’ comedy “Burn After Reading.” “Wolfs” marks their fifth collaboration.

Joining these cinematic legends is young American actor Austin Abrams (“The Walking Dead”), who plays a chatty teenager creating a humorous contrast to the other characters’ more reserved demeanor. The cast also includes well-known television faces such as Amy Ryan (“The Office”) and Richard Kind (“Spin City”), with a vocal cameo by Frances McDormand as a hotel manager who interacts over the phone with Brad Pitt’s character.

Worth Watching?

While initially expected in theaters, “Wolfs” has arrived via streaming. Directed by Jon Watts (“Spider-Man” trilogy with Tom Holland), this new feature follows two crime scene cleaners who are called to the same job. They must cooperate and face an unexpected situation when the body they are supposed to dispose of turns out to be still alive!

Fear not, this isn’t a spoiler, as this twist is revealed in the movie’s trailer. The film promises more unexpected developments, which we won’t disclose to keep the surprise intact.

George Does Clooney, Brad Does Pitt

It’s clear that the lead roles in “Wolfs” are perfectly suited for Brad Pitt and George Clooney. While occasionally veering into overacting or self-parody, this doesn’t detract from the film’s quality, thanks largely to their on-screen chemistry, which accounts for much of their performances.

In his first post-Marvel film, Jon Watts crafts an offbeat crime thriller that borrows elements from buddy movies. Two characters who initially dislike each other are forced to collaborate. Watts’s direction focuses entirely on supporting the plot and humor, relying more on visual comedy than dialogue, unlike many other comedies.

A Nostalgic Look at Cinema’s Past

The film casts a nostalgic glance at a bygone era of cinema, reminiscent of the legendary western “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. Like George Roy Hill’s classic, “Wolfs” tells the story of a futile struggle by relics of a fading world.

This sense of an end era became even more poignant when the film’s release was canceled just weeks before its scheduled date. This decision echoes as a metaphor for today’s cinema and the fate of such productions on streaming platforms.

Announced in September 2021, the project captured the interest of major Hollywood studios. After fierce bidding, AppleTV+ secured distribution rights for an undisclosed amount, rumored to be tens of millions of dollars.

A True Cinematic Film Hits Streaming

To the surprise of many, “Wolfs” was released only in a limited number of U.S. theaters, enough to qualify the film for the upcoming awards season. Elsewhere, theatrical distribution was canceled, opting for a direct-to-streaming release.

Competition with other anticipated films this fall, including “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” and “Joker: Folie à deux,” influenced this decision. It’s particularly regrettable as the film was clearly designed for the big screen.

Thus, a truly premium production will be available to AppleTV+ subscribers starting this Friday, September 27!

Check out the list of films currently available on the platform!