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WolfCop
Theatrical release poster[1]
Directed byLowell Dean
Written byLowell Dean
Produced by
  • Bernie Hernando
  • Deborah Marks
  • Danielle Masters
  • Hugh Patterson
  • Andi Gartside
Starring
CinematographyPeter La Rocque
Edited byMark Montague
Music byShooting Guns
Distributed by
Release date
  • 6 June 2014 (2014-06-06)
Running time
79 minutes
CountryCanada
LanguageEnglish

WolfCop is a 2014 Canadian superhero film[2][3][4] written and directed by Lowell Dean, and starring Jesse Moss, Amy Matysio, Jonathan Cherry, Sarah Lind, Aidan Devine, Corrine Conley and Leo Fafard. Produced by Hugh Patterson. The film's plot concerns an alcoholic small town cop who transforms into a werewolf after being cursed; he still possesses his human intelligence in wolf form and continues his work as a police officer even in wolf form.[5]

WolfCop was released to Cineplex Odeon theatres in Canada on 6 June 2014,[6] and was released on DVD and Blu-ray in the United Kingdom on 13 October 2014. It was followed by a sequel, Another WolfCop, in 2017.

Plot

[edit]

Lou Garou, an alcoholic cop in the small community of Woodhaven, spends most of his day either asleep at work or at Jessica's bar. When his friend Willie Higgins phones in a complaint of occult activity in the area of his gun store, the police chief sends Garou to investigate. After meeting with Higgins, Garou dismisses his concerns as the actions of heavy metal fans. Higgins again reports a disturbance, and the chief forces Garou to investigate. When he arrives at the scene, Garou finds occultists in the middle of a ceremony to sacrifice an upstart politician who was running on a platform of reform and anti-corruption. Garou is knocked out and wakes up the next morning in his bed, not remembering how he got there, though he has a pentagram carved into his stomach.

Garou's senses become extremely sharp, and his wounds heal near-instantly. As he investigates the case, he surprises Jessica and his coworkers, all of whom had written him off as lazy and incompetent. As he goes over his notes at Jessica's bar, she encourages him to drink more and invites him to join her privately. Before he can, two criminals who are part of a local gang sneak into the bar and attack him in the bathroom. Garou, who is in the middle of a transformation into a werewolf, easily kills one and drives off the other. Angry that they did not kidnap Garou, the gang leader stabs out the eye of the escaped gangster when he claims to have seen Garou transform into a monster. Meanwhile, Garou ends up in Higgins' house, handcuffed to the bed. Higgins explains that he captured Garou and restrained him for his own safety. Higgins later researches his condition, and they learn that occult ceremonies in which a werewolf is sacrificed can strengthen the magic of reptilian shapeshifters.

Garou and his partner, Tina, investigate the deaths at the bar and a series of seemingly unrelated armed robberies by a gang who wear pig masks. Higgins convinces Garou that he must be restrained at night, and Garou submits to being locked in the town's jail. However, when the police station receives a call for help, Garou, who has since transformed into a werewolf but has retained his human intelligence, dons his policeman's uniform and heads to the local supermarket, where the pig-mask gang have taken hostages. Garou savagely kills all the pig-mask robbers and heads toward a meth lab. Higgins cowers in the car as Garou again savagely kills several gun-wielding gangsters. When they return to the police station, Jessica seduces Garou while he is in his werewolf form, only to reveal that she is a shapeshifter and also the town's elderly mayor. Higgins also reveals himself as a shapeshifter and theorizes that Garou's alcoholism has made him stronger than their previous victims, all of whom they were able to control.

Garou is drugged and brought to a second ceremony, where he is to be sacrificed during an eclipse so that the town's ruling elite, all of whom are reptilian shapeshifters, can continue to hide their true identity and rule indefinitely. Tina arrives and confronts the police chief, who shapeshifts into the gang leader, and Higgins. Tina and Garou kill Higgins, Jessica, and the gang members, but the chief surprises them with a sneak attack and angers Lou by revealing that he killed his father. Weakened by the approaching eclipse, Garou is wounded when shot by the chief, but he realizes that alcohol is the source of his enhanced power. As Garou consumes a flask of alcohol, Tina impales the police chief on a sword. He uses it to also stab her, but before he can finish her, Garou shoots and kills the police chief. Garou and Tina limp off together, and Garou promises to drop her off at a hospital after he gets another drink.

Cast

[edit]

Cast in credits order:

Production

[edit]

Filming began in October 2013 in Regina, Saskatchewan, and surrounding area.[8] It is Dean's second feature having previously shot 13 Eerie in the same location. WolfCop relied on "retro-style" practical effects instead of computer-generated imagery.[9]

Soundtrack

[edit]

The soundtrack was composed by Saskatoon, Saskatchewan instrumental band Shooting Guns and Toby Bond, who joined the band shortly after.[10] The band composed 76 minutes of original material for the score and released the WolfCop Original Soundtrack on vinyl and limited-release cassette through One Way Static in September 2014. The soundtrack was also released digitally in Sept 2014 through RidingEasy Records.[11]

Reception

[edit]
Cosplay at the Montreal Comiccon 2016

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 63% of 19 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 5.6/10. The website's consensus reads: "There's a new sheriff in town, and this one bites: Wolfcop packs a silly punch with just enough fun to rip the laughter right out of you."[12]

Patrick Cooper of Bloody Disgusting gave WolfCop a positive review, writing: "A perfect storm of creature action, the occult, gore, intrigue, humor, and lycanthropic puns, WolfCop is destined for cult glory."[13] Leslie Felperin of The Guardian gave it a score of three out of five stars and wrote, "You can't help but warm to this old-school Canadian horror-comedy about a law enforcer with a snout for crime".[14] Craig Anderson of Fangoria rated it four out of five stars, writing: "While Wolfcop does tend to overreach, and too-often falls back on its predictable buddy-cop formula splatstick shtick, it's still plenty fun".[15] Andrew Mack of Twitch Film called the film "a mix of horror and comedy that does not take off right away but builds momentum to a satisfying conclusion."[16] Dread Central's Scott Hallam rated it three-and-a-half out of five stars, concluding that, "If you enjoy a horror-comedy that's just out for a laugh and never takes itself too seriously, you'll enjoy WolfCop."[17]

Conversely, Bruce DeMara of The Toronto Star gave the film a score of one-and-a-half out of four stars, asserting that its humor never rises beyond the French pun used for Fafard's character.[18] Radheyan Simonpillai, in his review of WolfCop for Now, summarized the film thus: "Aiming for so-bad-it's-good status, this derivative effort gets stuck in moderately bad."[19]

Sequel

[edit]
Main article: Another WolfCop

In an interview with Fangoria, director Lowell Dean confirmed a sequel to the film.[20][21] Another WolfCop was filmed in Lumsden, Saskatchewan, in the early months of 2016,[22] featuring most of the same characters, played by the same actors (most of whom are locals of Regina, Saskatchewan). It was released on 1 December 2017.[23]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

WolfCop

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
WolfCop is a Canadian horror written and directed by Lowell Dean. The plot follows Lou Garou, an alcoholic in the of Woodhaven, who transforms into a after being cursed during a , retaining his human intelligence in wolf form to investigate bizarre crimes and a involving occult rituals. Starring Leo Fafard as Lou Garou, alongside Amy Matysio, , and Jonathan Cherry, the film blends practical effects-driven gore with satirical humor, screening at festivals like Fantasia before a limited theatrical release in on June 6, . The movie received mixed to positive reviews for its self-aware B-movie charm and inventive transformation scenes, earning a 63% approval rating on based on 19 critic reviews, with praise for its "gory hoot" and "silly punch." It was hailed as the "best Canadian movie of 2014" by the and the " of werewolf-cop movies" by . Commercially, WolfCop found success on platforms, leading to a sequel, , released in 2017, which expanded the lore with returning cast and escalated absurdity. The film's low-budget aesthetic, practical makeup by Emersen Ziffle, and Lowell Dean's direction have cemented its cult status in the horror comedy genre.

Synopsis and characters

Plot summary

In the small town of Woodhaven, , Sergeant Garou is a disheveled and alcoholic who struggles with his duties alongside his partner, Tina Walsh, and his best friend, Willie Higgins. Amid preparations for the annual "Drink n' Shoot" festival, Lou investigates a reported disturbance alone one night, stumbling upon a group of robed cultists performing an on a local strung up for . The cultists attack Lou, knocking him unconscious and carving a into his chest as part of a ritualistic curse intended to transform him into a for their later use. Waking with no memory of the event but exhibiting rapid healing, heightened senses, and unusual hair growth on his chest, Lou dismisses the incident as a drunken haze and returns to his routine of heavy drinking and lax policing. As strange and violent crimes escalate—including a robbery at a local donut shop by pig-masked gangsters and the operation of a nearby meth lab—Lou begins experiencing blackouts and waking at crime scenes with blood on his hands. On the night of a full moon, Lou transforms into a ferocious werewolf in the bathroom of Jessica's bar, a process triggered by the lunar cycle and marked by intense physical agony, including bleeding from his orifices and the emergence of fur, claws, and fangs. Crucially, the curse allows Lou to retain his full human intelligence and memories in this wolf form, enabling him to wield his police revolver with precision, drive his patrol car, and apply tactical skills to combat threats more effectively than in his human state. As Lou, now operating as the vigilante "WolfCop," destroys the meth lab and thwarts the gangsters' attacks—often leaving behind grisly evidence of his lupine rampage—he teams up with Tina to probe the crimes' connections to the woods incident. Their investigation uncovers an ancient conspiracy: Woodhaven is infiltrated by reptilian shapeshifters who have assumed human guises, including the corrupt police chief and bar owner Jessica, who reveal themselves during escalating confrontations. The shapeshifters' plan culminates in a sacrificial ritual during a solar eclipse, aiming to drain Lou's werewolf blood to grant them immortality and consolidate control over the town. In the climax, Lou is captured and drugged for the ceremony, but his chronic alcoholism inadvertently enhances his powers—alcohol acts as a catalyst that amplifies his strength and accelerates transformation, allowing him to break free, slaughter the cultists, and fatally shoot the shapeshifting chief in a brutal showdown. In the resolution, Lou defeats the remaining shapeshifters with Tina's assistance, ensuring the conspiracy's end as the eclipse passes. Though wounded, Lou embraces his dual nature, recognizing the curse not as a hindrance but as a tool for protecting Woodhaven, and vows to continue his role as its guardian while promising to seek help for Tina's injuries after one more drink.

Cast and roles

The principal cast of WolfCop features a mix of Canadian actors who bring to life the film's blend of gritty horror and irreverent comedy, with performances that highlight , practical effects, and interpersonal dynamics in a small-town setting. Leo Fafard leads in the of Lou Garou, the hard-drinking deputy , and his , WolfCop, selected for his rugged appearance that naturally suits both the disheveled human form and the beastly transformation, allowing seamless integration with the practical werewolf suit for action-oriented scenes that amplify the horror-comedy tone. Amy Matysio plays Sergeant Tina Walsh, Lou's competent and loyal fellow officer who offers emotional and professional support, her grounded performance providing a stabilizing contrast to the escalating chaos and underscoring themes of partnership in the film's humorous take on . Jonathan Cherry portrays Willie Higgins, Lou's eccentric best friend and local informant, whose wide-eyed enthusiasm and comedic timing contribute to the investigative hijinks, enhancing the movie's buddy-cop parody elements. Sarah Lind embodies Jessica, a charismatic town figure entangled in Lou's personal life, her sultry yet layered portrayal adding flirtatious tension that feeds into the film's blend of romance and menace. serves as Police Chief Ray, the authoritative whose stern demeanor drives conflict within the police force, his veteran presence lending gravitas to the conspiracy-driven narrative. Corrine Conley rounds out the key ensemble as Mayor Bradley, an enigmatic authority figure with ties, her seasoned acting delivering subtle menace that heightens the film's satirical edge on small-town power structures.

Production

Development

The concept for WolfCop originated with writer-director Lowell Dean, who envisioned a horror-comedy blending mythology with elements of a , drawing inspiration from 1980s splatstick films such as and comedic tales like . Dean developed the idea by combining two separate script concepts—one involving a wolf and another a cop—during a brainstorming session, aiming to create a high-concept story that repurposed classic tropes into an over-the-top, humorous narrative. This approach emphasized the absurdity of elements, such as a transforming alcoholic , to evoke a aesthetic while maintaining practical effects-driven horror. Dean's screenplay writing process focused on amplifying the humor in the supernatural premise, evolving the protagonist's alcoholism from a potential redemption arc in early drafts to a core strength that fueled chaotic comedy, influenced by films like and . Following his directorial debut on the 2013 horror film , Dean penned the script as a personal project aligned with his taste for genre blends, completing the pitch and final draft by early 2013 to prepare for submission to funding opportunities. The 12-week CineCoup contest process provided iterative feedback, prompting revisions to make the tone more overtly comedic and fan-engaging through social media challenges. Funding for WolfCop was secured in June 2013 when Dean's team won $1 million through the inaugural CineCoup Film Accelerator, a provincial contest that greenlit production based on public voting and promotional videos. Hugh Patterson, a Saskatchewan-based filmmaker with a BFA from the and experience in local industry roles, played a key role in assembling the team and leveraging regional incentives. To supplement the prize money, the project qualified for additional support via Saskatchewan's Film Employment Tax Credit program, enabling a low-budget independent production with an estimated total under $1.5 million. milestones included initial planning in spring 2013, in Regina and to capitalize on the province's rural and urban settings, and budget allocation prioritizing practical effects and a 17-day shoot schedule.

Filming and effects

Principal photography for WolfCop commenced in October 2013 and spanned 17 days, with filming primarily occurring in Regina and , , where local buildings and rural areas served as sets for the fictional town of Woodhaven. Director Lowell Dean, drawing from his previous experience on 13 Eerie in the same region, adopted a hands-on approach to capture the film's low-budget aesthetic, incorporating extensive night exteriors to heighten the horror-comedy tone despite logistical hurdles like cold weather and limited daylight hours. Dean's directorial style emphasized retro practical effects reminiscent of 1980s horror classics, eschewing CGI in favor of tangible prosthetics and to evoke a gritty, handmade feel that amplified the film's satirical edge. The transformations, a centerpiece of the production, presented significant challenges due to budget constraints, limiting the team to just seven key effects shots; these were achieved using custom prosthetics designed by makeup effects artist Emersen Ziffle, including an inflatable back piece applied to actor Leo Fafard, which required precise framing and only one or two takes per setup to conserve materials. Ziffle's team also crafted the full suit, blending fur, animatronic elements for facial movements, and practical gore like fake squibs and severed limbs to depict exaggerated that integrated humor through over-the-top, cartoonish dismemberments. Fafard performed several stunts in the restrictive suit to ensure authentic physicality during action sequences. In , editors focused on tightening the 79-minute runtime by intercutting the sparse transformation prosthetics with reaction shots and quick cuts, creating fluid, dynamic sequences that masked the production's scale while preserving comedic momentum. played a crucial role in enhancing the humor, with layered foley effects and timing adjustments amplifying the violence in fight scenes, such as the restroom transformation, to sync visceral impacts with punchy comedic beats. These low-budget innovations, driven by Dean's vision for practical ingenuity, distinguished WolfCop amid its resource limitations.

Music

Score

The original musical score for WolfCop was composed by the Saskatoon-based band Guns in with composer Toby Bond, who joined the project to contribute subtle underscores and mood elements. Their style fuses heavy psych/doom riffs with driving guitars, deep bass tones, and mad-synth feedback, creating a retro horror atmosphere reminiscent of films through ominous electronic layers and explosive rock intensity. Key themes in the score include the main werewolf transformation motif, introduced in the track "Lycanthrope," which builds from eerie synth swells to thunderous guitar and drum eruptions to mirror the protagonist's physical change. Tense investigation cues appear in ambient, droning pieces like "The Family of the Vaurdlak," featuring trippy percussion and subtle distortions to heighten suspense during detective work. Comedic chase sequences are underscored by high-energy tracks such as "Suda," with its funky bass lines and menacing synths that add propulsion and ironic levity to pursuits. The full score comprises over 80 minutes of original music, selectively compiled for the soundtrack release. Recording took place in during the winter of 2014, where the team assembled an on-the-fly studio using rented equipment to produce four 20-minute reels under tight deadlines, completing the work in approximately six weeks. Shooting Guns focused on action-oriented cues, while Bond layered in atmospheric elements, blending them for a cohesive sound. The score integrates seamlessly to amplify the film's horror-comedy tone, with the "Lycanthrope" motif heightening Lou Garou's rage during his initial bathroom transformation by escalating from subtle tension to chaotic distortion that underscores his loss of control. In action sequences, tracks like "Barn Burner" drive rampages with thundering riffs, intensifying the visceral impact of fights against cultists. For humorous moments, such as police banter amid chaos, lighter cues like "Railbender"—with its solo—infuse wit and energy, balancing the score's aggression with playful undertones.

Soundtrack release

The original soundtrack album for WolfCop, featuring the film's score composed by the band Shooting Guns in collaboration with Toby Bond, was commercially released on September 16, 2014. Issued by One Way Static Records, it was available in limited-edition physical formats including vinyl LP (such as a deluxe blue-with-red-marbling pressing) and cassette, alongside through RidingEasy Records. The album comprises 18 instrumental tracks totaling approximately 36 minutes, blending heavy psychedelic rock riffs with atmospheric synth elements to evoke the film's horror-comedy tone. Highlights include the opening credits track "Lycanthrope" (2:20) and the high-energy "Barn Burner" (3:24), which underscores action sequences and was released as a promotional single with a music video. Other notable cues are "Hounds of God" (1:22), capturing pursuit scenes, and "Railbender" (2:35), adding tension to werewolf transformations. No bonus content, remixes, or inclusions of the film's licensed songs—such as "Money" by High Kicks—were part of this release, as the album focuses exclusively on the original score. The soundtrack won the Metal/Hard Music Recording of the Year at the 2015 Western Canadian Music Awards. The soundtrack's promotion aligned closely with the film's premiere at the in July 2014 and its limited theatrical rollout later that year, emphasizing its appeal through bundle editions like vinyl paired with a "Barn Burner" 7-inch single. These limited runs, often numbering in the hundreds, have since garnered collector interest in the niche horror soundtrack market, with reissues such as the 2018 Ultimate Edition (including a CD) maintaining availability for enthusiasts.

Release

Theatrical release

WolfCop had its Canadian premiere on June 6, 2014, with a at select Cineplex Odeon theaters nationwide. The rollout began in a handful of screens, expanding to additional venues including shortly thereafter, reflecting its independent production scale. Internationally, the film garnered attention through festival screenings, such as at the in during July 2014, where it played to audiences appreciative of its genre-blending style. Further exposure came at the UK's FrightFest on August 22, 2014. World sales were handled by Entertainment. The was distributed theatrically in by , in association with the production companies and Echolands Creative Group, which originated from the CineCoup Film Accelerator program. In the United States, Image Entertainment, a brand of RLJ Entertainment, acquired all rights following festival buzz for distribution. Marketing emphasized the film's unique premise through striking poster designs showcasing the titular cop in action poses, often incorporating humorous elements like a badge on furry features and a nod to its roots with a Regina license plate. Trailers, such as the official "" promo, highlighted the gore, comedic beats, and practical effects, building anticipation via platforms and circuits. This strategy leveraged the practical makeup and effects to generate buzz among horror enthusiasts. The film runs 79 minutes and received an MPAA R rating for graphic violence, gore, language, and some nudity.

Home media

The home media release of WolfCop began in the on October 13, 2014, with a dual DVD and Blu-ray edition distributed by , featuring a 1.78:1 and 5.1 audio. In , issued the DVD on March 10, 2015, followed by Image Entertainment's Blu-ray edition on May 12, 2015, both including special features such as an track with writer-director Lowell Dean and artist Emersen Ziffle discussing the film's practical effects and low-budget production challenges. These physical releases capitalized on the film's appeal following its limited theatrical run, providing fans with access to behind-the-scenes featurettes like the making-of documentary WolfCop Unleashed, outtakes, and deleted scenes that highlighted the film's improvised humor and creature design process. Later editions included a German-dubbed DVD released on November 18, 2014, offering bilingual audio options for international audiences. In 2018, Shout! Factory released the WolfCop / Another WolfCop Wolfpack Collection on Blu-ray, bundling the original film with its sequel and additional extras, such as reversible artwork and collector's packaging, to appeal to genre enthusiasts. Digitally, WolfCop became available on video-on-demand platforms shortly after its festival circuit exposure, with rentals and purchases offered on Amazon Video starting in late 2014. It streamed on Netflix in the United States from March 31, 2015, until approximately 2018, broadening its reach to online viewers before transitioning to free ad-supported services like Tubi and Pluto TV, where it remains accessible as of 2025. Amazon Prime Video also provides rental options, ensuring ongoing availability for cult audiences seeking the film's blend of horror and comedy.

Reception

Critical response

WolfCop received mixed reviews from critics, who praised its blend of humor and gore while critiquing its predictable plot and low-budget execution. On , the film holds a 63% approval rating based on 19 reviews, with an average score of 5.6/10. It lacks a score due to insufficient reviews, though individual critiques from genre outlets leaned positive. Positive responses highlighted the film's practical effects, comedic tone, and director Lowell Dean's assured handling of its absurd premise. lauded it as a "clever, charming little film" with "fantastic" practical effects and "awesome" gore, emphasizing the nasty, slimy transformations and humorous character interactions. The Guardian called it "enough of a gory hoot" with old-school in-camera effects, appreciating its setting and Canadian charm, though noting it fell short of Ginger Snaps. awarded 4/5 stars, praising its embrace of absurdity despite occasional reliance on buddy-cop tropes. Critics also commended lead actor Leo Fafard's physical performance in the werewolf suit, which added authenticity to the creature design and action sequences. Mixed and negative reviews pointed to the story's formulaic nature and uneven pacing. The gave it 1.5/4 stars, describing it as "mostly howlingly bad" for failing to satisfyingly blend horror and , with Dean's ambitions outpacing the execution. The Blu-File rated it 1.5/4, noting it aimed for laughs but often elicited only "raised eyebrows and knowing smirks" amid its thin narrative. Common themes in the reception centered on the film's successful balance of horror and comedy through practical gore and lycanthropic puns, evoking 1980s B-movies, while its low-budget charm could not fully overcome a derivative plot reminiscent of earlier werewolf tales like An American Werewolf in London.

Accolades and commercial performance

WolfCop received recognition at several international film festivals, including a Special Jury Award for Best Film at the 2015 Fantasporto International Film Festival, awarded to director Lowell Dean and producer Hugh Patterson. The film was also nominated for the Best Film Award at the same festival in 2015 and screened in official selections at events such as the in 2014 and the in 2015, though it did not secure additional major nominations. In , where the film was produced, it benefited from provincial support through tax credits administered by Creative Saskatchewan, contributing to its development as a local indie project. Commercially, WolfCop was made on a modest of approximately $1 million, funded in part by a CineCoup contest win that provided production financing and a . Its Canadian theatrical rollout began in , grossing $30,000 in its opening weekend across select Cineplex theaters, marking a strong start for a regional indie horror . The film achieved broader visibility through U.S. video-on-demand distribution via Image Entertainment, which acquired North American rights, alongside festival circuit exposure and international sales that helped ensure profitability despite the low . Home media releases, including DVD and Blu-ray, further contributed to its financial success as a genre title, though specific sales figures remain undisclosed.

Sequel

Another WolfCop production

Following the success of the original WolfCop, a sequel was greenlit in May 2014 by CineCoup, the production accelerator behind the first film, with director Lowell Dean tasked to write and helm the project. Development progressed through 2015, during which an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign was launched specifically to fund celebrity cameos and fan-service elements, allowing backers to influence casting choices for high-profile appearances. Dean's script built on protagonist Lou Garou's (Leo Fafard) ongoing struggles as a werewolf cop, introducing new supernatural threats tied to the town of Woodhaven while amplifying the blend of horror, comedy, and law enforcement satire. Principal photography commenced in February 2016 in Lumsden, , on a tight 17-day schedule that necessitated efficient, location-based shooting to capture the small-town setting. The production reunited key cast members from the original, including Fafard as Lou Garou, Amy Matysio as Tina, and Jonathan Cherry as Willie, while adding notable newcomers like in a villainous role and cameos from figures such as . This continuity helped maintain the established character dynamics and tone. Benefiting from an expanded budget estimated at CA$3 million—roughly triple that of —the sequel emphasized upgraded practical effects, including more elaborate transformations and gore sequences crafted by the returning effects team. The stylistic shift leaned heavier into action sequences with superhero-inspired elements, such as heightened chases and confrontations, allowing for broader spectacle while retaining the low-fi charm of practical prosthetics over digital enhancements. Another WolfCop premiered at the on July 29, 2017, before receiving a in on December 1, 2017, distributed by Vortexus Entertainment through select Cineplex theaters, alongside simultaneous video-on-demand availability. International rollout followed, with U.S. home media via RLJE Films in July 2018.

Another WolfCop reception

Another WolfCop received generally positive critical reception, earning a 65% approval rating on based on 17 reviews, which highlighted its amplification of the original film's absurd humor and practical effects while noting some shortcomings. Critics praised the sequel for escalating the raunchy gags and B-movie charm, with describing it as "goofy, ballsy," and awarding it 4 out of 5 stars for its entertaining blend of horror-comedy elements. However, some reviewers pointed out a weaker plot structure compared to the first film, calling it an "underwhelming sequel" despite the increased spectacle. Commercially, the film achieved modest theatrical earnings of $7,285 in the domestic during its limited December 2017 release, followed by a successful VOD rollout in that contributed to its appeal. Home media distribution through RLJE Films, including Blu-ray and DVD on July 3, , generated estimated domestic DVD sales of $89,393, surpassing the original WolfCop's performance due to growing fan interest. The sequel did not receive major awards but had notable festival recognition, winning the Gold Prize for Best Canadian Feature at the 2017 . Audience reception emphasized its streaming accessibility, with availability on platforms like Prime Video, , and fostering broader viewership and repeat watches driven by fan-service callbacks to the original. On IMDb, it holds a 5.3/10 rating from over 1,900 user votes, reflecting a dedicated but niche following.

Legacy

Cult following

WolfCop quickly developed a dedicated cult following after its 2014 release, gaining traction through screenings at horror festivals and midnight showings starting in 2015. The film appeared at events like the 2024 Saskatoon Fantastic Film Festival, where its blend of horror-comedy and practical effects resonated with genre enthusiasts, and continues to feature in 2025 horror challenges such as the October Horror Movie Challenge. Online, fans have formed communities on forums and social platforms, often highlighting the movie's quotable dialogue—such as lines from the transformation scenes—and its low-budget yet inventive special effects. The official website describes it as a "cult phenomenon," attributing this status to its rapid grassroots appeal within months of debut. Merchandise tied to the film's niche popularity includes officially licensed T-shirts sold through specialty retailers like Fright Rags, featuring designs inspired by the cop aesthetic. The production's site encourages fan engagement via a dedicated section, inviting submissions of suit replicas and other costumes, which have appeared at genre conventions alongside cast members like director Lowell Dean. Posters and apparel remain available on platforms such as and , sustaining interest among collectors. Dedicated events have further nurtured the fan base, including the film's 10th anniversary screening at the on October 24, 2024, timed for Halloween season with a costume contest. Such viewings, often themed around the holiday, align with the movie's playful horror elements. Metrics underscore this enthusiasm: the official YouTube trailer has amassed over 468,000 views as of 2025, while promotes fan content using hashtags like #WolfCopFanArt. The 2017 sequel, Another WolfCop, has helped maintain momentum by expanding the universe for returning fans.

Cultural impact

WolfCop contributed to a resurgence of interest in practical effects within the werewolf subgenre of horror comedy, emphasizing tangible transformations and gore over digital enhancements. The film's standout werewolf makeup and effects, crafted by a small team, evoked the gritty, hands-on aesthetic of 1980s classics, positioning it as a modern homage to low-budget schlock cinema. Critics noted its transformation sequence rivaled iconic moments from films like The Howling (1981), blending humor with visceral splatter to inspire subsequent indie hybrids in the "Canadian splatterpunk" vein. In Canadian cinema, WolfCop spotlighted Saskatchewan's emerging indie scene, marking the debut feature from Regina-based director Lowell Dean, a film studies alumnus, and the first production from the CineCoup Film Accelerator program. This low-budget success helped revive the "Canuxploitation" tradition of exploitation horror, characterized by regional settings, over-the-top violence, and cultural satire, echoing earlier works like Ginger Snaps (2000) while updating it for contemporary audiences with small-town Prairie angst. The film permeated pop culture through niche references, including a prop nod in the Saskatchewan-set comedy : The Movie (2014), and its werewolf cop imagery spawned memes shared on platforms like , often highlighting the absurdity of its premise. It has been a frequent topic on horror podcasts, with director Lowell Dean appearing as a guest on shows like Conspiracy Worldwide Hip-Hop Radio (2014) to discuss its making, fostering discussions on genre blending. Post-2018, WolfCop received academic attention in cult film studies, featured in Craig Ian Mann's Phases of the Moon: A Cultural History of the Werewolf Film (2020) as an example of postmodern narratives in indie horror. As of 2025, WolfCop maintains enduring availability on streaming platforms such as , , and , ensuring its accessibility to new viewers despite no additional sequels beyond (2017).

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2781516/
  2. https://www.amazon.com/Wolfcop-Leo-Fafard/dp/B00O3UBFMA
  3. https://horror.fandom.com/wiki/WolfCop_%282014%29
  4. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/wolfcop
  5. https://wolfcop.com/
  6. https://wolfcop.com/about/wolfcop/index.html
  7. https://horror.fandom.com/wiki/WolfCop_(2014)
  8. https://culturecrypt.com/movie-reviews/wolfcop-2014
  9. https://alexonfilm.com/2025/03/20/wolfcop-2014/
  10. https://dmguay.wordpress.com/2020/03/12/horror-comedy-movie-spotlight-wolfcop-2014/
  11. https://wolfcop.com/about/wolfcop-cast/index.html
  12. https://www.horrordna.com/movies/wolfcop-blu-ray-review
  13. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2781516/fullcredits/
  14. https://dailydead.com/exclusive-qa-with-wolfcop-writerdirector-lowell-dean/
  15. https://www.the-b-club.com/lowell-dean-interview
  16. https://deepfriedmovies.com/2015/03/24/deep-fried-interview-wolfcop-writerdirector-lowell-dean-2/
  17. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/wolfcop-wins-movie-making-money-1.1404655
  18. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/film-makers-snag-tax-credit-money-to-make-wolfcop-flick-1.1703574
  19. https://playbackonline.ca/2013/09/12/cinecoups-wolfcop-to-shoot-in-saskatchewan/
  20. https://archive.cinecoup.com/wolfcop.html
  21. http://www.bradmiddleton.ca/2014/06/wolfcop-here-comes-fuzz.html
  22. https://www.moriareviews.com/horror/wolfcop-2014.htm
  23. https://615film.com/wolf-cop-director-lowell-dean-chats-about-the-infamous-restroom-transformation-scene-teases-a-sequel-in-2016/
  24. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oLs0GKdUPg
  25. https://thegauntlet.ca/2014/09/01/wolfcop-brings-fuzz-to-the-force/
  26. https://www.discogs.com/release/6125471-Shooting-Guns-WolfCop-Original-Soundtrack-Recording
  27. https://www.vice.com/en/article/shooting-guns-to-soundtrack-wolfcop-interview/
  28. https://www.psychedelicbabymag.com/2015/02/shooting-guns-wolfcop-origina.html
  29. https://shootingguns.bandcamp.com/album/wolfcop-soundtrack
  30. https://www.starburstmagazine.com/features/wolfcop-ost-interview/
  31. https://www.soundtrack.net/movie/wolfcop/
  32. https://open.spotify.com/album/4glStsWmQ7Ounaf59p5XNL
  33. https://music.apple.com/us/album/wolfcop-original-motion-picture-soundtrack/911587773
  34. https://www.discogs.com/release/6272781-Shooting-Guns-WolfCop-Original-Soundtrack-Recording
  35. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBx-cKqNWu4
  36. https://exclaim.ca/music/article/2015_western_canadian_music_award_winners_revealed
  37. https://www.ridingeasyrecs.com/product/barnburner/
  38. https://www.diversevinyl.com/product/wolfcop-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ultimate-edition/
  39. https://earcandymusic.biz/wolfcop-ost-lp-colored-vinyl-7/
  40. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2781516/releaseinfo/
  41. https://infonews.ca/news/518895/saskatchewan-comedy-horror-movie-scores-in-limited-release-at-box-office/
  42. https://filmschoolrejects.com/wolfcop-review-fantasia-2014-snark-as-muddled-and-muzzled-as-its-bite-ba53a48daa32/
  43. https://www.screendaily.com/news/raven-banner-bites-into-wolfcop/5071137.article
  44. https://www.horrorsociety.com/2014/08/05/wolfcop-shred-us-audiences-help-image-entertainment/
  45. https://globalnews.ca/news/1214190/wolfcop-debuts-new-film-poster/
  46. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Spd_v-d5-xs
  47. https://horrornews.net/68607/poster-and-trailer-for-wolfcop/
  48. https://www.target.com/p/wolfcop/-/A-90747287
  49. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolfcop-Blu-ray-Leo-Fafard/dp/B00M482XXI
  50. https://popshifter.com/2015-03-13/dvd-review-wolfcop/
  51. https://www.horrornewsnetwork.net/wolfcop-gets-seperate-dvd-blu-ray-release-dates/
  52. https://bluray.highdefdigest.com/14049/wolfcop.html
  53. https://www.ebay.com/itm/136233897260
  54. https://www.newsweek.com/horror-movies-blu-ray-october-2018-halloween-mandy-purge-slender-man-1144637
  55. https://usa.newonnetflix.info/info/80032903
  56. https://tubitv.com/movies/492365/wolfcop
  57. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/wolfcop-xbox-exclusive
  58. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2781516/criticreviews
  59. https://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/3295269/bd-review-wolfcop/
  60. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/aug/21/wolfcop-review
  61. https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2014/06/12/wolfcop_as_horrorcomedy_mostly_howlingly_bad_review.html
  62. http://www.theblufile.com/bluray/14_wolfcop.htm
  63. https://wegotthiscovered.com/blu-ray/wolfcop-bluray-review/
  64. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2781516/awards/
  65. https://wolfcop.com/about/wolfcop-press/index.html
  66. https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/film/sitges-film-festival-fantastic-selection
  67. https://playbackonline.ca/2014/06/12/wolfcop-opens-to-30k-b-o-in-saskatchewan/
  68. https://screenanarchy.com/2014/05/cinecoup-greenlights-wolfcop-sequel.html
  69. https://exclaim.ca/film/article/wolfcop_filmmakers_want_cameo_suggestions_for_upcoming_sequel
  70. https://b-independent.com/the-interview-writer-and-director-of-wolfcop-and-another-wolfcop-lowell-dean/
  71. https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/wolfcop-sequel-filming-sask-1.3339828
  72. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4515762/fullcredits/
  73. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4515762/
  74. https://playbackonline.ca/2017/08/30/another-wolfcop-set-for-wide-canadian-release/
  75. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/another_wolfcop
  76. https://www.dreadcentral.com/reviews/263313/another-wolfcop-review-hairy-arm-law-back/
  77. https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt4515762/
  78. https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Another-Wolfcop
  79. https://rue-morgue.com/fantasia-festival-2017-awards-celebrate-the-best-in-horror-and-other-genre-fare/
  80. https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/another-wolfcop
  81. https://geeksofdoom.com/2015/04/06/streaming-review-wolfcop
  82. https://www.skfilmfest.com/festival/feature-films/wolfcop/
  83. https://blasphemoustomes.com/2025/10/05/wolfcop-2014-ohmc-2025-day-5/
  84. https://www.spinstersofhorror.com/post/canadian-is-a-genre-wolfcop-another-wolfcop-and-the-joy-of-the-cult-film
  85. https://www.facebook.com/frightrags/posts/officially-licensed-wolfcop-tees-are-now-availablewere-celebrating-the-release-o/10155144797371200/
  86. https://wolfcop.com/fanzone/cosplay/index.html
  87. https://www.etsy.com/listing/4360005755/wolfcop-v1-natural-t-shirt-movie-poster
  88. https://www.uregina.ca/events/2024/10/wolfcop-10th-anniversary-screening.html
  89. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_P4C8x9S28
  90. https://wolfcop.com/fanzone/gifs/index.html
  91. https://gizmodo.com/wolfcop-is-the-best-80s-movie-ever-made-in-2014-1600249694
  92. https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/courier-archive/news/wolfcop-claws-out-place-among-cult-classics-2979616
  93. https://www.moviefone.com/movie/wolfcop/10139138/main/
  94. https://www.tasteofcinema.com/2015/20-great-canadian-cult-films/
  95. https://www.reddit.com/r/badMovies/comments/wv1gcq/just_watched_wolfcop_the_hilarious_bmovie_with/
  96. https://www.tumblr.com/wolfcopthemovie/46699393165/wolfcop-meme-entries
  97. https://music.amazon.com/es-co/podcasts/25787193-f43c-46a9-baf7-0d02dbd356cf/episodes/d0d922c7-996b-48fc-b5fa-8ef3f69ddfcb/conspiracy-worldwide-hip-hop-radio-part-2-the-halloween-special-2014-w-live-guests-chris-webby---scifi-stu---fabio-frizzi-zombie-flesh-eaters---luca-bercovici-ghoulies---lowell-dean-wolfcop---kevin-van-hentenryck-basketcase---paranormal-investigation-and-more
  98. https://www.erudit.org/en/journals/monstrum/2021-v4-monstrum08322/1102260ar.pdf
  99. https://www.tvguide.com/movies/wolfcop/2030210276/
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