Much like vampire movies, the werewolf category is replete with various versions of the creature from European folklore. of the classic The werewolf, horror-comedy An American werewolf in Londona the cult classic Ginger cookies, the storytellers found fascinating ways to bring the mythos to the cinematic medium. Unfortunately, Jacqueline Castel’s My animal he has a fascinating concept that he cannot achieve.
‘My Animal’ follows a dangerous romance
Heather (Bobbi Salvör Menuez) lives with her extremely oppressive family with strict rules, everything revolves around her stern mother (Heidi von Palleske). Meanwhile, Heather spends much of her time at the local hockey rink, where she desperately wants to join the team. She is forced to stay home every time there is a full moon, which prevents her from having any sort of social life.
She fatefully meets a fascinating figure skater named Jonny (Bodies Bodies BodiesAmanda Stenberg), who quickly takes a liking to him. Their chemistry continues to build as they both come to terms with their stranger status, but Heather’s secret becomes a problem as they grow closer.
family and acceptance
My animal has multiple moving parts in Heather’s life that add to the tension, as Jae Matthews’ script places an emphasis on interpersonal relationships over the visceral horror usually associated with a werewolf story. Heather lives in a bleak home, with only her father, Henry (Stephen McHattie), truly understanding what it’s like to be in her position. Meanwhile, she experiences a radically different relationship with her mother, who continues to loom over her.
Heather longs for a “normal” life that she witnesses her peers have from the sidelines. Jonny presents her with her first chance to have fun and rebel, exploring a whole new side of herself. However, she realizes that she is playing with fire, as breaking the rules of being outside on the night of a full moon could mean death for everyone around her. However, shutting yourself away for the rest of your years is no way to live. She’s tired of hiding who she really is and wants to finally be herself.
The need for a social life eventually leads to Heather’s affair with Jonny. Matthews’ script combines her worlds in a love story that has joy and lust, but also pain and sadness. Much like Heather’s experience with the hockey team she wishes to join, she is often left looking on from the outside of her own romance, desperate to immerse herself.
‘My Animal’ slowly turns into nothing
Castel infuses a feeling of indie nostalgia into My animal that aesthetically brings the story to life. Cinematographer Bryn McCashin uses mesmerizing neon lighting to emphasize specific sequences, offering a contrast to the dark and grainy reality of Heathers’ life.
Menuez unabashedly goes all out in her portrayal of Heather. She brings emotional sincerity to the role, having the depth to move through scenes that are light on dialogue. Meanwhile, Stenberg carries much of the film with his incredibly charismatic Jonny. He shares spectacular chemistry with Menuez, although the performances of the supporting cast are shaky.
My animal it’s very stylish, but narratively and emotionally it falls short of expectations, ending with a whimper after a disappointing slow burn.
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