Vampires and wolves may have had their heyday in the early to mid-2000s in pop culture with titles like Vampire Diaries, Twilight and Teen Wolf, but Wolf Pack aims to rekindle the nostalgia that has gripped teens around the world with a new take on these supernatural creatures.
Review of Wolf Pack
I had the chance to watch the first two episodes before the premiere this Thursday. Before I approached the series, I was a little apprehensive. With Jeff Davis, I knew the show was going to offer something interesting, but was it going to behave too similarly to Teen Wolf to the point of losing its identity?
After watching the episodes, I can confidently say yes - although this is a series about teen wolves, it is nothing like Teen Wolf.
Based on the series of novels by Edo van Belkom, Wolf Pack follows park ranger Garrett Briggs (Rodrigo Santoro), who stumbles upon a litter of wolves - including faux twins Harlan (Tyler Lawrence Gray) and Luna (Chloe Rose Robertson) - after a mysterious forest fire.
We later learn that these are no ordinary wolves. They are drawn to Everett and Blake, played by Armani Jackson and Bella Shepard, whose lives were also changed forever when a California wildfire awakened a terrifying supernatural creature.
Most of the issues addressed in Teen Wolf done wrong - gay representation, ableism, mental health issues - are handled more delicately in Wolf Pack.
The series is very Gen Z, and with the content of the novels falling somewhere between tweens and young adults, it seems appropriate. But don't think you're not the target demographic; there's something for everyone in this series. Including millennial "it girl" Sarah Michelle Gellar, who plays arson investigator Kristin Ramsey.
Official Trailer Of 'Wolf Pack
Most of the cast, with the exception of Gellar and Santoro, is made up of fresh, young talent, and it shows in their performances. This is especially true of Robertson and Gray, who breathe new life into the twin theme. While Harlan is more flirty and free-spirited, Luna is more bubbly and ethereal, desperate to find her own pack.
Blake and Everett are a formidable duo, with Blake essentially an outcast from a broken home where she spends a lot of time caring for her autistic younger brother. Everett struggles with his sanity and living up to his parents' expectations. A mix of outsiders works, and it's easy to see why Davis believes so strongly in this series.
However, if you're looking for a faithful adaptation of the novels, you may be slightly disappointed. There are certainly bits and pieces that show that they definitely inspired him, but it's clear that Davis is looking to make Wolf Pack his next supernatural universe.
Overall, Wolf Pack is an exciting and compelling adaptation of a teen television genre that is sure to leave you screaming.
Check out Wolf Pack on the series premiere exclusively on Paramount+ this Thursday, January 26, and stick around for our weekly episode recaps!
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