The Hunting (2022)

**_Loup-garou happenings in a secluded village in Ohio_** People are missing in a lonely town in northeastern Ohio where an ex-Marine detective (Peyton Hillis) enlists the aid of a wolf expert (Joelle Westwood) after finding the gruesome remains of bodies. "The Hunting" (2022) is a slow-burn low-budget creature feature with quality full moon ambiance. It’s a serious take on the topic of lycanthropy so don’t look for a wink of amusement. There’s a palpable reverence to the proceedings that appeals to me. Winsome Joelle Westwood is certainly a highlight, such a beautiful woman. On the other side of the gender spectrum, Hillis works well as the uber-masculine protagonist, a former NFL running back from 2008-2014. No CGI was used in the monster effects but, to be expected, they’re better than the relatively lame werewolves featured in “The Wolf Man” (1941) and Paul Naschy flicks. The film runs 1 hour, 31 minutes, and was shot in the area of Mantua in northeastern Ohio. GRADE: B