Creepshow Review: Bad Wolf Down/The Finger (Season 1 Episode 2)
Monsters come in many different forms on Creepshow Season 1 Episode 2, “Bad Wolf Down/The Finger,” as surviving comes down to those you’re trapped with.
Unfortunately, time constraints and biting off too much than the episode can chew leaves it a little lacking.
“Bad Wolf Down” is rather straightforward, leaning on the claustrophobia of being trapped behind enemy lines and being outnumbered. Taking that and making it about a small group becoming powerful enough to take down an enemy squad is a nice, neat package, but it comes with some issues with its speediness.
The tone is a little off. There are moments of levity that come as earned, like some banter between the troops, but other moments fall a little flat. The Nazi commander knowing these men are exactly to blame for his son’s death and their exact location is an odd moment, especially with how the son’s death is treated as a shame to the family. I could have used a little more characterization to understand why.
The werewolf part of the segment is exploitation nirvana with its violence, but the wolf costumes prove to be a bit lackluster in presentation. The subtle hints of scratches on the wall and why the keys are inside the cell are smart inclusions, but the tight framing makes the realizations feel like the characters, like the framing, are narrow in their field of vision, like when one of them steps on a body suddenly.
“The Finger” does a lot right, but has an overall issue with its main character. DJ Qualls is an extremely likeable actor, and so placing a toxic anger on top of him defeats the purpose of casting him. His character’s moments of candor, like breaking the fourth wall, are excellent ways into his mind, but it exists within a web of misogynistic language and odd choices that leave all the goodwill behind.
Greg Nicotero directs with a clever eye for detail and knowing to use gore effectively and profusely. His way of obscuring Bob the creature for most of his appearance plays with your imagination, while using reflections on the computer monitor and being blurred out of frame leaving you wanting more until his full reveal. There is a creative energy to the segment that helps make it the strongest of the two.
“The Finger” takes the idea of the overwhelming madness of the world being too much for some and takes it down a dark path. There are fun ideas in there, especially with the idea of Bob flying about to help right wrongs, but it’s muddled behind a somewhat problematic message of anyone annoying you deserving to pay with their life.
Creepshow Season 1 Episode 2, “Bad Wolf Down/The Finger,” takes some excellent ideas and executes them well enough, but some muddled messaging, paired with runtime and costume constraints, end up hurting the two segments overall. The star continues to be the direction and set production, using light and shadow well to create a vibe and mood that works well for Creepshow.
But as with Creepshow Season 1 Episode 1, “Gray Matter/The House of the Head,” the show needs a little more room to breathe.
What did you think of this episode of Creepshow? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Creepshow airs Thursdays at 9/8c on Shudder.
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Kevin Lever
Kevin Lever has been following television closely for most of his life, but in starting to cover it, he has grown a further appreciation. He strives to give the blockbusters their due, and give the lesser known shows a spotlight to find more fans.