MOVIE REVIEW – George Clooney and Brad Pitt demonstrate once again that their on-screen chemistry is unmatched, even when the film itself falters at times. In Wolfs, an action-comedy, the pair delivers the perfect blend of tension and humor, just as expected. Director Jon Watts cleverly takes advantage of their natural charisma, though the film’s thin storyline and occasional pacing issues keep it from fully realizing its potential. Despite this, audiences will be drawn in by the sharp dialogue and nostalgic charm Clooney and Pitt bring to the screen.

The most successful buddy comedies have always relied on the subtle balance between tension and the forced camaraderie of unlikely pairs. While much of that magic comes from the interaction between the leads, some projects can fall flat when the chemistry is off. However, when it’s there, the quick-fire banter and thrilling action scenes make for an irresistible combination. Such is the case in Wolfs, where Clooney and Pitt’s proven chemistry elevates Jon Watts’ latest action-comedy. Fresh off the back of his Spider-Man trilogy for Marvel, Watts reunites the two Hollywood heavyweights as rival fixers, forced to work together on a high-stakes job. Though the charismatic duo inject plenty of intrigue and excitement into the film, Wolfs occasionally stumbles over its thin plot and uneven pacing.

Visually, however, Watts and his team deliver a striking film. The use of winter nights as a backdrop reflects the emotional distance between these “lone wolves,” with the setting becoming almost a character in itself. The cold, unforgiving environment perfectly sets the tone, amplifying the tension and chaos between the leads. Watts proves he’s capable of creating compelling characters without capes and superpowers, making the human elements shine. While the characters are fleshed out enough to grab our interest and make us want more (especially with a sequel already announced), the inconsistent pacing and flimsy plot of Wolfs prevent it from fully capitalizing on the star power at its core.

What is Wolfs About?

Wolfs revolves around Jack (Clooney) and Nick (Pitt), two “lone wolf” fixers known for cleaning up high-profile messes, like the one Amy Ryan’s character, Margaret, finds herself in at an upscale Manhattan hotel. After a disastrous affair between the district attorney’s deputy and a bumbling guy known only as “The Kid” (Austin Abrams) leaves the latter sprawled “dead” on the hotel room floor, Jack and Nick are called in to cover it up. Reluctantly, they must team up to handle the situation, despite their mutual disdain for working together.

What follows is a buddy-comedy full of biting sarcasm and cynical humor, as Jack and Nick’s professional rivalry leads to plenty of friction, though both are equally skilled. The Oscar-and-Felix dynamic generates plenty of laughs and creates a nostalgic atmosphere that reminds us why these two actors are so beloved. As the plot thickens, it’s revealed that the Kid isn’t dead at all—he’s alive and kicking, a fast-talking business student who overdosed on heroin while running an errand for a friend. With the job unfinished, Jack and Nick are forced to babysit the sloppy Kid and help him return the drugs to their rightful owner—an Albanian mob.

As the night progresses, the backdrop subtly transforms, reflecting the growing camaraderie between the trio against an increasingly intimate setting. The film delivers not only hilarious moments between Clooney and Pitt but also a new level of chaos as the Kid complicates matters further. Watts skillfully uses inventive angles to create a dynamic energy that complements the film’s humor, with standout moments including a creatively absurd body disposal scene and a comically outlandish chase sequence in which Nick, defying his age, runs after a drug-addled man in his underwear through downtown Manhattan. In these mean streets, Wolfs feels thoroughly fun, with a classic Hollywood charm and noir-inspired cinematography that, combined with the comedy, makes for a more relaxed pace.

Clooney and Pitt Bring Exactly What We Expect

It’s no surprise that the chemistry between Clooney and Pitt is what makes Wolfs so likable. Their effortless charisma and sharp sense of humor showcase why they are two of Hollywood’s most reliable leading men, deftly balancing tension and laughs in every scene. Their constant back-and-forth riffing provides genuinely entertaining moments, harkening back to their Ocean’s Eleven days, where they similarly played off each other’s strengths. Watts skillfully blends action with comedy and suspense, but Clooney and Pitt are the heart and soul of this wild, unpredictable buddy comedy. Through subtle gestures and understated expressions, the duo infuse the film with heart, carried by their witty exchanges and comedic tension. Their dynamic communicates a lot without words, like in the scenes where they both reach for Advil or their reading glasses, conveying self-aware humor with quiet brilliance.

Clooney’s trademark charm and quick wit are magnetic in every scene. His portrayal of a seasoned fixer whose calm exterior masks a world-weary professionalism heightens the film’s tension while making his character relatable. Pitt, meanwhile, brings his signature cocky yet affable energy, offering a more unpredictable and nuanced performance. Nick is harder to read than the more grounded Jack, which makes their dynamic exciting and adds depth to the film, making even the slower scenes memorable.

Though Pitt and Clooney exude a rare mix of movie star gravitas and playful humor, Austin Abrams holds his own against these Hollywood veterans. Injecting fresh energy into the dynamic between these two tired old wolves, Abrams (known for Euphoria and Dash & Lily) becomes an essential part of the plot, providing a sharp contrast to the larger-than-life fixers. His witty one-liners and awkward social cues, delivered amid the chaos, ground the film’s most absurd moments, elevating the emotional stakes without overshadowing the leads.

Wolfs Bites Lightly, but Still Entertains

Despite the strong chemistry between Clooney and Pitt, Wolfs misses a few key opportunities. That doesn’t mean it won’t be a fun rewatch when it drops on Apple TV+ after its theatrical release, but it suffers from a lack of depth and plot complexity, often meandering without giving enough space for the sharp twists and turns that could have elevated it. It’s not a film that seeks to reinvent the genre, but it’s a bit too simplistic. Some scenes drag on, contributing to the uneven pacing, like the hotel room cleanup or the chase sequence, which feels more for comic relief than anything else, leaving some moments undercooked. Plenty of questions remain unanswered, like who exactly is Margaret, or what the Kid’s connection to the drug dealers really is. Poorna Jagannathan’s brief but intriguing appearance as Lily, a woman with a mysterious past with the pair, is another underdeveloped thread.

All of this leads to an abrupt ending, which makes sense once you realize Watts is laying the groundwork for a potential franchise for Apple TV+. While it has more star power than Netflix’s roster of blockbusters, there’s still something unsatisfying about the experience. The narrative feels like it’s skating on the surface, relying too heavily on Clooney and Pitt’s charm. What should be crucial elements are glossed over or merely hinted at, leaving the characters feeling underdeveloped despite the strong performances. The initial tension and rivalry between the leads never evolves into anything deeper, especially compared to the most successful buddy comedies.

While undeniably fun, this aspect undercuts the film’s lasting impact, despite it being an enjoyable ride. Wolfs is lighter than expected and, as an action-comedy, has a surprisingly low body count, leaning more on its humorous tone. The slow-motion slapstick car crash is by far one of the funniest moments in the film and a testament to Watts’ visual comedy skills. It’s a rare sight in modern comedies and fits the tone of the film perfectly, making Wolfs feel distinct and smart. As a film driven by the undeniable chemistry of its leads, Wolfs draws most of its strength from Clooney and Pitt’s effortless interplay, even with its narrative shortcomings. For fans of light-hearted action-comedies, Wolfs is a thoroughly entertaining watch—even if it doesn’t quite leave a lasting bite.

-Herpai Gergely “BadSector”-