The first reactions to Marvel’s Halloween special Werewolf By Night have hit social media ahead of its Disney Plus debut this October.

Werewolf by Night is a very different release for Marvel Studios in a number of ways. It is the first standalone MCU special to hit Disney Plus and the first Marvel release to arrive entirely in black and white. The classic 1930s horror stylings of the special are also new ground for the MCU.

The Halloween special seems set to impress, with critics hailing it as the weirdest, scariest and one of the best MCU projects so far.

A Howling Success For Marvel

Fans attending the first secret screening at this year’s Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas were treated to a first look at Marvel Studios’ Werewolf By Night and reactions have been overwhelmingly positive.

Critics took to Twitter to reveal the Halloween special delivers a surprising degree of genuine horror, calling it “horrifying,” “brutal” and the “most violent thing Marvel has done yet.” The spooky special seems set to take the MCU in a bold new direction.

Check out some early reactions to Werewolf By Night below:

Marvel took a big swing with #WerewolfByNight and they knocked it out of the park. I love how the campy horror vibes blended with the Marvel style! @GaelGarciaB is the perfect actor to play Jack Russell and Man Thing will become a fan favourite! @m_giacchino didn't disappoint. pic.twitter.com/jSdxOnIR7j

— BSL (@bigscreenleaks) September 26, 2022

#WerewolfByNight REVIEW: HORRIFYING. SEXY. Marvel changes the game, delivering a TWISTED but fun affair that surpasses icons like Evil Dead & Halloween. WOW… This isn’t just another special, it’s the BEST horror ever made! GREAT music too. A fitting end setting up what’s next pic.twitter.com/LOtRgMt1bW

— watching as intended (@theatomchode) September 26, 2022

Didn’t expect the first #FantasticFest Secret Screening to be #WerewolfByNight directed by @m_giacchino one of my favorite composers. If you’re nostalgic for creature features of the 1930s this will be right up your alley. There’s plenty of blood and gore, and exciting fights. pic.twitter.com/1LYqP0jWJP

— Chris Stuckmann (@Chris_Stuckmann) September 26, 2022

Got the opportunity to catch #WerewolfByNight a bit early and this honestly may be my favorite Phase Four MCU project yet. It's brutal, it's chilling, it's effectively tongue-in-cheek, it's Marvel's first real dive into horror and is done so well. pic.twitter.com/iMkGM1n0Dw

— Grant Hermanns (@grantheftautho) September 26, 2022

Hats off to @m_giacchino for taking directorial risks that pay off in #WerewolfByNight, delivering awesome characters and monsters in a violent black & white saga.

Elsa kicks ass. Jack is a great, unpredictable addition. Hope to see more.

I immediately wanted to watch again. pic.twitter.com/whtr7VdzMV

— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) September 26, 2022

I’ve just attended a theatrical screening of Marvel Studios’ #WerewolfByNight. Unexpected to see the MCU at Fantastic Fest but man. That was such a fun time at the movies. Most violent thing Marvel has done yet. @m_giacchino has made a hell of a directorial debut! pic.twitter.com/5K2FQ2Kc4d

— Ernesto Valenzuela (@ThisIs_Ernesto) September 26, 2022

#WerewolfByNight is the MCU Halloween treat I was hoping for! A delightful ode to the classic monster movies with MCU-level stuntwork, production design & effects. LOVED the dynamic between Gael García Bernal & Laura Donnelly's characters and … pic.twitter.com/6KFGTcxZE9

— Perri Nemiroff (@PNemiroff) September 26, 2022

As well as Jack Russell, the titular Werewolf by Night, the special is set to introduce Man-Thing to the MCU. The Werewolf By Night comics also featured the debut of Moon Knight, so some fans may be hoping to see the special set up a future crossover with Oscar Isaac’s Marvel hero.

Werewolf by Night stars Gael García Bernal, Laura Donnelly, Harriet Sansom Harris, Al Hamacher, Eugenie Bondurant, Kirk Thatcheras Jovan, Jaycob Maya, and Daniel Watts. Michael Giacchino directed the special from a script written by Peter Cameron and Heather Quinn. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige serves as Executive Producer.

Werewolf by Night will be available on Disney Plus on October 7th. Stay tuned for all the latest news on the special and be sure to subscribe to Heroic Hollywood’s YouTube channel for more original video content.