Wolf Girl - A Movie Review

Step right up, step this way! Enjoy the show.

Wolf Girl is a 2001 film. A traveling freak show arrives in town. Tara Talbot is titled the ‘Terrifying Wolf Girl’ in the circus. Her body is covered with hair from head to toe. When she meets a group of local teens, Tara questions her place in the world and longs for normalcy.

This is the kind of movie that I love. Wolf Girl astounded me. It’s a rare and obscure film that merits more recognition for its unconventional storyline. While the film emphasizes the circus elements, characters and storylines deserve more development.

An interesting cast of actors is in Wolf Girl, most of who were unknown. That doesn’t go for Tim Curry, who plays the circus ringleader, Harley Dune. He is the best performance! Curry is a multi-talented actor and he demonstrates his musical talents.

I originally thought Curry’s character would be cruel and overpowering, but he is the total opposite. He looks out for the carnies, especially Tara. Curry excels in the role, adding layers to the character.

Tara (Victoria Sanchez) longs to be normal, but she is still happy with who she is. Tara is a nuanced character, which is what makes her so fascinating. I want to know more about her character. It would have given viewers a better idea of her desires.

Sanchez delivers a heartfelt performance as Tara. She manifests vulnerability, strength, and curiosity. I have never heard of her, but I have been researching more of Sanchez’s films. She made this character feel real.

Anyone who starred in this film should be considered lucky. The late Darlene Cates, who was famously known for her role in Gilbert Grape, stars as Athena the fat woman. Her involvement is another reason why I wanted to watch this film.

Cates’ story is inspiring and I recommend that you research her life. She chose her roles carefully to ensure that she wasn’t being ridiculed. Cates is another highlight of Wolf Girl. Athena takes a maternal role in Tara. One scene bestows Cates’s remarkable and fierce talents.

Wolf Girl has two ensembles. One side plays the ‘normal’ people. Credits include Shawn Ashmore, Shelby Fenner, Nate Dushku, and Dov Tiefenbach. Their main duty is teasing the carnies, which become redundant.

And then there’s the ensemble of carnies. What was the casting process like for this film? The cast contains actors with dwarfism, double-jointed ligaments, and odd spectacles. An assortment of actors perform unbelievable tricks.

Wolf Girl is so underrated. Since watching this movie, I have searched the Internet for anything I could find about this movie. Thom Fitzgerald’s direction is noteworthy for his balance of dark, gothic elements with moments of tender humanity. Fitzgerald creates a visually compelling world, utilizing the nature of the circus.

He elicited strong performances but could have delved deeper into the characters to craft a more compelling storyline. As exciting as the circus acts are, the film devotes too much time, overshadowing the film’s message. We all have insecurities, most of which are not in plain sight.

Everyone who was involved in the making of this film did extraordinary work and research. The makeup team deserves praise, especially for Tara’s hair prosthetics.

Wolf Girl is not a film for all audiences. It contains sensitive material and nudity. It’s also disturbing. Before watching it, research this film to know what you’re getting into.

Wolf Girl deserves a larger audience. I am watching this film a second time because it’s a thrilling time. Watch it on Tubi.