Performance & Direction: The Wolf's Call Review
Last updated: January 21, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is The Wolf's Call (2019) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a SUPER HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.5/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Thriller.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Thriller is often anchored by its ensemble, and The Wolf's Call features a noteworthy lineup led by François Civil . Supported by the likes of Omar Sy and Mathieu Kassovitz , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of The Wolf's Call (2019) is overwhelmingly positive. With an audience rating of 7.5/10, it stands as a mandatory watch for any serious cinema lover.
Story & Plot Summary: The Wolf's Call
Quick Plot Summary: The Wolf's Call is a Thriller, Action, Adventure film that builds tension through unpredictable twists and keeps audiences guessing until the final reveal. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
The plot weaves a complex web of mystery and suspense. Shown from the perspective of a young submariner with unusually sensitive hearing and uncannily precise sound recognition. The fate of many often depends on his ability, and one time, whilst highly stressed, he makes a incorrect call which put his entire crew in mortal danger. Trying to regain the confidence of his comrades, he conducts an unauthorised investigation of an apparent plot which, it turns out, risks escalating into a nuclear apocalypse. Suddenly working under pressure with the fleet admiral, they must do whatever is necessary, even the unthinkable, to prevent a nuclear war, since a confirmed nuclear strike order cannot be countermanded. Information is revealed strategically, keeping viewers engaged as they piece together clues alongside the protagonist. The narrative maintains momentum through well-timed revelations and unexpected turns.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: The opening scene plants the seeds of mystery, introducing questions that will drive the narrative forward.
- Character Arc: The protagonist undergoes a meaningful transformation, with their journey feeling earned and emotionally resonant. Supporting characters are well-developed, each serving a purpose in the narrative.
- Climax & Resolution: All mysteries converge in a climax that recontextualizes earlier events and delivers satisfying answers.
Thematic Depth
The film operates on multiple levels, using its genre framework to explore deeper themes about human nature, society, and the choices that define us.
What Works & What Doesn't
✅ Strengths
- Exceptional storytelling that balances entertainment with substance
- Strong performances that bring depth to the characters
- Technical excellence in cinematography, editing, and sound design
⚠️ Weaknesses
- Minor pacing issues that do not significantly detract from the experience
- A few underdeveloped subplots
Ending Explained: The Wolf's Call
Ending Breakdown: The Wolf's Call resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to thriller resolution.
The final reveal recontextualizes earlier scenes, creating a memorable conclusion that audiences have responded to positively.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the thriller themes in a way that feels organic to the story.
The final moments of The Wolf's Call demonstrate careful narrative planning, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch The Wolf's Call?
Highly Recommended For:
- Fans of Thriller cinema looking for quality storytelling
- Viewers who appreciate gripping suspense and clever plot twists
- Anyone seeking a well-crafted film that delivers on its promises
Box Office Collection: The Wolf's Call
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $22.4M |
| Worldwide Gross | $12.7M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
The Wolf's Call Budget
The estimated production budget for The Wolf's Call is $22.4M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: The Wolf's Call
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch The Wolf's Call Online?
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Amazon VideoApple TVGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeThe Wolf's Call Parents Guide & Age Rating
2019 AdvisoryWondering about The Wolf's Call age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of The Wolf's Call is 116 minutes (1h 56m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 7.5/10, and global collection metrics, The Wolf's Call stands as a successful venture for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2019 cinematic year.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Wolf's Call worth watching?
The Wolf's Call is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Thriller movies. It has a verified rating of 7.5/10 and stands as a SUPER HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find The Wolf's Call parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for The Wolf's Call identifies it as Not Rated. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of The Wolf's Call?
The total duration of The Wolf's Call is 116 minutes, which is approximately 1h 56m long.
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Critic Reviews for The Wolf's Call
Me and my kids where shopping for other stuff at FNAC in Geneva, our go to store for not too advanced stuff in audio, video and computer gadgets, when we found this movie. I made a quick search on IMDb and it looked like it might, finally, be a good French made movie. Apart from Louis de Funès comedies that is, I really love most of those. Well, it turned out to be a huge disappointment. I guess I should have checked a bit more. For instance the fact that the oxygen wasting “critics” at Rotten SJW Tomatoes gave it a 100% rating should have been a red flag. Or maybe the ludicrous non-descriptive one liner description of the movie. I mean, it’s like buying a car from a dealer that says “It’s a cool car”. Well, in my gaming days I was a great fan of submarine simulators, especially WW2 ones, so I guess I got suckered. For starters, the premise of the movie itself, once you start watching that is, is nonsensical. One, I say ONE, missile is fired against French territory, it is assumed to be nuclear, no real evidence, and France decides to retaliate while said missile is still in flight. Seriously? That’s something that North Korea would do. Not a civilized country and despite the fact that France right now has the worst president in modern history I would still say France counts as a civilized country. The the movie starts with some “action” and here we are immediately shown that the writer is totally clueless as far as any form of military procedures, strategy or … well.. whatever. A nuclear submarine surfaces, the captain, the CAPTAIN, goes up in the conning tower and fires a hand held SAM on a chopper sent from a destroyer nearby. Oh, by the way, he forgot to remove the safety on the first try. The destroyer does absolutely nothing during this exchange. You’re fucking kidding me ??? Then the movie spends a shitload of time with the hero moping and moaning and being unfairly treated by the hierarchy. The film got really boring at this point. The one good part is that the superior officers, at the end, is actually the most competent characters in the movie. When the action finally starts again it’s … well the same crap as before. Utterly unbelievable and totally unrealistic. Even the dumbass president Macron would, hopefully, known that a nuclear strike cannot be called off just like that. And when it finally comes to blows, for some reason, the “enemy” submarine has all kinds of countermeasures while the “good guys” never launches any. As I wrote before, the writer is clueless. It’s just a incredibly bad movie. Full stop!
There is a large section of the film set out of the water, but once back under the waves it moves more quickly, the story putting all its weight on Chanteraide's ears. If you're howling for a slice of Tom Clancy-esque military action cheese, you'll enjoy 'The Wolf's Call'. - Jake Watt Read Jake's full article... https://www.maketheswitch.com.au/article/review-the-wolfs-call-suspense-silliness-and-sonar-sweeps
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
