Is Dances with Werewolves Worth Watching?
Answer: Maybe not, Dances with Werewolves is likely a skip if you enjoy Horror movies.
It features a runtime of 87 minutes and offers a standard storyline that appeals to mature audiences.
Dances with Werewolves Review
Last updated: January 9, 2026
The Premise
Released in 2016, Dances with Werewolves enters the Horror genre with a narrative focused on When Cassie flees an abusive relationship, and falls victim to a moon-worshiping 600-year-old Romanian Countess, a troubled paranormal investigator of Native American heritage finds himself in a deadly love triangle with a battered-woman werewolf. Under the direction of Dan Golden, the film attempts to weave detailed character arcs with visual storytelling.
Cast & Performance
The film is anchored by performances from Aqueela Zoll, Tatiana Neva, Omar Paz Trujillo. While the cast delivers competent performances, the script occasionally limits their range.
Technical Aspects & Direction
From a technical standpoint, Dances with Werewolves offers a competent presentation. The cinematography aligns well with the tone, keeping the narrative moving at a brisk pace.
Where to Watch
As of January 2026, Dances with Werewolves is available in theaters worldwide. For streaming audiences in the US and UK, look for availability on major platforms roughly 45 days after the theatrical release. Check your local listings for specific showtimes.
Final Thoughts
With an audience rating of 5.2/10, the reception has been divisive. For fans of Horror, it serves as a skippable entry unless you go in with lowered expectations.
Cast of Dances with Werewolves
- Aqueela Zoll – Cassie
- Tatiana Neva – Daciana
- Omar Paz Trujillo – Jay Nightraven
- Lauren Parkinson – Lydia
- Madeleine Wade – Queeni
Top Highlights
Aqueela ZollCassie
Tatiana NevaDaciana
Omar Paz TrujilloJay Nightraven
Lauren ParkinsonLydia
Madeleine WadeQueeni
Jacqui HollandLady
Jim TavaréSam
Jane Justice ParkMs. Romain
Brett WagnerChino
John GulagerDriver #1
Final Verdict
Analyzing the audience sentiment, IMDb rating of 5.2/10, and global collection metrics, Dances with Werewolves stands as a challenging project for the creators. It remains an essential piece of the 2016 cinematic year.
Official Trailer
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dances with Werewolves movie hit or flop?
Dances with Werewolves has received mixed reviews with a 5.2/10 rating, making it a moderate success with the audience.
Is Dances with Werewolves worth watching?
Dances with Werewolves is a mixed bag. It might be worth watching if you're a fan of Horror movies, but read reviews first.
What genre is Dances with Werewolves?
Dances with Werewolves is a Horror movie that When Cassie flees an abusive relationship, and falls victim to a moon-worshiping 600-year-old Romanian Countess, a troubled paranormal investigator of...
You Might Also Like
Explore More Verdicts
More with Aqueela Zoll
View full filmography
Critic Reviews
**_This is not a sequel to “Dances With Wolves”_** A young woman escapes abuse in Kansas and goes to Los Angeles to find work (Aqueela Zoll). She ends up meeting a paranormal expert & his assistant (Omar Paz Trujillo & Lauren Parkinson), who are interested in a string of slayings involving males with their guts ripped out. Could the crimes have anything to do with a Moon-worshipping countess (Tatiana Neva)? “Dances with Werewolves” (2017) is cut from the same cloth as Jason Momoa’s “Wolves” from three years prior, meshed with a little Coppola’s “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” such as bits of the score. Like “Wolves,” it’s reminiscent of Marvel Comics’ Werewolf by Night, at least the Don Perlin stint. It could’ve been the next sequel of The Howling franchise, after 2011’s “The Howling Reborn.” The writer/director team has a good eye for photographing women without getting sleazy. Protagonist Aqueela (Cassie) is the highlight, as well as Tatiana as the countess, both semi-statuesque. Winsome Kali Cook (Sheri) is worth a mention, although her part is small. Madeleine Wade (Queeni) and Jacqui Holland (Lady) are also on hand, but they’re prostitutes, which is a turn-off for me, not that they stay in that occupation (lol). The elaboration on the differences between werewolves, skin-walkers and shapeshifters is interesting, as is the idea of exorcizing a werewolf of its bestial infection. Sure, the cast are no-names and the flick’s comic booky, but it's well made for what it is and delivers the requisite entertainment. It runs 1 hour, 26 minutes, and was shot in the Los Angeles area. GRADE: B