Uncaged, The Werewolf and the Frat Boys

2016's "Uncaged" is, what we'll call, a minor werewolf film.  Hardly on the scale of "An American Werewolf in London," but most enjoyable, nonetheless. Small budget and diminutive special f/x, this indie impresses with fantastic acting, a nice story, and great direction by Daniel Robbins. In what, at first glance, may seem like a minor monster movie, what we actually have is a few different plot elements meshed, and finally meeting in a bloody finale.

Okay, 12 years ago Jack's (Ben Getz) parents are killed...or murdered...or something.  Well you'll see, but it wasn't what it originally seemed.  Present day, Jack and his two fraternity brothers, Turner (Kyle Kirkpatrick) and Brandon (Zack Weiner) answer a mysterious invitation to spend a week at Jack's uncle's rustic cabin.  Brandon is a geek, destined to be a virgin forever, and Turner is quite the sexual conqueror.  Uh oh...Jack begins waking up naked in the middle of the woods with no recollection of how he got there. Brilliant idea! Jack goes to bed with a GoPro,and this time he is able to see what brought him into the woods.  Double uh oh....the GoPro captures Jack, as a monster, ripping apart a poor schmuck and chasing the sap's date.

Turns out, the date is Rose (Pauline Singer), who was cheating on her husband with aforementioned schmuck.  Yep, Jack and Rose will turn sweet on each other which will have complications.  See, Rose's husband is some sort of gangland thug who loves killing puppies. Gonzo (Garrett Hendricks) is a sadistic S.O.B. who gets off on torture and power.  He suspects Jack is moving in on his girl and he sets his evil eyes on our protagonist/monster.  Meanwhile, as Turner is figuring out that his buddy is a werewolf, he finds his own woman, the sultry Crystal (Michelle Cameron), and the two engage in pre-marital sex...can you guess Crystal's fate?  For Jack to understand what is happening to him, he needs answers from his past, 12 years ago.  No dice, by a quirk of fate, Turner accidentally ends that possibility. As Rose asks Jack to kill Gonzo, she has no idea how equipped Jack is to do just that.

Will Jack eliminate Gonzo and run off with the pretty Rose?  Will the immaturity of Brandon and Turner ruin a happy ending for Jack?  Just what are those secrets from 12 years ago that put Jack's fate into motion?  This low budget, indie film is worth a look and is available on Netflix.