Interview: Josh Ruben (Werewolves Within)

RLJE Films, a business unit of AMC Networks, will release the critically acclaimed horror-comedy whodunit Werewolves Within on DVD and Blu-ray on December 7, 2021. IFC Films released Werewolves Within in theaters on June 25, 2021 and on Digital Rental & VOD on July 2, 2021.

Werewolves Within is directed by Josh Ruben (Scare Me) from a script by Mishna Wolff (I’m Down), and stars Sam Richardson (“Veep”, “Detroiters”), Milana Vayntrub (“This Is Us”), George Basil (“Crashing”), Sarah Burns (“Barry”), Michael Chernus (“Tommy/CBS”), Catherine Curtin (“Orange Is the New Black”), Wayne Duvall (“The Hunt”), Harvey Guillen (“What We Do In The Shadows”), Rebecca Henderson (“Russian Doll”), Cheyenne Jackson (“30 Rock”), Michaela Watkins (“The Unicorn,” Brittany Runs A Marathon), and Glenn Fleshler (“True Detective”).

Josh- Hi Janel.

Hi Josh, it’s so great to talk to you. I loved Werewolves Within. It was funny, exciting, it had some scary moments.

J.R.- Thank you so much for saying that.

How did Werewolves Within manifest for you?

J.R.- Well I wish it was idea through and through. It’s the brain child of Mishna Wolff who developed this script from the Women’s Film and Television Scholarship Program. So, it came to me pretty developed. I got to do a little bit of a comedic pass on it, and change some sequences. I’m so happy that it came to me. It was exactly the kind of movie I wanted to make. It’s a monster movie, funny, scary, and reminiscent of the kind of nostalgic films I loved watching as a kid.

It took me back to being a kid. I loved watching this movie. I thought I would have loved it as a kid.

J.R.- I feel the same way. It feels like kind of a gateway horror movie. I’m really taken by anyone who is a new fan of it.

What are you working on next and is there any chance of a sequel?

J.R.- I would love to do a prequel to Werewolves, I would love to do a prequel specifically. Right now, I’m in the town of Taylor, Texas producing a vampire film for a buddy of mine, Noah Sagan which is exciting. I just wrapped production on Death to 2021 the sequel to Death to 2020. That was exciting. I have various stuff cooking but not a lot I can talk about. I’m just excited to get home on December 17^th and be with my cat and fiancé.

Awe, what do you want to say to everyone that watched Werewolves Within?

J.R.- Thank you for watching it, I hope you didn’t get too scared. I hope you laugh until you went pee-pee, I hope you didn’t laugh too hard that you went poo-poo, or maybe you did? That would be a compliment. I can’t you thank you enough for supporting this film.

Where did you shoot at and was Beaverfield based on a real place? The inn and the location became a character in the movie.

J.R.- Yeah, it was a real location. It’s located outside of Fleischmanns New York which The Dead Don’t Die was shot. You can have your wedding there, stop in for a drink, and tell them Josh sent you.

How did you prepare for this film?

J.R.- I shot list the entire movie. I wasn’t able to do it before we got the location. I started quite early, and I love being prepared, and as much as I like working under pressure, I don’t like working under pressure in such a way that would be a detriment to my crew. If it’s just me, I have no problem with it. We only had one camera, we only have so much time. I wanted them [the cast] to be prepared for that.

What advice or words of wisdom would you offer?

J.R.- Just start making stuff and experiment. You want to make people feel something.

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk with me. I loved the movie. It reminded me of The Burbs if it was a monster movie. It was funny and had so many great moments.

J.R.- That’s so cool. I love The Burbs, any comparison to The Burbs makes my heart swell. I love Joe Dante. I think one of my favorite moments was when Joe Dante followed me on Twitter. I was over the moon, and I got to do his podcast. I couldn’t believe it.

I love Joe Dante too. The Burbs, Gremlins. Amazing work.

J.R.- It’s so good. Janel, I think I need to rewatch that. Thank you for reminding me.

Thank you so much Josh. It was an honor to talk to you.

J.R.- Thank you.

Josh Ruben IMDB https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2063694/