Review: Wolfs offers lighthearted crime caper with Brad Pitt and George Clooney but lacks impact

Wolfs, a high-concept comedy-thriller starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney, premiered at the Venice Film Festival, drawing attention for its playful take on the crime genre. Directed by Jon Watts, known for his work on the Spider-Man: Homecoming trilogy, the film sees Pitt and Clooney portraying veteran crime fixers who unexpectedly find themselves on the same assignment. The film’s premise is built on the humorous notion that the two characters, Nick and Jack, are nearly identical in both appearance and demeanor.

The film opens with a dramatic scene set against the Manhattan skyline, where a woman, played by Amy Ryan, finds herself in a precarious situation after a young man she meets ends up dead—or so it seems. Both Pitt and Clooney’s characters are called to clean up the mess, leading to a series of twists and turns as they chase the supposedly dead man, who is revealed to be alive and on the run through Lower Manhattan.

Critics have noted the film's self-aware humor, with Xan Brooks of The Guardian describing Wolfs as "a silly, self-satisfied crime caper," but added that "the headline stars look as though they are enjoying themselves and their sense of fun, by and large, is infectious." However, Brooks pointed out that the central gag—Pitt and Clooney playing near-identical characters—wears thin as the film progresses, limiting its impact. The film, while entertaining, ultimately "spins its wheels" after the initial joke is established.

Wolfs will be released in North American cinemas on 20 September and will be available globally on Apple TV+ from 27 September.