How do you turn the game Werewolves into an exciting TV show? This attempt demanded a lot of patience from the viewer
The card game Werewolves has been adapted into a new primetime television series through a collaboration between NPO and Disney+. Despite high production values, the premiere suffered from slow pacing and a lack of clear explanation for new viewers, struggling to build the necessary excitement for a weekly series.
The popular card game Werewolves has been adapted into a television series, marking a unique collaboration between Dutch public broadcaster NPO and Disney+. While similar social deduction shows have gained traction in the Netherlands, this ambitious project aims to turn a simple living room game into a weekly primetime spectacle. The production utilizes a format already proven in France, featuring thirteen contestants including a mentalist, a hypnotist, and a crime journalist, all tasked with identifying wolves among their group.
However, the premiere episode struggled with pacing, taking nearly an hour to complete a single round of the game. For viewers unfamiliar with the mechanics of Werewolves, the introduction lacked necessary clarity, leaving many confused about the underlying stakes. Hosts Pieter Derks and Soundos El Ahmadi provided commentary from a forest set, yet their presence failed to generate the momentum needed to fully engage the audience. With a large cast and slow progression, the show missed the opportunity to build character rapport, leaving its future appeal uncertain for those forced to wait for weekly installments.
Based on reporting by parool. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.
