The story opens in 1764 and Gregoire de Fronsac (Samuel Le Bihan) and his faithful Iroquois companion, Mani (Mark Dacascos), have arrived in Gevaudan to hunt down and kill a fearsome beast that has been terrorizing the district. Rumors abound, but the common belief is that its a werewolf-like demon. Fronsac, a man of science, disputes this. He believes that there is some more prosaic at work than the devil. Soon after arriving in Gevaudan, Fronsac meets the twisted Jean-Francois de Morangias (Vincent Cassel), a bitterly sardonic young man who has lost one arm, and his pretty sister, Marianne (Emilie Dequenne), who falls for Fronsac.
With the exception of a couple of fights, there's not much action during Brotherhood's first hour - mostly the first half fleshes out the characters and their relationships. Indeed, we only catch half-glimpse of the Beast. However, once the action begins it never lets up. We are treated to one martial arts showdown after another, leaving us to wonder if Jackie Chan is really French. Brotherhood of the Wolf reminded me of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in intent, if not in specifics. The film has the look and feel of a high-end comic book (or, to purists, a "graphic novel"). The production is steeped in style with gorgeous landscaped scenes to the slow motion bursts of action.
Brotherhood of the Wolf isn't exactly a "guiltly pleasure" - there is an element of artistry and airyness. But, it's strongest appeal will be to those who don't mind their movies straying beyond the accepted border of what we call "reality". The move has something in it to appeal to just about everyone - religious politics, incestuous longing, a little gratuitous sex and nudity, savage fight scenes, a dollop of romance, and an impressive looking monster that is both more and less than it seems.