Wolf Man Review
Universal Pictures’ modern adaptations based on their roster of horror movie icons continues to hold strong with Wolf Man. What Leigh Whannell, Blumhouse, and Universal started really goes to show how much potential these monsters have. If The Invisible Man went to show how dramatic and thrilling its titular character could be, then Wolf Man truly shows the era’s more gruesome side. Sure, these films might not be interconnected as Universal had originally intended with its Dark Universe, but this standalone adaptation of the 1941 classic puts into perspective how intriguing it’s all been in general.
Wolf Man follows a father, mother, and daughter, after they’ve inherited an old family house. However, on their way, they get attacked by the mysterious and brooding entity known as the Wolf Man, who’s hunting them down. In the midst of it, Blake, the father, accidentally gets injured and begins undergoing a grotesque transformation into something terrifying. Stuck in the middle of the woods, the family must somehow escape this menacing forest or die trying to the Wolf Man.
From the first few moments of Wolf Man, it already nails in that ominous tone perfectly. Opening up on a flashback to a young Blake being reprimanded by his strict father, the film establishes what’s to come nicely. As the two go hunting, there’s this slow, but steady, tension with a clear focus on emphasizing the threat. Each shot here, thanks to that first-person perspective, really makes you feel unsettled, especially when things start to escalate.
This escalation in terror really wouldn’t have been possible without Leigh Whannell’s direction. His vision in building this eerie environment, thanks to The Invisible Man and Saw, truly makes itself known. Every looming shot that involves the movement of the Wolf Man and the family makes you think a jumpscare is coming. Surprisingly, the timing of those jumpscares can actually catch you off-guard since they occur when you least expect.
Of course, along with the horror of Wolf Man comes the action, which does not disappoint. As the family races against the clock, the camerawork and editing do their best in capturing each blow. From the family’s initial crash to what comes later in the film, it truly gets gruesome and bloody as to be expected. Plus, with the added practical effects, it makes each blow feel extremely brutal.
The practical effects of Wolf Man are something to behold as well. If you saw what the monster looked like at Halloween Horror Nights, then you’re in for a treat here. The Wolf Man is wonderfully deformed enough where it stands out on its own, slightly looking like a blend of Monstro Elisasue from The Substance and Nicolas Cage’s Longlegs. In addition, the transformation that Blake endures over time is a whole mess that does great emphasizing the horror aspect of this film.
On the characters themselves, Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, and Matilda Firth simply do good with their roles. Garner’s Charlotte, the matriarch of the family, is the biggest highlight of Wolf Man as she gradually takes on a more prominent role. In the beginning, she’s much more focused on her work, but when things shift into high gear, Charlotte really takes shape. Firth’s Ginger is a sweetheart and serves as a good conduit for a more lighthearted tone despite the overboding darkness.
Yet, nothing in Wolf Man would seem to work without Abbott’s Blake. There’s this subtle complexity to him in the beginning as he tries to balance work and parenting. However, when he gets injured by the Wolf Man and begins transforming, this emphasis on his emotional and mental splits really shows. We also get a special perspective on Blake as he turns into another Wolf Man as the editing and visual effects work their wonders. As such, it almost makes us feel sympathetic for what Blake is going through. It does a good job of showing rather than telling.
However, the main aspect that Wolf Man seems to falter in is its story. When you begin piecing these bits of narrative together, it starts to feel somewhat predictable. Whether it be through dialogue or through what we see in a scene, it can make us think that what we see will eventually come. For the most part, this happens, especially once the final act kicks in. Furthermore, the second act felt somewhat slow and with the added predictability, it may drag your attention a bit too long.
Nonetheless, Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man is a confidently unnerving film adaptation of one of Universal Studios’ classic monster stories. While its action, practical effects, and cinematography carry this film, its story and pacing could use some improvements to make it compelling. Yet, it’s still a fun and thrilling watch for any horror movie cinephile that loves movies that honor and respect the past.
Wolf Man arrives in theaters Friday, January 17.
Rating: ★★★½
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Christopher Gallardo is a freelance entertainment writer and critic. While not running The Reel Roller, Chris can be found writing reviews and breakdowns on all things films and TV. Outside of entertainment writing, he’s currently taking classes for a Bachelor’s of Science with a minor in Digital Media & Journalism. Plus, he loves Percy Jackson, animated films and shows, and Fallout! Follow Christopher on Instagram & X.