Leigh Whannell, the visionary filmmaker behind the acclaimed 2020 adaptation of The Invisible Man, returns to reimagine another horror classic with Wolf Man. Written by Whannell alongside Corbett Tuck, this reboot of The Wolf Man (1941), delivers a gripping, if occasionally uneven, exploration of terror and trauma.

Christopher Abbott (It Comes At Night, Possssor, Poor Things) is Blake, a husband and father struggling to reconcile with painful childhood memories and feelings of inadequacy as a jobless writer. When news arrives that his estranged father has been officially declared dead years after his disappearance in the wilderness, Blake is forced to confront the ghosts of his past. What begins as a journey to settle his father’s affairs soon evolves into a nightmarish ordeal that puts both his sanity and his family’s safety at risk.

Joined by his wife Charlotte, played by Julia Garner (Ozark, The Assistant, Inventing Anna), and their young daughter Ginger, Blake returns to his remote childhood home. The tension within the family is palpable, as Blake and Charlotte navigate a strained marriage amid feelings of guilt on the part of absentee mother Charlotte and troubled Blake.

However, the family’s personal struggles quickly take a backseat when they find themselves hunted by a mysterious assailant. As the plot unfolds, the film deftly balances its supernatural horror elements with a harrowing examination of domestic abuse and generational trauma.

Whannell’s approach to storytelling remains as compelling as ever, weaving subtext into the fabric of his horror narrative. While Wolf Man occasionally falters in its pacing—with some scenes feeling rushed and others dragging unnecessarily—the film’s emotional core keeps the audience invested. The thematic exploration of inherited trauma is particularly poignant, lending the movie a depth that elevates it beyond mere monster fare.

Abbott’s performance as Blake is raw and emotionally charged, capturing the character’s inner turmoil with remarkable intensity. Julia Garner is equally impressive as Charlotte, delivering a layered portrayal of a woman caught between her love for her husband and the need to protect her daughter at all cost.

Whannell’s direction shines in the way he builds tension through atmosphere and suspense, using the wilderness setting to create a sense of isolation. The creature design is equally effective, striking a balance between classic werewolf aesthetics and modern cinematic flair. However, the reliance on jump scares in certain moments feels somewhat formulaic and detracts from the otherwise sophisticated tone.

Despite its minor flaws, Wolf Man succeeds in offering a fresh perspective on a well-trodden legend. Whannell’s ability to blend visceral horror with meaningful themes solidifies his reputation as a master of the genre. While it may not reach the heights of Whannell’s previous works, it remains a chilling and thought-provoking film all the same.

REVIEW OVERVIEW
Wolf Man
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Linda Marric
Linda Marric is a senior film critic and the newly appointed Reviews Editor for HeyUGuys. She has written extensively about film and TV over the last decade. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies from King's College London, she has worked in post-production on a number of film projects and other film related roles. She has a huge passion for intelligent Scifi movies and is never put off by the prospect of a romantic comedy. Favourite movie: Brazil.
wolf-man-reviewA chilling and thought-provoking film, Wolf Man succeeds in offering a fresh perspective on a well-trodden legend. Whannell’s ability to blend visceral horror with meaningful themes solidifies his reputation as a master of the genre.