Wolf Man Review

Wolf Man (15)

Dir. Leigh Whannell

Reviewed by Matt Adcock (X @cleric20, Bluesky @cleric20.bsky.social)

If you go down to the woods today you shouldn't beware the big teeth and wild eyes because the latest werewolf tale, Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man manages to bring the beast out in style. A monster-em-up with plenty of growl and bite, this modern reboot doesn’t rewrite the rulebook but wears its gothic influences proudly while throwing in enough blood and pathos to make it stand out.

Christopher Abbott leads the pack as Lawrence Talbot, a man whose return to his cursed ancestral home sets him on a one-way collision with his inner beast. Abbott’s performance is solid, he captures the anguish of a man torn between civility and savagery, but Julia Garner, as his wife Charlotte, quietly steals the show. Garner brings depth and a grounded emotional core to the proceedings without overshadowing the central lycanthropic chaos. Let’s just say she’s one of those actors who elevates anything she’s in, and she does so here with finesse rather than flash.

The film feels like a spiritual successor to the 2010 The Wolfman starring Benicio Del Toro. Like its predecessor, this version revels in moonlit mayhem, foggy forests, and the gothic dread of an inherited curse. But where the 2010 film leaned into operatic melodrama, and had a weak-ass-looking werewolf, Whannell’s take is sharper and more visceral, with transformation scenes that evoke Cronenberg-esque body horror rather than CGI spectacle. Practical effects fans will be pleased, these wolves have claws, teeth, and sinew that feel all too real - even if he doesn't go 'full wolf'...

'mummy, why's daddy pissing up that tree?'

Composer Benjamin Wallfisch’s haunting score complements the film’s dark atmosphere, enhancing the overall viewing experience. Speaking of which there are some very creative moments where we get to witness the enhanced hearing and ‘wolf vision’ - paying homage to the classic Wolfen.

The mist-drenched Oregon setting is a nice departure from the usual Victorian locales, though it still has a dark fairytale quality that fans of The Howling or The Company of Wolves will appreciate.

That said, this is not a reinvention of the genre. It lacks the anarchic wit of An American Werewolf in London, but it compensates with a steady commitment to its tragic heart. Whannell’s direction shows reverence for the classics while injecting modern tension, much like the 2010 Wolfman aimed to do but with a little more restraint here.

Wolf Man is a worthy addition to the werewolf canon, a tragic, blood-soaked tale that respects its hairy heritage while delivering fresh ferocity.

Out of a potential 5, you have to go with a Darkmatters:

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(4 - A stylish reinvention that works...)

Top Werewolf Films:

Here’s my list of the best hairy-em-ups to sink your teeth into, each a testament to the enduring power of the werewolf myth:

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

The gold standard. John Landis blends pitch-black humour with visceral horror, featuring groundbreaking transformation effects and a standout performance from David Naughton.

The Howling (1981)

Joe Dante’s cult classic is a sleazy, terrifying romp with inventive effects and a biting critique of self-help culture.

Wolfen (1981)

What sets Wolfen apart is its atmospheric approach, using the then-groundbreaking thermographic “wolf vision” to give viewers a predator’s perspective, heightening the tension. The film is less about traditional werewolves and more about shape-shifting, supernatural wolves representing an environmental and societal reckoning.

Dog Soldiers (2002)

Neil Marshall’s action-packed werewolf thriller pits British soldiers against a pack of beasts in the Scottish Highlands. Equal parts terrifying and hilarious.

Wolf (1994)

Jack Nicholson as a werewolf? Oh yes! This sleek and surprisingly introspective tale explores power, lust, and the primal instincts we all try to hide.

Wer (2013)

This under appreciated gem blends found footage with brutal realism as a lawyer defends a man accused of being a werewolf, until things take a terrifying turn.

Late Phases (2014)

A touching and gory tale of an elderly blind war veteran taking on a werewolf terrorizing his retirement community. Nick Damici shines in the lead role.

Silver Bullet (1985)

Based on a Stephen King novella, this small-town thriller mixes coming-of-age drama with classic werewolf carnage. Gary Busey steals the show.

The Company of Wolves (1984)

Neil Jordan’s dreamlike adaptation of Angela Carter’s feminist retelling of Little Red Riding Hood is a visual feast and a deep dive into the psychology of fairy tales.

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