Wolf Man: Whannell’s beastly film has bark, but doesn’t have a lethal bite

Less than a month after the return of vampires, the Wolf Man has emerged from the woods.

In Wolf Man, we are introduced to Blake (Christopher Abbott), a loving husband and father who spends his days caring for his young daughter, Ginger (Matilda Firth). When he receives word that his missing father has officially been declared dead, he convinces his wife, Charlotte (Julia Garner) to bring the family to his remote childhood home in order to collect his things. However, as they approach the farmhouse, their family is attacked by a vicious beast. Barricading themselves inside the home for safety, they await the morning out of fear for their lives. But soon Blake begins to fall ill, forcing Charlotte and Ginger to decide whether the greater danger lies within the woods or within the walls of their sanctuary.

With Wolf Man, writer/director Leigh Whannell makes his long-awaited return to Universal’s crypt of classic monsters. After the massive success of The Invisible Man, Whannell had shown his skill in making the past beasties relevant again, making his take on the Wolf Man highly anticipated for many. 

Even so, Wolf Man doesn’t quite have the same teeth as its predecessor. Whereas The Invisible Man operated as a modern metaphor for sexual assault, his reintroduction to the Wolf Man plays out in a far more straightforward manner. Although the film does have something to say, one can’t help but compare it to the complex metaphor of the previous effort.

Now, this is not to say that Wolf Man isn’t entertaining. In fact, the film can absolutely growl when it needs to. 

With a tone similar to A Quiet Place, Wolf Man is a tightly-executed and entertaining experience that’s more intent on bringing the fun than true fright. Despite its modest budget, Whannell’s incredible skill behind a camera ensures that it works extremely well as a horror-thriller. With the slightest rotation of the camera or change in hue, the film manages to change our perspective on events, immersing us in the moment. (The gradual blur into ‘wolf vision’ is the best example of this.) 

Admittedly, the film does feel as though it wants to speak, even if it’s struggling to find its voice. This is best accomplished through the character of Blake, a man who finds himself domesticated. Having been raised by his father in the woods of Oregon, Blake has never truly been comfortable amongst the brutal world of nature. Now, as a stay-at-home father, Blake absolutely adores his daughter and has developed a strong bond with her. Yet, despite his support of his hard-working wife and joy of his family, we do sense a slight tension within him.  (“I was a writer… now, I’m a stay-at-home father,” he says behind gritted teeth in one telling moment.)

It’s also worth noting that Abbott also seems to be fully enjoying himself in the role of Blake. As the lovable father, Blake carries himself with a twinkle in his eye and joy in his heart. But, at the same time, there are moments when his smile can give way to a steely glare, especially as he fights to save his family.

Nevertheless, after Blake begins to feel ill, he becomes torn between worlds. Without giving away spoilers, we see that he wants to be a good man but seems to struggle with his most primal instincts. As such, Wolf Mantreats toxic masculinity as a disease that every man must fight from within themselves. It is an infection, gradually making its way through every corner of his body.

In these moments, Whannell highlights the devil inside but feels like he doesn’t quite sink his teeth into the metaphor. Instead of a deep dive into the complexities of modern masculinity, the film leans more into creature-feature. While that often makes the film highly entertaining, one can’t help but feel like it ultimately remains empty. For this reason, Wolf Man’s bite never fully leaves a lasting mark. But, for those who are hungry like a wolf to scare up some fun in the cold of January, Wolf Man might be worth a howl.

Wolf Man is available in theatres on Friday, January 17^th, 2025.