‘Wolf Man’ Howls with Mixed Reviews as First Reactions Drop: A Terrifying Yet Tragic Reimagining

‘Wolf Man’ is a new horror movie directed by Leigh Whannell, who co-wrote the script with Corbett Tuck. It’s a reboot of the classic 1941 film ‘The Wolf Man’ and stars Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, and Sam Jaeger.

The movie was first announced in 2014 as part of Universal’s ‘Dark Universe,’ a planned shared universe of classic monster films. However, after ‘The Mummy’ (2017) didn’t do well, Universal decided to focus on standalone films. Whannell’s success with ‘The Invisible Man’ (2020) reignited interest in monster films, and Universal accepted a pitch from Ryan Gosling for a new ‘Wolf Man’ film.

Gosling was originally going to star, but he dropped out in 2023. Whannell took over as director and the movie got a new cast.

The story follows Blake, a family man who moves to Oregon with his wife and daughter after inheriting his childhood home. The family is attacked by a werewolf one night, and Blake starts to transform into one himself, threatening his family’s safety. The film will be released on January 17, 2025, but first reviews are in for the movie and so far, it’s been mixed.

The movie debuted on Rotten Tomatoes with a 58% approval rate based on 45 reviews. The movie has been criticized for lacking genuine scares and suspense, with many feeling it doesn’t deliver on its werewolf transformation and creature effects. The film’s slow pacing and introspective moments are seen as confusing, and its tone shifts from somber to cheesy.

While some praised the performances and emotional depth, overall, the movie struggles to stand out in a long history of werewolf films.

“Wolf Man” leans too heavily on its central metaphor and original lycanthropic concepts, failing to craft a truly scary film.

Cody Dericks – Next Big Picture

This version of Wolf Man is really well done and is intense and legitimately scary. Leigh Whannell has gotten better and better as a director.

Eric Goldman – Eric Goldman (YouTube)

We have see numerous variations on all this over the years… The list goes on and on since the 1930’s and it is to Whannell’s credit that it still works to the degree it does.

Pete Hammond – Deadline Hollywood Daily

Whatever its strengths or weaknesses, every werewolf movie is ultimately judged by how well it handles the transformation and creature effects, and in that department, Wolf Man is a dud.

Peter Debruge – Variety

The filmmaker dismantles the lore and delivers a bold new take on the werewolf, smartly refusing to explain its rules, but it’s so wrapped up in its underserved characters and subtext that it forgets to be scary.

Meagan Navarro – Bloody Disgusting

Whannell is able to deliver on the promise of some unadulterated monster movie horror fun. Wolf Man artfully uses every filmmaking facet available to it, its shot framing, sound, and lighting, to rachet up our fear.

Rotem Rusak – Nerdist

There’s an excellent opening prologue sequence and a very smart final shot – but everything between is silly, misjudged and dull with dud storytelling, middling prosthetics and wide-eyed “I’m scared” reaction acting.

Peter Bradshaw – Guardian

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