Howling at the Edge: A Review of Wolf Man (2025)

Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man delivers a raw, emotionally charged take on the Universal Monsters classic. Whannell, known for The Invisible Man (2020), teams up with co-writer Corbett Tuck to craft a stripped-down story that blends family drama with primal horror. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the film opens in 1995, where young Blake (Zac Chandler) experiences a traumatic hunting trip with his father, Grady (Sam Jaeger), as they encounter a shadowy beast that leaves a lasting mark. Years later, Blake (Christopher Abbott) returns to his childhood home with his wife, Charlotte (Julia Garner), and daughter, Ginger (Matilda Firth), hoping to mend his strained marriage. However, an attack by a monstrous creature triggers his terrifying transformation into the Wolf Man.

Wolf Man diverges from traditional werewolf tropes, skipping clichés like silver bullets and full moons in favor of a deeply personal and psychological exploration of Blake’s unraveling humanity. Christopher Abbott delivers a gut-wrenching performance that captures both the physical and emotional toll of his transformation, supported by Whannell’s preference for practical effects reminiscent of 1980s horror classics like The Fly. Julia Garner also shines as Charlotte, evolving from a skeptical partner to a determined protector, while Matilda Firth brings emotional depth to her role as Ginger. As noted by The Hollywood Reporter, the film’s grounded approach to horror, combined with claustrophobic settings and unrelenting tension, immerses viewers in the protagonist’s struggle for survival and identity.

Despite some predictable narrative beats and the occasionally underwhelming “wolf vision” gimmick, Wolf Man successfully delivers an intense, nostalgic monster movie experience. Whannell’s commitment to practical effects over CGI amplifies the terror and offers a refreshing throwback for fans of classic horror. While the film may not revolutionize the genre, its raw performances, tight pacing, and emotional depth make it a worthy addition to Universal’s monster movie legacy.