I didn’t expect much from Wolf Man, but it turned out to be a pleasant surprise. What begins as another reinterpretation of a Universal classic ends up revealing itself as a film with its own soul, blending horror with an intimate story of love and loss. Leigh Whannell avoids cheap scares, opting instead for atmosphere, where the monster coexists with a deeply emotional family backdrop.
Julia Garner shines with an intense and vulnerable performance, confirming herself as one of the most compelling actresses of her generation. Her chemistry with Christopher Abbott strengthens the most dramatic moments, where horror intertwines with the pain of a father fighting to protect his family. That human layer is what lifts the movie above others in the genre.
Visually, Whannell crafts tension through tight framing and a shadowy cinematography that traps the viewer in an oppressive atmosphere. Some may wish for more gore or explicit violence, but the film leans into another kind of unease: broken bonds, inherited trauma, and sacrifice.
It may not revolutionize the genre or deliver constant shocks, but its strangeness and emotional weight make it stand out. Beyond the werewolf, what remains is a story about unconditional love and the impossibility of escaping what one carries inside.
I felt like the plot was engineered around the decision to keep the number of locations and the cast small. Since there wasn't an especially engaging plot or really compelling characters, it made the whole affair kind of dull.
There were decent looking effects. A couple of jump scares and gross out moments. It's hardly the worst movie I've ever seen, but didn't feel all that special, either.
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