Wolf Man – Movie Review
First Reaction – Wolf Man is an intense spin on the werewolf concept.
Director: Leigh Whannell
Writer: Leigh Whannell, Corbet Tuck (Screenplay)
Cast
- Julia Garner (The Assistant)
- Christopher Abbott (Possessor)
- Sam Jaeger (The Handmaid’s Tale)
- Matilda Firth (Subservience)
Plot: A family at a remote farmhouse is attacked by an unseen animal, but as the night stretches on, the father begins to transform into something unrecognizable.
Runtime: 1 Hour 43 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Wolf Man starts when Blake (Abbott) learns his father is legally declared dead. He decides to take his family, Charlotte (Garner) and Ginger (Firth) to the farmer, where he can pack up and say his final goodbyes. However, on route, they are involved in a crash and Blake is injured by a mysterious animal.
The three find the farmhouse for shelter, but the transformation starts to take over Blake. It leads to him losing his natural abilities, while another predator waits on the outside, can he save his family before it is too late?
Verdict on Wolf Man
Recap
The movie follows a family who go on a trip for some closure. However, they get attacked by an animal, leading to them needing to fight to survive the night as one of their own starts transforming.
Best Parts
We have seen werewolf movies struggle in the past, this brings a new approach to the older formula. It takes place over one night, which adds plenty of tension to the story. We move away from the slowly escalating horror that returning to a childhood home presents too. The transformation is brilliant, with small moments, showing the damage being done. Along with a shift in perspective, which shows how two sides are seeing the situation. All this is fantastic to watch. The performances are fantastic too, with Christopher Abbott shining through his character’s changes. Finally, we must praise the effects team who made everything look ferocious during the change.
Worst Parts
My big question surrounds the original attacking animal. It feels calmer and not as aggressive as what follows.
Final Thoughts – Wolf Man is a ferocious spin on the werewolf concept.