Review: Wolf Man (2025)

Our J.P. gives his take on “Wolf Man,” directed by “The Invisible Man’s” Leigh Whannell and starring Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner.

Wolf Man
Universal Pictures

• Directed by Leigh Whannell
• Written by Leigh Whannell, Corbett Tuck
• Produced by Jason Blum
• Starring Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, Sam Jaeger

Studio Synopsis:

What if someone you loved became something else?

From Blumhouse and visionary writer-director Leigh Whannell, the creators of the chilling modern monster tale “The Invisible Man,” comes a terrifying new lupine nightmare: “Wolf Man.”

Golden Globe nominee Christopher Abbott (“Poor Things,” “It Comes at Night”) stars as Blake, a San Francisco husband and father, who inherits his remote childhood home in rural Oregon after his own father vanishes and is presumed dead. With his marriage to his high-powered wife, Charlotte (Emmy winner Julia Garner; “Ozark,” “Inventing Anna”), fraying, Blake persuades Charlotte to take a break from the city and visit the property with their young daughter, Ginger (Matlida Firth; “Hullraisers,” “Coma”).

But as the family approaches the farmhouse in the dead of night, they’re attacked by an unseen animal and, in a desperate escape, barricade themselves inside the home as the creature prowls the perimeter. As the night stretches on, however, Blake begins to behave strangely, transforming into something unrecognizable, and Charlotte will be forced to decide whether the terror within their house is more lethal than the danger without.

The film co-stars Sam Jaeger (“The Handmaid’s Tale”), Ben Prendergast (“The Sojourn” Audio Drama) and Benedict Hardie (“The Invisible Man”), with newcomer Zac Chandler, Beatriz Romilly (“Shortland Street”) and Milo Cawthorne (“Shortland Street”).

J.P.’s Take:

The werewolf lore dates back to 2100 B.C., which, today, is as prolific as the vampire mythology. Cinematically, however, “The Wolf Man” of 1941, starring Lon Chaney Jr., was the first of its kind to hit the big screen in a major way. 2010 saw “The Wolf Man” receive its first clone, which starred Benicio Del Toro. For 2025, Blumhouse eliminated the total copycat remake formula and gave the Universal Studios title a fresh take. Here, we’re privy to the retooling, which happens to be singularly titled, “Wolf Man.”

If there is one thing I must credit Blumhouse for it’s their knack for creating some of the most atmospheric events, especially in horror films. Writer/director Leigh Whannell (“Insidious: Chapter 3,” “Upgrade,” “The Invisible Man”) and his wife, actress / writer Corbett Tuck (“Insidious,” “Trapped”), have concocted something nostalgic and sleek with all its creepy and heartfelt sentiments intact. “Wolf Man” reminds me of the werewolf craze of the 80s/90s with an understated pop culture sheen. If you grew up watching movies like “The Howling,” “American Werewolf in London,” “Bad Moon,” or “Wolfen,” you’ll find that “Wolf Man” fits right into the pack. Yet, it’s not hokey or dumb. I appreciate that it tells a family story in which a father’s love and daughter’s trust will be tested.

The plot is straightforward and tight, featuring a small cast as we delve into the regimented childhood of Blake Lovell (young Blake played by Zac Chandler and adult Blake played by Christopher Abbott). He and his father, Grady Lovell (Sam Jaeger), live in the secluded woods of Oregon. His father being a hunter takes Blake into the woods one morning to hunt for dear (he claims), however, it becomes a lifelong lesson in survival for young Blake. His father “bays” at him to pay close attention to their surroundings, as their lives depend on their keen senses. What unfolds next sets the stage for a poignant and full-circle journey later on.

While “Wolf Man” is labeled as a horror film, it doesn’t scare you in the traditional sense. Instead, it leans more towards being a thriller / mystery sprinkled with horror elements to explain the more intense and bloody moments. When Blake undergoes his transformation, it’s a slow and deliberate process rather than a quick shock. The transformation into a werewolf is a painful journey for Blake, as he gradually loses his identity. The filmmakers enhance this experience by giving us a first-person perspective, allowing us to see his decline firsthand.

At first, Blake starts losing his teeth, and his skin starts to itch, almost like it’s turning into fur. One of the most interesting aspects is how his senses are heightened; there’s a scene where his hearing becomes incredibly sharp. He hears strange noises around the house, like loud knocks and bumps, making us wonder if something is lurking outside. But when Blake investigates, it turns out to be nothing more than a tarantula scuttling along the wall. It’s a nicely timed twist that keeps the tension alive. This moment adds a layer of irony to the film, as it plays with our expectations and highlights the contrast between the mundane and the monstrous, keeping viewers engaged without relying solely on traditional horror tropes.

What’s intriguing about this film is the sound crew’s adept use of sound. It immerses us in an ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) experience, where the crunch of leaves and twigs in the forest feels incredibly vivid, almost tangible, and the knocks and bumps echo all around us. The werewolves’ howls and snarls are especially striking with a raw, guttural quality that sends chills down your spine.

The heartbreaking part about this film as a whole is when Blake’s transformation is finally complete: he loses the ability to shield his wife and daughter from the very threats he promised to defend them against. This loss of his protective nature adds a deep layer of drama that amplifies the emotional impact of the story.

For a flick that boasts a 1 hour, 43 minute run time, it felt like it flew by in a flash. It’s mainly because it was efficient in its storytelling and gave us excellent thrills per minute. Yet, that didn’t diminish the effectiveness for me as I was hoping for some end-scene credits and leading to something more. After all, there were multiple sequels and mash-ups of the original “Wolf Man” film series.

Overall, 2025’s “Wolf Man” is a throwback film styles that will sit with me for quite some time as it was simply thrilling and eerie fun.

Official Site: Wolf Man