We’ve seen Leigh Whannell deliver with a lot of different horror franchises. As a writer, he delivered Saw and Insidious, later serving as a writer and director for the 2020 film Invisible Man. Now, he’s back with another classic monster tale in Wolf Man. But is it another hit?
The film picks up in 1995 in a remote area of Oregon. Grady (Sam Jaeger) is taking his young son out hunting when they come across something. They survive the encounter, but it leaves Grady shaken. He’s convinced there is danger out in the woods.
Flash-forward 30 years later, and Blake (Christopher Abbott) is grown with a daughter (Matilda Firth) of his own. He gets a letter that his father, Grady, has been declared dead after he went missing in the woods years earlier. Father and son were estranged, but now Blake has the property in Oregon. He convinces his wife, Charlotte (Julia Garner), to accompany him and their daughter as they see where he grew up.
The remote area looks beautiful, but on arrival something crosses the road leading to an accident. Blake is injured as they make their way to his father’s house. But whatever is out there is stalking them. Worse yet, something is happening to Blake.
I have enjoyed the craft that Whannell has brought to his films. Invisible Man was a stirring take on a classic property that was one of my most enjoyable horror films the year it was released. That left me excited for this take on Wolf Man.
The set up here works. I like the cinematography and the way the tension builds. All of it adds to the mood of the film and the overall set up. The film takes place over a tight period of time—mostly one night—which gives it a sense of mood and pace. I also enjoyed the visuals here, with the creation of the monsters and the process of transformation for Blake looking visually stunning at times.
The performances here are solid. Abbott is quietly under-stated in the lead role, while Garner has some strong moments in the Second and Third act of the film. It’s not overly long, so it doesn’t wear out its welcome, either. But unfortunately, the story doesn’t always work.
For you to really buy into the final act, you need to have some investment in these characters and this world. We get a few scenes between Blake and his daughter, and Blake and Charlotte that are meant to build that connection. It’s fine, but not sufficient to really bring out the emotions needed when we reach the climax.
Additionally, though the film is only about 100 minutes, sometimes it feels like it’s moving too slowly to get to where we know it’s going. There are a couple good set pieces, and some nice visuals along the way, but it ends up being just OK.
Wolf Man has potential and it’s a serviceable horror film. But it doesn’t add much new to the genre and it doesn’t have anything that makes it stand out or memorable. It’s fine, but hardly must-see viewing.
Wolf Man opens nationwide Friday, January 17.