The horror film Wolf Man, which marks the next step in Universal's ambitious reboot of its Classic Monsters series, draws intriguing inspirations from unexpected sources. Leigh Whannell, the film's writer and director, highlighted influences from Denis Villeneuve’s critically acclaimed films, Sicario and Prisoners, as foundational elements shaping the movie's narrative and visual style.
Whannell expressed his admiration for various aspects of gothic horror during an interview with SFX magazine. He said, "I’m a big fan of gothic horror movies. I love what Tim Burton did with Sleepy Hollow, and I love what Guillermo del Toro does." He identified the beauty inherent to gothic elements, stating, "There's such beauty to those gothic elements, like fog and cemeteries on a hill backlit by the Moon." This appreciation for the aesthetic serves as a backdrop as Whannell crafts the film's atmosphere.
He elaborated on his approach, asserting, "When it’s time for me to make a monster, my mind immediately wants to place it in the real world and take a very grounded approach: We’re not dealing with a fairy tale here, we’re not dealing with a folk tale, we’re dealing with something that's really possible." This standpoint reflects Whannell’s intent to create relatable horror, grounding fantastical elements within everyday scenarios.
Wolf Man stars Christopher Abbott, known for his work on Poor Things, who plays Blake, a writer living in San Francisco. The plot follows Blake as he returns to his childhood home after his father has been declared missing and presumed dead. Determined to save his fraying marriage with ambitious journalist Charlotte, played by Julia Garner of Ozark, Blake decides to take his family for the summer to rural Oregon, hoping to reconnect and rejuvenate their relationships.
Things take a dark turn when the family is attacked by a mysterious beast lurking within the woods. Following the terrifying encounter, Blake sustains vicious claw wounds, forcing the family to retreat to the farmhouse. But as the night deepens and the creature continues its pursuit, they swiftly realize their ordeal is far from over.
Whannell draws parallels with his previous work, particularly the acclaimed adaptation of The Invisible Man, where he credits cinematographer Stefan Duscio for their creative vision. He remarked, "For both movies, Stefan and I were heavily influenced by Roger Deakins's work with Denis Villeneuve, like Sicario and Prisoners."
He admires how Deakins captures beauty even within mundane settings, noting, "A lot of those movies take place in nondescript rooms, like a beige interview room in a police station, but somehow Roger Deakins can make it beautiful—it's just his placement, his lighting, his framing. So we drew on [Deakins’s style] a lot." Whannell believes this approach not only enhances visual storytelling but also helps convince the audience of the reality of the horror being presented.
The film has generated significant interest as it prepares for its release on January 17. Its promotional strategy is bolstered by the attention-grabbing cover of the SFX magazine's latest issue, showcasing the Star Trek spin-off movie Section 31. Fans are eager for the blend of gothic horror with real-world stakes, as presented by Whannell’s vision.
The anticipation surrounding Wolf Man reflects the broader resurgence of interest in the horror genre, particularly within the Classic Monsters franchise. With Whannell at the helm, audiences are promised a cinematic experience intertwining classical horror elements with modern film-making sensibilities.
While modern horror often flirts with supernatural themes, Whannell aims to confront more earthly fears, making Wolf Man resonate with both genre aficionados and casual viewers alike.