Leigh Whannell reinvents the wolf man mythos with modern twists
- Leigh Whannell returns to the director's chair for an updated monster tale in a remote Oregon cabin.
- The plot explores familial dynamics, toxic masculinity, and societal expectations while following a family's struggle during a terrifying night.
- Critics have noted a lack of depth and creativity compared to Whannell's earlier success stories.
In an exploration of the updated Universal Monsters franchise, Leigh Whannell directed and co-wrote Wolf Man, which is set in a remote cabin in Oregon. The plot follows a family, consisting of Christopher Abbott's character Blake, his wife Charlotte portrayed by Julia Garner, and their daughter as they deal with the presumed death of Blake's grandfather. The film builds tension over one disastrous night, introducing themes of economic struggles and familial relationships while hinting at a monstrous transformation affecting Blake. Despite being lauded for his previous works like The Invisible Man, Whannell's current film has been criticized for lack of depth, flat characters, and a tendency to adhere closely to horror film tropes. The film fails to fully capitalize on the werewolf mythos, leaving the audience wishing for deeper narrative engagement and character development throughout the suspenseful sequences presented on screen. While the premise evokes strong themes of toxic masculinity and societal expectations, the execution leaves viewers yearning for a more innovative storyline that expands upon the familiar mythos more creatively and engagingly than it currently does.