Wolfman: A Bite of the Familiar in a New Skin
The Wolfman, a classic monster in the pantheon of horror, has seen numerous adaptations and reinterpretations over the years. While the creature’s origins lie in gothic literature and folklore, its cinematic presence in Universal Studios’ classic monster era cemented its iconic status. Now, Blumhouse Productions, known for their modern horror hits like The Invisible Man and The Black Phone, is taking their own crack at the legendary beast with a new Wolfman film set to release on January 17th, 2024.
The first teaser for this new Wolfman release, while promising a fresh take, echoes the themes of isolation, family, and the struggle against encroaching darkness that have long characterized the monster mythos. It introduces us to Blake (played by Christopher Abbott, known for his work in Poor Things and It Comes at Night), a man grappling with a seemingly idyllic life that is on the verge of unraveling. He inherits his remote childhood home in Oregon from his father, whose disappearance adds a layer of mystery to the already unsettling setting.
The teaser begins with a shot of a praying mantis devouring a wasp beetle, setting the stage for a narrative that will likely center around the cycle of life and death, predator and prey. This opening sequence, although seemingly unconventional, functions metaphorically, hinting at the dark forces that lurk within Blake and threaten to consume him. The connection to the earlier Blumhouse hits, The Invisible Man and The Black Phone, is strategically highlighted, promising a similar blend of psychological horror and unsettling atmosphere.
The teaser then introduces us to Blake’s family: his high-powered wife, Charlotte (played by Emmy winner Julia Garner, from Ozark and Inventing Anna), and their young daughter, Ginger. The family’s idyllic world is shattered when they are attacked by a mysterious creature while approaching the inherited farmhouse. This is where the story diverges from traditional Wolfman narratives, positioning the creature as an external threat that triggers an internal transformation in Blake.
While the titular Wolfman himself remains shrouded in shadow throughout the teaser, glimpses of Blake’s physical deterioration are shown, echoing the narrative of The Fly and highlighting the creature’s insidious influence. We see close-ups of Blake’s fingernails losing their human form, his teeth becoming sharp and elongated, signaling a creeping transformation that he struggles to control.
The teaser culminates with a chilling shot of a clawed hand smashing through a car windshield, signifying the escalating threat posed by Blake’s transformation. However, it also serves as a reminder that the danger may not be just the creature itself, but the growing darkness inside Blake, challenging him to choose between family and a horrifying destiny.
This new approach to the Wolfman story is interesting from a thematic perspective. It moves away from the classic tale of a man cursed with lycanthropy, choosing instead to explore the underlying psychological and emotional turmoil of a man who is losing himself in the face of both internal and external threats. The teaser suggests that the film will utilize horror to explore themes of family, loss, and the struggle to maintain one’s identity in the face of overwhelming personal darkness.
The Wolfman has always been a reflection of society’s anxieties. It represents the fear of the unknown, the fear of losing control, and the fear of the savage nature that lurks within us all. This new iteration, by centering its story on a family struggling to stay together while grappling with a potentially monstrous relative, taps into anxieties about the fragility of family bonds in the face of societal pressures.
The casting of Abbott and Garner is particularly intriguing. Abbott’s portrayal of Blake, a man teetering on the edge of sanity, promises to be captivating. Garner, known for her nuanced performances, is well-suited to playing Charlotte, a woman caught in the crosshairs of a horrifying situation, forced to confront the reality of her husband’s transformation and the danger it poses to her family.
Director Leigh Whannell, known for his work on Saw and The Invisible Man, has demonstrated a deep understanding of horror, particularly how to use visual elements and suspense to create a palpable sense of unease. His involvement in this project suggests a strong commitment to creating a nuanced, psychologically driven horror film.
While the teaser is short, it does reveal the film’s potential for exploring complex themes within the framework of a familiar horror story. Combining aspects of classic horror tropes with modern cinematic techniques, this Wolfman promises to be more than just a werewolf movie – it has the potential to be a genuinely disturbing examination of the dark side of human nature. With its timely release just before the Halloween season, Wolfman is sure to generate excitement and controversy, attracting both those eager for a classic horror experience and those seeking a more psychologically driven exploration of the monster within.
