Wolf Man Review: New Take Almost Works, But Falls Flat

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Summary

  • Whannell’s take on Wolf Man tried to reimagine the creature with a new story but didn’t hit the mark.
  • The film’s attempts to blend family drama with monster elements fell flat, lacking subtlety and impact.
  • While the movie showcased a unique take on the Wolf Man lore, it struggled with portraying the family dynamics effectively.

In looking back on the era of Hollywood films and selecting which reboots and remakes are worth keeping, Leigh Whannell’s The Invisible Man should be included in that group. Following Universal’s unsuccessful cinematic universe, Whannell demonstrated that there is still potential for those classic monsters despite numerous movies focusing on them. As a result, it seemed plausible that he could achieve the same success with The Wolf Man. However, his attempt to reimagine the creature with a fresh narrative didn’t quite meet expectations.

Similar to his previous monster film, Whannell’s latest adapts the classic Wolf Man tale to modern times, but with a significant twist in the storyline. However, unlike his Invisible Man production, this movie’s approach lacks the same level of innovation, tension, or enjoyment. By altering the very foundation of the werewolf mythos, one might expect a more engaging, suspenseful, and entertaining film. Regrettably, it seems to follow familiar patterns instead.

Wolf Man’s Setup Is Too Ham Handed To Be Good

The movie titled “Wolf Man” is set in the 1990s Oregon, introducing us to a father named Grady and his son, young Blake, who reside on a farm enclosed by forests. Grady, a survivalist with a penchant for fear, appears to adore his son deeply yet seems anxious about almost everything else. He expresses this affection through frequent scoldings of Blake. In contrast, Blake, growing up, fears nothing more than his father’s angry outbursts. This dynamic becomes crucial and overtly dramatic in the plot when Blake matures and has a child of his own.

In one day, during a hunting expedition in nearby woods, young Blake notices something unusual through his scope. He and Grady are chased momentarily but hide in a deer blind and live when the mysterious creature attempts to open the locked door without forcing it. Later, at home, Blake overhears Grady discussing with local farmers via CB radio that he suspects the creature was an infected hitchhiker carrying a virus named “The Face of the Wolf.” Grady further expresses his intention to locate this hitchhiker if necessary, bringing the tale of Blake’s childhood to a close.

Wolf Man
Writer
  • Leigh Whannell
  • Corbett Tuck
Director Leigh Whannel
Starring
  • Christopher Abbott
  • Julia Garner
  • Sam Jaeger

In today’s time, adult Blake (Christopher Abbott) and his daughter Ginger are on their way home after a delightful day out at a bustling city museum. They were enjoying themselves immensely until an instance occurred where Ginger did something that Blake perceived as risky, and she didn’t respond promptly when he instructed her to stop. In a moment of frustration reminiscent of his own father, Blake loses his temper and shouts at her. Following this outburst, he feels regretful and sincerely apologizes, confessing that he doesn’t wish to emulate the behavior of his father.

In this movie, Leigh Whannell repeatedly emphasizes family dynamics in a way that feels heavy-handed and obvious, suggesting he doesn’t fully trust the audience to comprehend the relationships. For instance, instead of letting their unhappiness be implied, he has a direct conversation about it after a scene where their dissatisfaction was already clear. Fortunately, for most of the film, Whannell shows restraint, but when he slips back into this overt approach, it weakens the overall impact of the movie.

Wolf Man Is A Good Monster Movie And A Bad Family Drama

Following our rather uncomfortable chat with Charlotte, who I find either naturally reserved or exceptionally skilled at portraying a wooden character, as seen in “Wolf Man”, we decide to seek solace by embarking on a journey to Oregon. With the official announcement of Blake’s father’s disappearance after an unspecified duration, it falls upon him to wrap up Grady’s cabin. As I pack my bags for this new chapter, I can’t help but feel a mix of emotions about the adventures that lie ahead and the memories we will create in this beautiful, unfamiliar land.

As they journey to Oregon, the story truly unfolds and the movie transitions into a style reminiscent of Monster Movies. In the forest, Blake encounters a werewolf and is bitten, triggering a gradual transformation. The filmmaker skillfully depicts this change through clever visual and audio design. There’s an intriguing scene where Ginger and Charlotte behave strangely, leaving viewers puzzled about their odd behavior. Once the mystery is unveiled, it provides a satisfying resolution. Add to that the ongoing transformation depicted throughout the movie, and it offers a fresh perspective on the classic Wolf Man legend.

In a more expressive rephrasing: The character Wolf Man aims to interweave the emotional turmoil of the family’s past with Blake as a deeply sorrowful figure, and at times this approach is successful. When Blake, Charlotte, and Ginger realize their family is falling apart, it brings a sense of sadness. It is genuinely heartbreaking when Ginger expresses her longing for “daddy,” as the viewers are well aware that he will never return.

It’s truly sad when Ginger expresses her longing for “daddy,” as the viewers are aware that he won’t return.

Though Garner struggles to convincingly portray a loving wife, her performance remains the core of this film. If it were narrated solely from her perspective, as her character’s husband and child’s father transitions into something inhuman, there would be issues. The issue lies in that while Grady is meant to transform into a reflection of his own father’s cruelty, the problem is that he isn’t depicted as a truly abusive or neglectful father. He might be strict and prone to temper, but he clearly loves his son, fears for him, and despite their isolation, he doesn’t appear to be a bad father overall.

The suggestion that Blake’s transformation into his father could have been more convincingly portrayed if Grady was depicted as potentially harmful towards Blake, but this aspect wasn’t explored. Consequently, Blake appears to be turning into a more abusive father than the one he knew, at the very least making the character more terrifying. As a result, Wolf Man is a fairly good monster movie, yet it fails to effectively convey the family-related message it intended.

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2025-01-19 00:04