“Wolf Man,” a fantasy horror reboot of the 2010 film “The Wolfman,” released in theaters January 17, 2025. Directed by Leigh Whannell, “Wolf Man” explores themes of trauma, loss and identity through its reimagining of the titular werewolf. While it may not be the strongest recent film, its effective use of jumpscares and suspense make it worth watching.
The movie begins in remote Oregon, where a young Blake Lovell (played by Zac Chandler) and his father (played by Sam Jaeger) encounter a mysterious wolf-like creature while hunting. Years later, Blake, now living in the city with his wife and daughter, returns to Oregon after his father’s death to settle the estate. Soon after arriving, his family is terrorized by the creature and takes refuge in a house, desperately looking for a way to come out alive.
With its relentless pacing and eerie atmosphere, “Wolf Man” delivers well-executed jumpscares that keep audiences on edge. The film builds suspense through its shadowy cinematography and visuals, further immersing the viewer.
“The house as well as the forest were creepy in their own way and perfectly set up for jump scares,” Lambert senior Jaden Hicks said.
The remote location of “Wolf Man” further contributes to the sense of isolation and helplessness of the characters. This is particularly felt when the family desperately tries to reach the outside world but to no avail. While the location serves as an uncanny setting, it also showcases the beautiful natural scenery of the mountains, an uncommon feature in horror movies.
Although the film was successful in its effect as a horror movie, many felt that the overall plot of “Wolf Man” was predictable and lacked originality.
“One thing that I felt was a bit predictable was when we find out the werewolf Blake fights is his own dad,” Hicks said. “I guess it was supposed to be surprising or add shock value.”
Many movies and TV shows typically employ the use of the ‘Fallen Ally’ trope, with characters like Anakin Skywalker from “Star Wars” and Loki from “Thor” serving as key examples. Although it can be effective, its frequent use has made it somewhat expected by audiences. In “Wolf Man,” the reveal of Blake’s father as the werewolf is intended to add a twist, but for many, it lacked the element of surprise.
All in all, while “Wolf Man” succeeds in delivering scares for horror enthusiasts, it ultimately fails to stand out in an oversaturated creature horror genre, feeling like a lackluster reboot of its predecessor. For those looking for the sole purpose of being frightened, “Wolf Man” is still worthy of a 10 dollar ticket.
