Dracula. The Frankenstein Monster. The Invisible Man. The Mummy. And, of course, the Wolf Man. These classic monsters have evolved and adapted over decades, transcending singular interpretations while consistently terrifying audiences across generations. Recent examples include Robert Eggers' Nosferatu and Guillermo del Toro's upcoming Frankenstein film. Now, writer-director Leigh Whannell offers his own vision of the Wolf Man.
But how does a filmmaker revitalize the werewolf mythos, specifically the iconic Wolf Man, for modern audiences? How do any filmmakers, as Whannell notes, make these classic monsters both frightening and relevant today?
Prepare your torches, wolfsbane, and stakes—and your capacity for metaphorical interpretation—because we spoke with Whannell about the influence of classic monster movies on his work, his approach to resurrecting the Wolf Man in 2025, and why you should care.
