Critical assessments of Universal’s latest horror film titled “Wolf Man” have been unfavorable, as demonstrated by the variable weekend box office earnings that place it near the bottom of the list.
In 2025, Universal Studios is bringing back the classic monster tale, “The Wolf Man,” remade by Blumhouse Productions. This is their latest endeavor to revitalize their Monster Universe. Director Leigh Whannell, who recently helmed “The Invisible Man,” is returning to the project. Known for his prowess in horror filmmaking, Whannell has demonstrated this talent through his work on the “Saw” series, “Insidious” movies, and other films like “Upgrade” and “The Bye Bye Man.
However, this latest film has joined his short but growing list of failures.
In the realm of cinema critique, allow me to express my thoughts on the 2025 release, “Wolf Man”. This cinematic production has been given an official ‘rotten’ status by both the discerning critics and the discerning movie-going public on Rotten Tomatoes. The industry experts have collectively awarded it a rating of 59%, while the paying audience has bestowed upon it a slightly lower score of 53%. In simpler terms, “Wolf Man” seems to have left many viewers and critics with a sense of disappointment.
The Numbers Don’t Lie, But Industry Shills Do
The movie earned approximately $12 million during its initial weekend at the box office, but predictions suggest that it might earn between $17 million and $20 million within its first four days, as reported by Deadline.
Initially, the film earned just $1.4 million during its pre-release screenings. This is significantly lower compared to director Leigh Whannell’s The Invisible Man, which garnered $1.65 million in previews and went on to make a massive $28.2 million on its opening day.
The film dubbed “Wolf Man” reportedly had a budget of $25 million, as per Variety. Yet, given its poor ratings and disappointing ticket sales, it may struggle to recoup its costs. In fact, Universal seems braced for a failure, much like their recent attempt to reboot “The Mummy”.
There seems to be a significant gap between the enthusiastic responses to “Wolf Man” on social media by industry experts and the negative feedback it’s getting on Rotten Tomatoes. Initially, the film was lauded as heartwarming, frightening, and even some of the best horror in recent times by its early viewers.
#Experience chilling fear as you watch WolfMan unfold! I found myself with my feet elevated throughout the film, petrified of the unknown lurking beneath. A heart-pounding suspense that gripped me from the opening scene to the very end. Christopher Abbott shines brilliantly in this role and I can’t help but admire him!
— Rachel Leishman (@RachelLeishman) January 7, 2025
Rachel Leishman from The Mary Sue also expressed, “It was an edge-of-your-seat thriller from beginning to end. Christopher Abbott shines in this role and I adore him!
Contrary to what some may believe, the issue isn’t that the audience dislikes remakes of old horror movies; instead, it appears that this viewpoint is misguided. For instance, the latest adaptation of the classic Nosferatu, despite being a remake, has proven itself to be financially successful. To date, it has grossed over $135 million globally, having been made on a budget of just $50 million.
According to Collider, it became the third-most successful horror film of 2024, following Alien: Romulus and A Quiet Place: Day One. The enduring success of this century-old vampire franchise demonstrates that remakes and reboots can indeed be excellent, when handled with care by passionate creators.
The History of The Wolf Man
In 1941, the movie titled “The Wolf Man” by Universal Studios, a renowned production known for its monster movies, pioneered the genre of werewolf films.
Similar to Universal’s other films like Dracula and Frankenstein, they had pre-existing stories to draw from. On the other hand, The Wolf Man was originally a concept without established werewolf mythology. Consequently, more creative freedom was employed when developing the folklore surrounding the werewolf character.
What stood out most were the aspects of shape-shifting under a full moon and susceptibility to silver bullets. Interestingly, these unique traits, which have become staples in werewolf lore, were first conceived by the film’s screenwriter, Curt Siodmak. Their debut on screen was so influential that they are now almost universally accepted in every werewolf narrative!
Universal Should Take Heed
The apparent failure of the reboot seems to pose a question for Universal Studios about the future of their classic monster characters. It appears that Universal aims to resurrect these iconic monsters, possibly within a cinematic universe akin to what was popular in the 1950s. However, the idea of shared universes between films has become less appealing due to over-saturation in modern cinema. Yet, there is still potential for success with the upcoming Dark Universe attraction set to open at Universal Studios Orlando within Epic Universe.
Numerous aficionados of horror are eagerly anticipating a dedicated theme park featuring their favorite fearsome characters. Instead of rehashing old films, it would be prudent for Universal to concentrate more on crafting compelling stories and attractions for the park.
Raven Redgrave, also known as Writing Raven, collaborates with her spouse MasterOfTheTDS on the Gothic Therapy YouTube channel. This platform offers perspectives on popular culture, entertainment, and gaming, delivering insightful analysis, biting critiques, and a touch of dark wit.
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2025-01-21 14:55