Initial responses to the movie “Wolf Man” are out and they’re not as fierce or terrifying as one might hope for a January horror film. Even though Leigh Whannell has proven himself to be an accomplished director with his blockbuster hit, “The Invisible Man” in 2020, it seems that “Wolf Man” is making more of a soft sound than a bloodcurdling howl. As of January 15th, the movie currently holds a moderate critic score of 59% on Rotten Tomatoes based on 68 reviews, leaving many critics feeling underwhelmed. Although this score is still decent for any new release in January, it’s a significant drop from the “fresh” 91% critic rating that Whannell received for “The Invisible Man”.
It’s clear that Whannell has a strong history of creating successful horror movies, not just writing or directing them, but also acting in them. Therefore, it was reasonable to expect that he would be given a lot of creative freedom when telling his chilling tales. However, the 2024 release of “Wolf Man” turned out to be quite surprising as it was moved from its initial October 2024 slot to January, which might indicate growing apprehension from Blumhouse and Universal Pictures about their remake of the horror classic. Early critic reviews seem to confirm these concerns.
Trying to Make a Good Impression
Beyond directing “The Wolf Man,” Whannell also collaborated on the script with his writing partner and spouse, Corbett Tuck. The movie follows Blake (Christopher Abbott), a man who, upon his father’s disappearance and presumed death, inherits a secluded childhood home in rural Oregon. Eager for a break from city life, Blake convinces his wife Charlotte (Julia Garner) to visit the property with their daughter Ginger (Matlida Firth). However, their peaceful trip takes a horrifying turn when they’re attacked by an unknown creature during their nighttime arrival at the farmhouse. To protect themselves and survive, they barricade themselves inside the home as the beast tries to gain entry. As the chilling events of the night unfold, Blake starts experiencing strange bodily transformations, compelling Charlotte to take decisive action.
Whannell and Tuck’s screenplay offers a contemporary twist on the 1941 monster film “The Wolf Man.” Although both films share similar titles and are set in remote locations, their similarities essentially end there. Critics often praise Whannell for crafting an eerie and suspenseful monster narrative, but they claim that the movie struggles to establish its unique identity and often blends with other similar productions. Despite the acclaimed performances of Abbott and Garner, their characters seem incomplete, leaving viewers desiring a deeper exploration. In other words, although Wolf Man offers an intriguing premise, it never fully develops into the captivating, suspense-filled tale that its potential suggests. To create a truly memorable movie is challenging; to make one that is quickly forgotten is perhaps even more difficult.
Failing to Live Up to the Hype
Ever since whispers about the movie known as “Wolf Man” emerged in 2014, its path to production has been a tortuous one, filled with twists and turns. In 2016, there were rumors that Dwayne Johnson might take on the lead role. However, when these stories didn’t pan out, the film drifted aimlessly through development limbo. Fortunately, in 2021, the director of “The Place Beyond The Pines”, Derek Cianfrance, was tapped to direct the project. To top it off, Ryan Gosling was also signed up to star in the movie! Could things get any better?
When Derek Cianfrance and Ryan Gosling left the project in 2023, it seemed like “Wolf Man” would merely become an urban myth. However, when James Wan took charge in December 2023, it almost felt too perfect to be real. Fresh from his successful movie, “The Invisible Man,” which grossed more than $140 million worldwide on a budget of only $7 million, Wan seemed to have all the luck on his side. Yet, only time will tell if “Wolf Man” can bounce back from its wave of negative critic reviews. After all, everyone loves an underdog story!
You can watch Wolf Man and judge for yourself when it hits theaters on Friday, January 17th.
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2025-01-16 02:10