B Movies Blog

Hello, Movie Mavens! Welcome back to the B Movies Blog. Today, we’re popping Leigh Whannel’s Wolf Man into the ol’ VCR.

Okay, so, I’m not going to bury the lede here: 

I give Wolf Man a 5.5/10. 

I was really, really looking forward to this one, so much so that I went to see it on Friday night, which y’all know I usually don’t do. 

And, like other horror fans I’ve spoken with and/or read reviews from, I was disappointed. 

But, let’s start with the positive. 

As someone with daddy issues, I get the vision here. 

I also really like the idea of lycanthropy being a permanent transformation, not something that only happens with the full moon; exploring the concept of losing your humanity is fascinating to me. 

There were also a couple of scenes that I LOVED, including one that was a particular arm-, I mean, nail biter. 

I even enjoyed the Saw Easter Egg during the barn scene. 

HOWEVER, overall, the execution just wasn’t there, save for some of the practical effects. 

I could handle Christopher Abbott’s Brundlefly-lookin’ ass.

But, I couldn’t handle the Twilight-esque gradient scenes that represent his new vantage point (and night vision?). 

I couldn’t handle some of the writing choices because the stronger lines made the weaker ones stick out like a sore thumb (and believe me, I’m speaking from experience here).  

I couldn’t handle the *slightly* problematic message of Blake (Christopher Abbott) becoming his abusive father(?). I understand the cycle of abuse, but again, the execution wasn’t quite there. Although, as someone who grew up with an abusive father, I understand what he was trying to do. 

I also think I’ve pinpointed exactly why. 

Leigh Whannell is not only a horror heavy-hitter, but he successfully tackled subject matter like this in The Invisible Man. 

Additionally, and I’m not saying it’s right, but when you’ve garnered a reputation as a horror powerhouse, a stumble like this won’t be as easily forgiven and/or ignored by your audience. 

I do think there are good things in here, and I’ve mentioned a few, but I also want to point out another strength of this film: Julia Garner. 

My GOD. 

Put this woman in more horror movies, stat. 

Without Julia Garner, I honestly don’t know if I would’ve rated this movie as high as I did. 

Sure, Christopher Abbott did the best with what he had, but Julia Garner is the real standout IMO. 

So…yeah. 

Y’all know that I love going to the movies, and I’m fortunate to go as much as I do, so I don’t regret going to the movies, but I can’t recommend seeing Wolf Man. 

I’d stick to the original instead. 

P.S. Lee Cronin, people are really gonna put your interpretation of The Mummy under a microscope after you came out swinging with Evil Dead Rise, so I would DEFINITELY use this as a learning experience.