Wolf Man and Hollywood's Quest to Make Monsters Relevant Again

Dracula. The Frankenstein Monster. The Invisible Man. The Mummy. And, of course, the Wolf Man.

These iconic monsters have evolved and adapted over decades, transcending singular interpretations while consistently terrifying audiences across generations. Recent examples include Robert Eggers's Nosferatu and Guillermo del Toro's upcoming Frankenstein film. Now, writer-director Leigh Whannell adds his vision to the pantheon with a new take on the Wolf Man.

But how does a filmmaker make a modern audience connect with yet another werewolf movie, specifically one centered on the Wolf Man? How do any filmmakers, as Whannell notes, make these classic monsters frightening and resonant today?

Gather your torches, wolfsbane, and stakes—and your capacity for metaphorical interpretation—because we interviewed Whannell about the impact of classic monster movies on his work, his approach to reviving the Wolf Man for 2025, and why you should care.