Dracula. The Frankenstein monster. The Invisible Man. The Mummy. And, of course, the Wolfman. These classic monsters have evolved and adapted over decades, transcending singular interpretations while consistently terrifying audiences across generations. We've recently seen a new Dracula in Robert Eggers' Nosferatu, Guillermo del Toro is crafting a fresh Frankenstein, and now writer-director Leigh Whannell offers his vision of the Wolfman.
But how does a filmmaker like Whannell make modern audiences connect with yet another werewolf movie, specifically one centered on the Wolfman? How do any filmmakers, as Whannell puts it, make these classic monsters scary and relevant in 2025?
Prepare your torches, wolfsbane, and stakes—and your capacity for metaphorical interpretation—because we talked to Whannell about the influence of classic monster movies on his work, his approach to reviving beloved creatures like the Wolfman, and why you should care.
