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THE WOLF MAN (2025)
Label: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Region Code: Region-Free
Rating: R
Duration: 102 Minutes 42 Seconds
Audio: English Dolby Atmos (True HD 7.1) with Optional English Subtitles
Video: Dolby Vision HDR1p 2160p Ultra HD Widescreen (2.39:1)
Director: Leigh Whannell
Cast: Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, Sam Jaeger, Matilda Firth, Ben Prendergast, Benedict Hardie
After the success of The Invisible Man (2020) over at Blumhouse with Leigh Whannell (Insidious: Chapter 3) directing I was actually pretty excited to see what they would do with The Wolf Man, to see what new direction they might take it in, re-invigorating this classic Universal Monster with fresh blood and a new spin. What we got was a new spin for sure, but is this something new and cool, or is this a 'be careful what you wish for' sort of situation?
In it San Francisco based writer Blake (Christopher Abbott, Pretty Thing) moves his wife Charlotte (Julia Garner, Apartment 7A) and daughter Ginger (Matilda Firth, Disenchanted) to his childhood home in rural Oregon, after the death of his estranged father. His father is assumed to have died years earlier after disappearing into the wilderness, but has only now officially been declared dead by the courts. The opening scenes set in the mid-90s establish Blake's relationship with his father as a child, a tough live-off-the-land upbringing by a stern father, who he seems scared of. This also established the rugged terrain of the area, as well as virus in the area that is said to turn people exposed to it feral. Just as they arrives at the house Blake and his family are involved in a vehicular accident and encounter an attack by some sort of animal, forcing the family to flee to the home and barricade themselves inside the house as the creature prowls around the house.
As they attempt to protect themselves from whatever is outside Blake not only has to contend with the physical threat but his unresolved resentment of his father, who he swore to never be like. After sustaining injuries from the creature outside he Blake starts to grow sickly and change physically, putting his family in danger as he not so slowly starts transforming into a werewolf, a victim of the feral virus that probably took his father.
On it's own I thought that this was a quite well-made flick, the rugged locations and moody low-light cinematography looks terrific, and the performances from the main cast are top-notch, particularly Abbott as the protective father and husband who finds himself compromised by the feral virus. As a monster kid though I have some serious beef with the look of the werewolf we are presented with here. The film goes out of it's way to defy expectations with what I would say looks like a man with rabies and mange, and I just loathed it. Perhaps it's unfair to judge the film so harshly when I thought the rest of the film was pretty well put together, even the psychological underpinnings of Blake's resentment and unresolved issues with his father, and not wanting to become the man his father was. But, c'mon, this is a werewolf flick and there are certain expectations, and given how cool the nocturnal scenery and locations were, and how well shot it was I just wanted to see a a hairy werewolf flick with a new edge to it, but the film is so deadset on denying us this one traditional element, and it was a deal breaker for me. This was a solid feral-man attack flick, but calling this The Wolf Man instead of something altogether different, that was a mistake. I am very curious how you all felt about this one, let me know in the comments!
Audio/Video: The flick looks tremendous on 4K Ultra HD from Universal, sourced from a 4K DI with HDR10 color-grading, offering well-saturated colors, excellent contrast, and deep blacks and shadow detail. The colors are somewhat muted, very earthy, lots of greys, blues and blacks, with the greens of the surrounding forest looking wonderful. We also get a resonant and deeply impactful Dolby Atmos track that had plenty of discreet atmospherics, both out in the woods and inside the home, the sound of the wolfman's guttural growl and piercing howl gave me goosebumps. The sound of footsteps walking on the floor above us in the house in the height channels is pretty impressive stuff, plus the bass response is quite pleasing.
Extras include an Audio Commentary With Director/Co-writer Leigh Whannell; the 8-min Unleashing A New Monster; 9-min Designing Wolf Man – Director Leigh Whannell and prosthetic designer Arjen Tuiten; 7-min Hands On Horror; and 7-min Nightmares and Soundscapes.
The 2-disc UHD/BD arrives in a black dual-hub keepcase with a single-sided sleeve of artwork featuring the key artwork for the film, which is replicated on the Slipcover, Inside there's an insert with a redemption code for a 4K Digital Copy of the film.
Special Features:
- Unleashing A New Monster – Explore Leigh Whannell’s dark and gritty take on one of horror’s most iconic monsters. Learn what inspired the visionary director to create this tragic tale of family, loss, and a night of absolute terror. (8:08)
- Designing Wolf Man – Director Leigh Whannell and prosthetic designer Arjen Tuiten, set out to create a Wolf Man unlike any seen before. Take a closer look at the conceptual designs, sculptures and prosthetic make-up that aided in the creation of a monster that stays with you long after the credits roll. (8:55)
– Strap in for a breakdown of the film’s most thrilling action sequences. Cast and crew discuss how practical effects enabled them to capture raw and realistic performances of the most terrifying, heart-pounding scenes in the film. (6:51)
- Nightmares and Soundscapes – Transition into Blake’s perspective and witness the world through the eyes of an animal. Learn how sound design and VFX came together to highlight the enhanced hearing, vision, and complete abandonment of humanity that materialized during the transformation from Man to Wolf. (6:56)
- Audio Commentary With Director/Co-writer Leigh Whannell
Screenshots from the Universal Blu-ray:
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