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

Dracula. Frankenstein's monster. The Invisible Man. The Mummy.

And, of course, the Wolfman.

These iconic horror figures have evolved and adapted over time, defying singular interpretations while consistently terrifying audiences across generations. Recently, we've seen a new Dracula (in Nosferatu form) from Robert Eggers, Guillermo del Toro is crafting a fresh Frankenstein, and now writer-director Leigh Whannell presents his vision of the Wolfman.

However, the challenge remains: how does a filmmaker like Whannell captivate modern audiences with another werewolf film, particularly one centered on the Wolfman? More broadly, as Whannell himself notes, how do any filmmakers revitalize these classic monsters, making them both frightening and relatable in the present day?

Gather your torches, prepare your wolfsbane, sharpen your stakes—and hone your ability to decipher the allegorical depth of monster narratives—because we interviewed Whannell about the impact of classic monster movies on his work, his approach to resurrecting beloved creatures like the Wolfman in 2025, and why you should be excited!