Hollywood Revives Classic Monster: Wolfman Returns

Dracula. The Frankenstein monster. The Invisible Man. The Mummy. And, of course, the Wolf Man. These classic monsters have evolved and adapted over decades, transcending singular interpretations while continuing to terrify 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 Wolf Man.

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

Gather your torches, prepare your wolfsbane, sharpen your stakes—and hone your ability to interpret the metaphorical depths of monster stories—because we spoke with Whannell about the impact of classic monster movies on his work, his approach to revitalizing beloved creatures like the Wolf Man in 2025, and why you should care.