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

Dracula. The Frankenstein Monster. The Invisible Man. The Mummy. And, of course, let's not overlook the Wolf Man. These iconic monsters have evolved over the years, transcending their original portrayals while continuously captivating and terrifying audiences across generations. Just recently, we saw Robert Eggers bring us another Dracula in the form of Nosferatu, Guillermo del Toro is working on a new Frankenstein, and now, writer-director Leigh Whannell is reimagining the Wolf Man.

The challenge for filmmakers like Whannell is to make modern audiences care about yet another werewolf movie, and specifically, to make the Wolf Man a compelling character once again. How can these filmmakers, as Whannell puts it, bring these classic monsters back to life in a way that's both scary and relevant?

To delve into this, we sat down with Whannell to discuss the impact of classic monster movies on his work, strategies for reviving beloved characters like the Wolf Man in 2025, and why these tales continue to resonate with audiences. So, arm yourself with torches, wolfsbane, and stakes – and a keen eye for the metaphors within these monster stories – as we explore the enduring allure of these legendary creatures.