Wolf Man Reactions: Critics Are Split on Leigh Whannell’s New Monster Movie

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Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man appears to be divisive among film critics.

This upcoming weekend, the horror film “Wolf Man,” directed by James Wan’s longtime collaborator, Leigh Whannell (of “The Invisible Man” 2020 fame), will hit U.S. cinemas. The Blumhouse production features Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, and other notable stars in its cast.

Now that the movie’s critical review embargo has been lifted, it appears that some critics have found the Wolf Man to be quite enjoyable, whereas others are less enthused about it.

What are critics saying about Wolf Man?

In simple terms, Jonathan Sim from ComingSoon rated the movie a 9 out of 10, which means it’s an exceptional or excellent film. In his review, he praised the movie for its unrelenting horror elements and well-crafted character moments that never disrupt the pace. He also appreciated the director’s approach to the narrative detail, demonstrating trust and respect towards the audience. Overall, Sim found the movie to be a masterpiece of cinematic brilliance, a no-nonsense horror film with impressive makeup effects, where the setup and payoff were perfectly balanced. He strongly recommended watching it in the theater.

As a passionate viewer, I’d express that William Bibbiani shared his thoughts on Wolf Man, stating it might not reach the iconic status of The Invisible Man, but it undeniably offers a chilling and engaging experience. The film is held together by Abbott’s captivating portrayal, who not only fulfilled his role brilliantly, but also delivered an exceptional performance that surpassed expectations.

David Rooney from The Hollywood Reporter characterized it as a “moderately ranked” Blumhouse production rather than a top-notch one. While Rooney concurred with Bibbiani that it doesn’t reach the excellence of “The Invisible Man,” he also pointed out that the film offers plenty of intensity, gore, and an efficient script that effectively secludes a vulnerable family unit before subjecting them to chaotic werewolf chaos.

Other critics expressed stronger disapproval towards the film. Peter Debruge from Variety commented that the movie’s transformation and monster effects were disappointing, while David Ehrlich from IndieWire described it as a “troublesome creature feature” that mirrors the studio’s recent failed attempts to revitalize lycanthropy.

Meagan Navarro from Bloody Disgusting characterized the movie as an “ambitious yet divisive endeavor,” adding that “Whannell is a skilled director with daring concepts, but his Wolf Man fails to establish a clear identity due to being overextended in attempting to incorporate so many grand ideas.

Wolf Man will be released in United States theaters on January 17, 2025.

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2025-01-15 23:10