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 modern audiences connect with yet another werewolf movie, especially one featuring the iconic Wolf Man? How do any filmmakers, as Whannell notes, make these classic monsters scary and relevant in 2025?
Gather your torches, prepare your wolfsbane, sharpen your stakes—and hone your ability to decipher the metaphors inherent in monster stories—because we spoke with Whannell about the impact of classic monster movies on his work, his approach to reviving beloved creatures like the Wolf Man, and why you should care.