Wolf Man (2025) [4K UHD Review]
Wolf Man dares to ask the question, just how much is Universal going to let Leigh Whannell recreate? I remember when the first images of the monster design leaked online and people were mad. Why? Well, because the same people who keep asking for something different or are always ready to freak out when they finally get it. But, what does that mean for people trying to get their lycanthropy swirl on in 2025? The answer is not much.
But, if you’ve seen the similarly staged Invisible Man from right before the Pandemic kicked off, you’ll know what to expect. It’s not M3gan, but what is? Also, I love watching Julia Garner and things that aren’t Ozark. However, I have a hard time understanding a lot of the casting choices in Wolf Man. We’ll get into that soon.
Table of Contents
It’s like Rabies and Mange but Rustic!
There is something about the level of world building that Wolf Man attempts in its opening. It’s a story about family. Hell, it’s a look at making the decision between being a workaholic or putting family first and foremost. Blake Lovell had a rather strange childhood, but he loved where he grew up. It is quite beautiful to see and the overall natural forest growth is stunning. But, it’s more of a back drop to get the family into a remote scenario where they can be left vulnerable.
I mean, it’s not like you get away with the same urban scares that were all over Invisible Man. When Wolf Man thrives, it’s based off making you watch Blake suffer and break apart. It’s never quite Cronenberg levels, but it makes you feel the pain of this infection transforming him. But, even in that, you see the problem I have with Wolf Man. It starts crazy ideas and wants to build off of there. But, the film never commits to showing what becoming a Wolf Man really does to a body. In a way, it feels closer to being a cousin of The Beast Within.
Horror is so weird when put to the generational test
Every age wants to be its fingerprints over beloved horror icons. However, as the studio system becomes a front for private equity firms, the results get a bit wonky. Julia Garner as Charlotte at times feels like a third banana. Her story is almost incidental to her husband’s trek, as it seems like the Wolf Man infection helps him to work through a ton of issues he has about his father and more. Garner feels like she’s there just to keep the kid alive and to give it a touch of girl power. Now, I’m not about to turn into ClownfishTV or anything, but damn if it doesn’t get tiring to check boxes when making a narrative.
Even the Invisible Man feels dated for being a 5 year old movie. You can make a feature film without going out of your way to make a girl power movie about being victimized yet still being powerful. It’s a family movie about overcoming terrible past weight to make a better future. Thankfully, the film keeps itself to a respectable run time and doesn’t overstay its welcome. Looking at you, Heart Eyes!
Now, this is a Wolf Man
When you say Wolf Man, certain images come to mind. Full moons, gypsy curses, dead hitchhiker friends, weird nightmares of Nazi demons murdering families and finally Uncle Rico having nards. While I love a good reimagining, this Wolf Man feels like the same thing as calling the 28 Days Later threat the same as zombies. Much like The Crazies, this is a disease film where the infected is a threat. Honestly, the aesthetic trapping feels more The Beast Within than Lawrence Talbot or anything else.
People like me want to see big hunkering slobbery beasts going in for the kill. I appreciate Wolf Man trying to do some different with an infected Wolf person, but I’m not quite sure if it has the same impact of a traditional Wolf Man or werewolf or sentient dog creature approach.
What’s happening with that 4K UHD?
The Wolf Man 4K UHD comes with 30 minutes of special features. They are the typical EPK and BTS featurettes that break down the production. What I enjoyed was the commentary that let Leigh Whannell explain his choices and the overall approach to the film.
The A/V Quality works well with a 2160p transfer that really pops. We’re opening up the framework to allow for more screenshots to be added. For Wolf Man alone, we took around 18 screenshots, but typically we only have the space to show 3-5. So, we’re looking out on the upgrade side to give you more to check out. Plus, the HDR10 really makes everything pop off and that that Atmos track makes the final third really hammer in the terror. Check it out!
