Warning: This post contains spoilers for Wolf Man.

Upon its February 2020 release, the horror-thriller remake was lauded as a clever reimagining of the original, offering a fresh perspective.

Universal’s latest attempt to modernize its classic monster franchise, Wolf Man, explores themes of toxic masculinity and intergenerational trauma. However, the film struggles to reconcile its family-centric plot with a cohesive message.

A contemporary retelling

The film opens with young Blake Lovell (played by Zac Chandler and later Christopher Abbott) and his volatile father, Grady (Sam Jaeger), in rural Oregon. Their strained relationship is revealed through scenes depicting Grady’s potentially abusive behavior. A brief encounter with a wolf-like creature, stemming from a mysterious infection, sets the stage. Grady plans to kill the creature, but Blake’s true fear is his father.

Thirty years later, Blake, a stay-at-home dad in San Francisco, receives news of Grady’s death. Seeking a fresh start for his family—wife Charlotte (Julia Garner) and daughter Ginger (Matilda Firth)—he takes them to his childhood home.

The narrative unfolds over a single night. A car accident and an attack by the wolf man force the family to barricade themselves in Grady’s house. Blake is scratched, unknowingly sealing his fate.

Modernizing the 1941 classic

Echoes of George Waggner’s 1941 film, The Wolf Man, are apparent. The original follows Larry Talbot (Lon Chaney Jr.) as he returns home, reconciles with his father (Claude Rains), and falls for Gwen Conliffe (Evelyn Ankers). A bite from a creature transforms Larry into a werewolf.

In this version, Blake’s transformation—unrelated to the moon—is permanent. His behavior becomes increasingly aggressive towards his family, mirroring his fear of becoming the very thing he fears in his father.

The wolf man eventually enters the house, but Blake, driven by his remaining humanity, kills the creature, revealing it to be his father. Blake is now destined for the same fate, a departure from the original where Larry is killed by his father. This divergence creates thematic ambiguity.

An ambiguous conclusion

The film portrays Blake as a caring father striving to break the cycle of abuse. Yet, the ending, where Charlotte must kill Blake to protect her daughter, raises questions about his true nature and the possibility of redemption.

The film leaves viewers grappling with questions about Blake’s character, the inevitability of inherited trauma, and the balance between prompting reflection and leaving audiences lost in metaphorical ambiguity.