WOLFMAN (2025)

Wolf Man Predictable Plot, Missed Scares, and CGI Chaos Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner lead Wolf Man, a supernatural horror that tries to blend family drama with monster mayhem but ultimately fails to hit the mark. Directed by Leigh Whannell, the film follows Blake, a man slowly transforming into a monstrous Wolfman, terrorizing his family in a remote Oregon farmhouse. While the atmospheric setting adds tension, the predictable plot and laughable CGI ruin the horror vibe. Julia Garner shines, giving a much-needed emotional core, but Abbott’s lackluster performance doesn’t carry the film. Expect a lot of cringeworthy moments and not much bite from this one.

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The Tipsy Critic

1/25/20254 min read

Wolf Man (2025)

Release Date: January 17, 2025
Director: Leigh Whannell
Starring: Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, Sam Jaeger

Let’s set the scene: It’s Saturday night, and I’m torn between two cinematic options—Wolf Man or Flight Risk. On one hand, an edge-of-your-seat horror flick; on the other, a slick, action-packed Liam Hemsworth thriller. After a few beers, the decision seemed obvious: horror. Who doesn’t love a good scare on a Saturday night? With popcorn in hand, I headed to the cinema and settled in just in time for the trailers. Surprisingly, the theater was practically empty—a rare sight for a weekend evening. Maybe I should’ve taken that as a sign, but hey, I was already there.

Setting the Stage

The story kicks off in San Francisco, where we meet Blake (Christopher Abbott), a seemingly devoted father and husband. Blake’s wife, Charlotte (played by Julia Garner, Ruth from Ozark fame), is a career-driven powerhouse trying to balance her demanding job and family life. Together, they have a young daughter, Ginger (Matilda Firth), whose wide-eyed innocence sets the tone for what should’ve been a high-stakes, emotional story.

Blake learns he has inherited his childhood home, a crumbling, isolated property in rural Oregon, following the mysterious disappearance of his estranged father. Hoping for a chance to reconnect and escape their mundane routine, the family packs up for a little getaway. Charlotte reluctantly agrees, despite her instincts that Blake’s past might come with some unresolved baggage.

Once at the house, the tension slowly builds—or at least, that’s what the movie tries to do. The ominous creaks, eerie shadows, and conveniently malfunctioning lights set the standard haunted house vibe. However, things take a sharp turn when they’re attacked by an unseen creature in the dead of night. From this point on, it becomes clear that the creature isn’t the only thing the family has to fear—Blake himself starts unraveling, and not in the way you’d hope.

A Tired Plot Wrapped in Mediocrity

To call the storyline predictable would be generous. The “estranged father, cursed family legacy” trope is overdone, and Wolf Man doesn’t do anything fresh with it. Flashbacks of Blake’s troubled childhood hint at a darker backstory, but they’re frustratingly vague, leaving the audience to piece together a puzzle that ultimately isn’t worth solving.

It’s quickly revealed that the creature terrorizing the family is tied to Blake’s bloodline—surprise, he’s slowly turning into the titular Wolfman. This twist lands with a thud because, let’s face it, we all saw it coming from the trailers. What’s worse, the transformation scenes, which should be the movie’s standout moments, are bogged down by horrendous CGI. For a movie made in 2025 with a $25 million budget, the special effects feel like they belong in a low-budget 90s TV show. The Wolfman itself looks cartoonish, with fur and fangs that fail to evoke fear or awe. It’s hard to suspend disbelief when the creature looks more confused than menacing.

Performances: A Wasted Opportunity

Julia Garner is easily the standout here, bringing depth to a role that doesn’t deserve her talent. As Charlotte, she balances fear, frustration, and fierce determination, especially in the moments where she confronts Blake’s descent into monstrosity. Watching her try to shield her daughter while grappling with her husband’s dark secret is one of the few emotionally engaging aspects of the film.

Christopher Abbott, on the other hand, feels miscast as Blake. While he’s great at brooding and looking distressed, his performance lacks the charisma and intensity needed to carry the role. The script doesn’t do him any favors either, saddling him with clunky dialogue that reduces his character to a series of anguished stares and cryptic one-liners.

The supporting cast, including Sam Jaeger as the local sheriff investigating the strange happenings, is underutilized. Jaeger’s character is introduced with hints of intrigue but quickly fades into the background, contributing little to the plot.

Where It All Falls Apart

The pacing of Wolf Man is one of its biggest flaws. The first half drags as it tries to build suspense, relying on clichéd horror setups like flickering lights, creepy noises, and ominous shots of the forest. By the time the action ramps up in the second half, it’s too little, too late. The big climactic showdown between Blake, now fully transformed, and Charlotte feels rushed and lacks the emotional weight it desperately needed.

The movie also struggles to balance its horror elements with its family drama. On paper, the idea of a family torn apart by a supernatural curse sounds compelling. In execution, it’s shallow and uneven, with too much time spent on dull exposition and not enough on developing the relationships that should anchor the story.

A Few Bright Spots

Despite its many flaws, Wolf Man isn’t without its moments. The setting—a remote, decaying farmhouse surrounded by dense woods—is genuinely creepy and lends itself well to the film’s atmosphere. Some of the quieter scenes, like Charlotte exploring the house and discovering relics from Blake’s past, manage to build a sense of unease.

There’s also an unintentionally hilarious scene where Blake tries to explain the family curse to Charlotte in a convoluted monologue. It’s so over-the-top and poorly written that you can’t help but laugh, providing some much-needed levity in an otherwise dreary film.

Final Verdict

At the end of the day, Wolf Man is a classic case of wasted potential. The premise had the makings of a gripping, character-driven horror film, but weak writing, lackluster performances, and laughable special effects sink it. Julia Garner’s strong performance is the only real saving grace, but even she can’t salvage the movie’s messy execution.

Would I recommend it? Only if you’re in the mood for some unintentional comedy and don’t mind cringing through the CGI. Otherwise, skip this one and save your money for a horror movie that actually delivers on its promise.

Final Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4 out of 10 stars)

Until next time, keep your popcorn buttery, your beers cold, and your expectations low. Cheers! 🍺