Wolfman Buzzed Review: Wuff

Unfortunately for me—and for this film—there was no full moon to be seen. It pains me to say that this movie was a lot of bark and hardly any bite. Shallow, predictable, and sadly forgettable are the best words to describe this film. Now, Wolfman isn’t all bad—just most of it. About 70% of it, to be exact.

Short Synopsis

The story focuses on a small family: Blake, Charlotte, and their daughter Ginger. Blake takes them back to Oregon to settle his father’s estate after officially declaring him dead following five years of disappearance. Blake and his father grew up in the deep forests of Oregon. While driving, the family is attacked by an “animal” that Blake encountered as a child. They eventually reach his father’s farmhouse, where they are stalked and forced to survive against the creature’s relentless attacks.

The Good

Where this movie actually shines is in its cinematography. The breathtaking shots of the wilderness will make you want to grab a backpack and head straight to the Pacific Northwest. The location also brings a great sense of isolation, immersing the audience in the feeling of being totally alone with the monster as Blake and his family desperately fight for survival.

Another strong point is the use of practical effects, paired with excellent audio and visual design. The body horror elements stand out, particularly during the transformation sequence, which is wonderfully gruesome. The sounds of bones shifting and nails growing are unsettling and will make you squirm. While it doesn’t reach the iconic level of An American Werewolf in London, it’s still well-executed, especially from the sound department.

The emphasis on sound creates an added layer of tension that the film desperately needs. One concept I appreciated, albeit with mixed feelings, was getting a glimpse of how the Wolfman sees the world. The creature’s night vision and its struggle to comprehend the family’s actions were intriguing, but the execution came off as a bit cheesy, especially in the middle of the film.

While the movie has its moments, the strong points are limited. Beyond these, the rest of the film feels painfully forgettable.

The Bad

The worst thing a film can be is forgettable, and Wolfman epitomizes that. I watched the movie on Thursday, and by Friday, I had to check IMDb just to recall the characters’ names because they were so bland. The movie doesn’t give you enough time to connect with or care about the family. While there are a few tender moments, they’re glossed over too quickly to leave a lasting impression.

The story revolves around Blake, his wife Charlotte, and their daughter Ginger. However, even with a runtime of 1 hour and 43 minutes, the characters barely have any depth. By the time the film provides a genuine moment between them, the plot is already in motion, leaving their development as an afterthought.

Another major issue is the characters’ logic—or lack thereof. Horror movies are infamous for questionable decisions, but Wolfman takes this to an absurd level. Almost all the events could have been avoided with one or two smarter choices. Blake, who grew up in this farmhouse under a militaristic father, somehow forgets every survival skill he should have learned. Without giving away spoilers, the poor decision-making—particularly by Blake—makes the film feel frustratingly dumb.

Lastly, the lack of lore surrounding the Wolfman is a huge letdown. The film opens with just three sentences about the myth of “The Face of the Wolf,” and that’s it. There’s no mention of a full moon, no mystery of how the creature came to be, and no exploration of lycanthropic lore. The minimal exposition is a disservice to the character and the legacy of classic movie monsters.

The Ugly

The Wolfman’s final form is perhaps the biggest disappointment. While the transformation itself is impressively grotesque, the final design of the creature feels underwhelming. It could have passed as a hairy Sasquatch rather than a terrifying lycanthrope. If you’re going to sell the audience on a Wolfman, you need to deliver a creature that’s more wolf than man. The grounded, “realistic” approach doesn’t pack the same punch.

Final Verdict

This movie feels like empty calories—forgettable and lacking substance. While the cinematography and body horror are standout elements, the forgettable characters, absence of lore, and uninspired monster design leave Wolfman declawed.