If you’re a fan of horror or the werewolf genre, Wolf Man is worth a watch. It’s not groundbreaking for the genre, but it remains a solid film. The supernatural is less common than it should be in horror films, which certainly stands out. In spite of the fresh crack at it, The Wolf Man’s reception has been somewhat mixed.
With 52% from critics and 57% from users on Rotten Tomatoes, it is extremely hit or miss. Some people have been gushing endless praise for the film. Simultaneously, others decry it as yet another forgettable werewolf movie in a sea of similarly disappointing titles.
Wolf Man’s Cast of Characters
Wolf Man features a decent cast, but most fall within the main and supporting characters. There aren’t any of what you would call side characters or background cast. The most important characters are the family the story centers around. The story’s main focus is Blake and his wife and daughter, Charlotte and Ginger. Blake’s father also provides a brief supporting presence at the start.
The main three characters of Blake, his wife, and his daughter are compelling enough. The real meat of characterization is in Blake’s relationship with his daughter, Ginger. The little things in their relationship play up their fondness for each other. It’s clear that Blake and Ginger are at the core of the story.
The Plot and Background
The story of this film is solid but not without holes. While it is fun to watch, the film often ignores basic logic. The story begins with Blake living with his strict, disciplinarian, and survivalist father. They run into a creature in the woods while out hunting.
Fast forward to Blake and family returning to his childhood home after his father is declared dead, and he inherits the old house. On the way there, Blake swerves, missing something in the middle of the road. Whatever it is attacks the family, and Blake is scratched as they make their escape.
Shortfalls and Problems
While the film is mostly fine, a few problems merit a mention. For one thing, Blake’s decision to return to his childhood home with his family is poorly justified. He knows it’s dangerous, yet he takes them there for no reason. Several of the more stereotypical horror elements also remain present in Wolf Man. While the film does introduce new ones, it doesn’t entirely leave the stereotypes behind either. Thanks to this, parts of the plot are rather predictable to experienced horror viewers.
Despite the issues, the film gets one thing right – the sense of suspense and the atmosphere. Despite not reinventing the genre, it does a decent job of balancing storytelling with scares. It also retains just enough mystery about where things are going to remain interesting.
Final Thoughts
The review scores on Rotten Tomatoes still remain mixed. While 57% of the general public had a positive impression of it. The Wolf Man is still a solid experience that is well worth watching. It offers enough scary for the uninitiated looking to get into the horror genre. It’s an ideal way to get your feet wet without being overwhelming. While longtime fans of the genre may find more to be critical of, there’s still enough in the film to love. Regardless, the movie is well worth a watch – shortcomings and all.
