Leigh Whannell and Blumhouse’s modernized retelling of the Universal Monsters classicWolf Manreceives its first trailer, teasing a family tormented by a curse that sees Christopher Abbott’s Lawrence “Larry” Talbot transform into a terrifying creature. The movie is a reboot of the classic character first portrayed by Lon Chaney Jr. in 1941’sThe Wolf Man, which shaped how audiences viewed werewolves in fiction. Whannell’sWolf Manalso starsJulia Garner, Sam Jaeger, and Matilda Firth, and isslated for release in January 2025.
As Universal Studios embraces the coming spooky season, the officialUniversal PicturesYouTube channel hasreleased the first trailer forWolf Man.
The trailer begins with images of the natural wildlife of Oregon, as a family sets up a new life in the rural landscape. But their peaceful new home is soon disturbed, as Abbott’s Larry sustains a strange wound, leading to him undergoing a transformation that gives him superhuman gifts, and a bloodlust that threatens all he cares about, with the footage ending with him lashing out at Garner’s character.
How Does Wolf Man Update The Classic Universal Monster
Wolf Man’s Updated Story Explores A Family Plagued By A Curse
Wolf Manis Whannell’s second modern reimagining of aclassic Universal Monsters icon, following his work on 2020’sTheInvisibleMan, which saw Oliver Jackson-Cohen take on the titular role. While Claude Rains' 1933 version of the character was a scientist-turned-criminal maddened by his experiment, Jackson-Cohen’s Adrian Griffin is a violent and abusive CEO who fakes his death and enacts a scheme to torment and entrap his partner, Cecilia (Elisabeth Moss). Though its origins differ from his 1933 counterpart and H.G. Wells' novel inspiration, Whannell’s retelling retained its message of misuse of power alongside its careful exploration of domestic abuse.
Abbott’s Larry is a loving father who is cursed when defending his family from a supposed home invasion, leading to him receiving the curse
A similar modernization can already be seen in Whannell’sWolfManbeyond its contemporary American setting. The core of the original 1941 movie is Larry’s romantic relationship with antique shop owner Gwen Contliffe (Evelyn Ankers), whom he defends from the wolf that curses him. Much of the struggle Larry faces revolves around him trying to avoid putting those he loves at risk. Footage released at Cinemacon revealed thatAbbott’s Larry is a loving father who is cursed when defending his familyfrom a supposed home invasion, leading to him receiving the curse.
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While attendees at Universal Studios' Halloween Horror Nights have received an early glimpse at the titular creature’s design, it is clear thatWolfManis hoping to keep its redesigned monster’s appearance close to their chest. As such, the first trailer is focused on the family, building up what is at stake. With this, there is a lot of anticipation to see the monster when it makes its inevitable on-screen debut.
Wolf Man
Cast
Wolf Man, released on July 12, 2025, follows Blake and his wife Charlotte as they visit his secluded childhood home in rural Oregon. After a mysterious animal attack, they become trapped inside, and Charlotte is forced to confront Blake’s disturbing transformation amidst growing tension and fear.
