Universal have made several attempts in recent years to re-boot their classic monster movies from the 1930’s and 1940’s, with decidedly mixed results. The only one that has been wholly successful was The Invisible Man in 2020. The director of that film, Leigh Wannell, has been tasked with this remake of the great 1941 film. This version has been ten years in the making as it has passed through numerous hands in he development stages.
Christopher Abbott stars as Blake. He moves to his family farm Oregon with his wife and kids after his estranged Dad, who had been missing for a number of years, is declared dead. The night they arrive, it is a full moon and the family are attacked by a mysterious creature. After it claws at Blake’s arm, the family barricade themselves in, but they are not safe.
Once the family are under attack and are having to use their initiative to survive, there is genuine tension. There is also one shockingly gruesome moment as the werewolf starts to eat his own arm. However, for a film with a commendably brief run time, it feels like it takes a long while to get to that point. Also, the subtext of a son trying to live up to his father’s example and expectations is clumsily handled.
Worth seeing for the last half, but I cannot see this iteration spawning a franchise.
Rating: 6.5 out of 10