Wolf Man Director Explains Why Monster Movies Are Back In A Big Way

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Leigh Whannel’s “Wolf Man” is about to premiere in the coming days, and although it remains uncertain whether it will be a box office success, it is clear that there has been a recent surge of mainstream monster movies. Indeed, vampires and werewolves have long been popular in Hollywood, but nowadays they seem to serve as more than just bloodthirsty figures seeking a meal; they appear to reflect society in a unique way. As such, Whannell posits that the current resurgence of interest in monster movies stems from their ability to resonate deeply with audiences.

In an interview with GamesRadar+, Whannell was questioned about why he thinks audiences are increasingly drawn to movies like Abigail, Nosferatu, Werewolves, and Terrifier. Despite the frequent production of monster films in Hollywood, their popularity appears to follow a pattern, which the director suggests is not intentional but rather a matter of chance.

These trends develop naturally, and it’s often unclear why. They seem to be driven by some collective consciousness that helps shape them into being.

In a more detailed explanation, Whannel explains that the prevailing theme in modern monster movies is largely influenced by current global events. Just as horror films are most effective when they carry a deeper message, monster movies resonate strongly when they portray humans as the true monsters, not creatures with fur and fangs, but rather, human beings themselves.

It seems to me that we’re living in times that are rather volatile and uncertain for many, with a great deal of turmoil. Perhaps, it’s as if the world is at a crossroads, and monsters could be serving as an effective metaphor for this state. Maybe people are seeking out these monster narratives to confront and purge society’s darkest aspects through cinema.

In a typical monster movie, identifying the source of trouble is straightforward – just point at the monster. However, in our everyday lives, things aren’t so simple. People are often pointing fingers at each other, making it challenging to discern the truth. We currently find ourselves in a time where information is abundant but also easily misconstrued and coming from all angles. In a monster movie, the truth stands out. Perhaps what we need now is that clarity – a clear understanding of who or what is causing the problems.

A New Age of Monster Movies is Upon Us

It seems Whannell’s theory might hold some truth, since examining horror films from the past shows that during times of societal unrest, people tend to seek solace in the mysterious. During the 1950s, known as the atomic age, there was a surge in moviegoers who wanted to watch movies like Godzilla, Them!, The Day the Earth Stood Still, and Earth vs. the Flying Saucers. These films warned us of the potential dangers if we continued meddling with forces beyond our understanding, hinting at the possibility of facing severe consequences.

In much the same way, those films from the late ’60s and early ’70s, such as Night of the Living Dead, The Last House on the Left, The Exorcist, and The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, echoed not just our apprehensions regarding a forthcoming technological upheaval, but also reflected wider societal anxieties about war, immigration, and the impact of youth culture.

Currently, the political gap is wider than it’s ever been, leading to a societal rift unseen previously, mainly due to social media intensifying everything significantly, regardless of its veracity. As Whannell suggests, these are indeed uncertain times, and it might well be true that we’re on the cusp of a new era for monster movies. It remains to be seen whether this will lead to box office success for Wolf Man, which opens nationwide on Jan 17 from Universal Pictures. You can decide its fate when the movie debuts.

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2025-01-15 21:02