I Watched The Original Wolf Man For The First Time, And I Have To Talk About One Thing I Was Not Over The Moon About

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This week sees the release of “Wolf Man”, one of the most eagerly awaited horror movies slated for 2025. In light of this, I thought it was high time I watched the 1941 classic that served as its inspiration. Just as with any other older horror film I enjoy, I made an effort to step into the shoes of the original audience and savor the movie, taking note of its slightly outdated elements.

To put it simply, though I found many things to admire in George Waggner’s timeless Universal Monster film, “The Wolf Man,” it wouldn’t make my personal list of top werewolf movies to watch. There was a specific element in the original that I fervently wished would be improved upon in Leigh Whannell’s remake, “Wolf Man.” Let me share more about this…

Larry Talbot, The Original Wolf Man, Is A Despicable Creep

As a cinephile penning this review, let me share my thoughts on “The Wolf Man.” This classic horror tale introduces us to Larry Talbot, a role made iconic by Lon Chaney Jr., who later reprised it in other Universal Monster movies such as “Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man.” Interestingly, this film doesn’t initially portray its lead character in a favorable light. Right from the start, we are introduced to Larry Talbot as someone whose actions and decisions may not always align with our expectations or sympathies.

Initially, he sees Gwen Conliffe (Evelyn Ankers) through his father’s telescope, then tries to approach her by hinting that he had been watching her, an action she clearly disapproves of. When she reveals her engagement to Patric Knowles’ character, Frank Andrews, it doesn’t deter him from pursuing her; instead, it seems to fuel his persistence. Consequently, I struggled to empathize with this character or appreciate him, which became an issue as the horror intensified.

I Found It Hard To Sympathize With Larry Talbot

In the werewolf movies I love best, such as “An American Werewolf in London” from 1981, it’s the main character’s transformation into a fierce, furry, bloodthirsty monster that often unsettles me. Regrettably, by the time things got hairy in “The Wolf Man,” I didn’t find myself feeling distressed because the movie failed to provide me with opportunities to connect or empathize with Larry Talbot.

In my opinion, Talbot’s disgraceful conduct prior to his wolf bite isn’t merely a personal issue, but it compromises the core ideas of the movie. As Gwen C. Katz explains in her Medium post, lycanthropy tales often delve into the struggle between a person’s human and wilder aspects. But when viewed from a contemporary perspective, Larry’s portrayal as an unpleasant brute even before transforming undermines the intended message for me.

My General Feelings About The Wolf Man

Although Larry Talbot isn’t typically my favorite classic horror movie antagonist, there’s still a lot to appreciate about The Wolf Man. Particularly, I was impressed by the makeup effects, which I found to be timeless and often superior to those in some modern werewolf films.

While some films didn’t quite match the level of excitement they promised, they still managed to give me a bigger adrenaline rush than this one. Adopting the perspective of a 1940s cinema-goer in my mind didn’t change that. Nevertheless, given the impressive makeup and the chilling atmosphere crafted by the set design, I believe it’s worth giving it a shot – particularly for those who are diehard horror fans.

I’m glad my indifferent response to “The Wolf Man” didn’t dampen my enthusiasm for the reboot, given that the initial critical responses to “Wolf Man” have been generally favorable. Let’s hope that Christopher Abbott’s character as a wolf bite victim in the 2025 movie will evoke the right kind of eeriness this time around.

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2025-01-15 18:07