‘That Thing Haunts My Nightmares’: Wolf Man Has A Seriously Freaky Spider Scene, And The Horrible Arachnid Is 100 Percent Real

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I have a strong fear of spiders, whether they’re in reality or on screen. Just the thought of one scuttling up my leg sends a chill down my spine. This phobia made one of the scariest scenes in the latest horror movie “Wolf Man” particularly unsettling for me. The scene doesn’t focus on the werewolf action or transformation, but rather an enormous, real spider. What makes this sequence even more terrifying is that the spider-like creature in it is completely authentic.

During a recent interview with director Leigh Whannell for the Los Angeles press day of “Wolf Man,” I felt inclined to inquire about the frightening spider depicted in the movie. The filmmaker shared that he was acquainted with this specific species and that they had to bring it by airplane to the set since there were none available in New Zealand. As Whannell explained, “The production had to fly it over because we didn’t have any of those spiders in New Zealand.

Fun fact: That’s an Australian spider, a creature I’ve known since childhood. Luckily for arachnophobes, these critters aren’t native to New Zealand. If you fear crawlies, consider moving there pronto! For us, it took an overseas relocation just to get a spider like that. Trust me, it still gives me chills in my dreams.

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In this scene from the movie, referred to as the “Wolf Man” sequence, we find ourselves in the second act. The character played by Christopher Abbott, named Blake, starts showing peculiar symptoms following an encounter with a canine-humanoid in the forest. What adds to his unease is a mysterious, rhythmic knocking sound echoing from the upper floor of his childhood home. As he cautiously advances, guided by the noise, he encounters an unexpected source – the soft tapping of spider legs skittering along a wall.

It’s really the most terrifying possible way to discover that your senses are going out of control.

If you’re chuckling at my apparent fear of spiders, as depicted here, let me clarify that I stand by my emotions. After all, Leigh Whannell, the creator we’re discussing, is a fellow member of this specific fear club. In an open conversation, he disclosed to me that he didn’t direct the spider scene in Wolf Man, as his own dread of the miniature creature led him to delegate directorial responsibilities temporarily to one of his associates during production.

During that filming moment, I’d rather be elsewhere when the spider handler entered with it. Instead, I asked Andy Canny, our editor, to step in. Frankly, I don’t want anything to do with that creature. Indeed, it was quite challenging… And boy, they move swiftly. If you provoke them, they scurry away.

As a movie buff with a particular affection for horror, I must confess I’m not exactly comfortable around spiders – but there’s something eerily fitting about it given my interest in this genre. Movies offer me an opportunity to confront my fear head-on, experience that heart-pounding fight-or-flight sensation while remaining safely tucked away in a theater seat. If you find yourself sharing this unique blend of fascination and phobia, I highly recommend checking out Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man, now showing in theaters nationwide.

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2025-01-19 17:37