The Truth About Werewolves: The Science Behind Wolf Man, Explained

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In various forms, werewolves – as portrayed in this weekend’s Universal Monster reboot, “The Wolf Man” (grab your tickets here!), have been a recurring figure in human folklore and storytelling since before we began recording history. They can be found in ancient works like the Epic of Gilgamesh, the oldest surviving written story, and they’ve been woven into the mythologies of countless cultures across the globe throughout time.

In a unique aspect that sets them apart from other mythical beings, werewolves are often individuals who voluntarily accept this identity, rather than being labeled as such by their community. Unlike witches or vampires, who may find themselves in these roles unwillingly and must struggle to survive, the belief of becoming a wolf is usually a delusion experienced by the individual, even though others cannot observe any transformation.

In different situations, the affected individual often feels as though they’ve been transformed, either temporarily or permanently, into a wolf or another beast. The werewolf legend is most prevalent in regions where wolves are found, but various places have their unique versions featuring animals such as bears, hyenas, leopards, tigers, and others.

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Currently, the legend of the werewolf predominantly persists in our stories, such as novels, graphic novels, TV series, and films. In the upcoming monster movie “Wolf Man” by Universal, director Leigh Whannell (of “The Invisible Man”) provides a contemporary take on this classic creature. Christopher Abbot plays Blake, a man who relocates his wife and daughter to his old homestead after his secluded father vanishes and is believed dead. When the family encounters an unknown beast (a werewolf), they seek refuge within their home. However, Blake sustains a scratch, and his transformation into the wolf man is imminent.

In contrast to past portrayals, Whannell chooses a more realistic perspective by anchoring the narrative in the authentic human experiences of transformation and grief. Although werewolves do not exist, these themes are mirrored in everyday life’s less supernatural scenarios.

The psychological origin of the werewolf myth, as seen in Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man

Clinical lycanthropy refers to the notion that someone has transformed into a werewolf. This delusional belief is frequently linked with other conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression. It’s thought that when a person loses touch with their own identity and body, they may start to misunderstand things in unusual ways.

The way people misunderstand this phenomenon can change and appears to be influenced by cultural beliefs. For instance, the werewolf legend perpetuates this confusion, and in turn, this misconception strengthens the legend. In ancient Greece, it was thought that consuming a blend of wolf and human flesh could transform a person into a werewolf. In other cultures and eras, people believed transformation into a werewolf could occur by drinking water contaminated by wolves or being born during a new moon phase.

During the Middle Ages, robbers occasionally donned wolf pelts over their armor to instill fear and gather loot along the roads. Similarly, warriors adorned themselves with cloaks made from wolves, bears, and other wild creatures before going into battle. There are even tales of these warriors exhibiting the traits of those animals during combat.

In contemporary times, authentic instances of clinical lycanthropy are scarce, having been documented only around 50 times in the last 150 years. Typically associated with adult delusions, a case of clinical lycanthropy was reported in a 12-year-old French child in 2020. The young patient claimed to observe his eyes transform and his teeth elongate when looking in the mirror, and he also heard wolf voices urging him to “join the pack.” He was treated with 1 milligram of risperidone, an antipsychotic drug, and his symptoms subsided within approximately two weeks, regardless of the Moon’s phase.

Regardless if it’s ancient lore, harmful bacteria, or a temporal illusion in culture, werewolves have been around for millennia, and they won’t be disappearing from our world any time in the near future.

Catch Wolf Man in theaters everywhere January 17, 2025.

When will Wolf Man stream on Peacock?

The new Wolf Man will stream on Peacock later this year. Check back for more updates!

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2025-01-15 00:03