As Leigh Whannell prepares to unleash his vision of Wolf Man on modern audiences, it’s worth reflecting on the cinematic journey of one of horror’s most iconic monsters. The Wolf Man has prowled across the decades, transforming with the times while maintaining his primal appeal. From the tragic figure of the 1941 classic to the varied reimaginings that followed, the legacy of the Wolf Man is a fascinating study in reinvention.
The Birth of a Legend: Lon Chaney Jr. and Universal’s Classic Era The Wolf Man’s journey began in 1941, with Lon Chaney Jr. donning the iconic fur in Universal’s The Wolf Man. Directed by George Waggner and written by Curt Siodmak, the film introduced audiences to Larry Talbot, a sympathetic protagonist cursed to transform into a werewolf under the full moon. Chaney’s portrayal of Talbot’s anguish gave the film its heart, and Jack Pierce’s groundbreaking makeup solidified the character’s image.
The success of The Wolf Man led to three sequels: Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944), and House of Dracula (1945). These films further developed Talbot’s tragic arc, weaving his story into Universal’s monster crossover universe. Each sequel reinforced the character’s dual nature: a man tormented by his monstrous alter ego.
A Lighter Touch: Abbott and Costello and the Wolf Man By 1948, the Wolf Man had taken on a comedic edge, appearing alongside Frankenstein’s Monster and Dracula in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein. Chaney reprised his role, playing Talbot as the straight man amidst the comedic chaos. The film’s success demonstrated the character’s flexibility, capable of navigating both horror and humour.
Unexpected Turns: Alvin and the Chipmunks, Van Helsing, and Beyond Over the years, the Wolf Man’s influence extended into unexpected territory. He howled his way into pop culture parodies like Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman (2000), where the character’s legacy was reimagined for younger audiences.
In Stephen Sommers’ Van Helsing (2004), the Wolf Man returned to his monstrous roots, albeit with a modern action-horror twist. This iteration leaned into the creature’s ferocity, pitting him against Dracula and showcasing a more physically imposing design.
Another notable homage came with House of the Wolf Man (2009), an independent film that sought to recapture the spirit of Universal’s golden age. The film’s black-and-white aesthetic and classic monster vibes paid loving tribute to the Wolf Man’s origins.
The Modern Wolf: Benicio Del Toro in The Wolfman In 2010, Universal attempted to revitalise their iconic character with The Wolfman, starring Benicio Del Toro as Lawrence Talbot. Directed by Joe Johnston, the film embraced the gothic atmosphere of the original while updating the story with modern effects. Despite mixed reviews, Del Toro’s brooding performance and Rick Baker’s Oscar-winning makeup honoured the character’s tragic essence.
A New Moon Rises: Leigh Whannell’s Vision As we look ahead to Leigh Whannell’s upcoming Wolf Man, there’s excitement in seeing how this legendary figure will be reimagined for a new era. Whannell’s track record with The Invisible Man (2020) suggests a fresh, psychological approach to the tale, potentially emphasising themes of isolation, inner turmoil, and the beast within.
A Legacy of Transformation From Lon Chaney Jr.’s mournful Larry Talbot to Benicio Del Toro’s tortured Lawrence, the Wolf Man’s enduring appeal lies in his duality. He is both victim and villain, embodying the eternal struggle between man and monster. Over the decades, this tragic figure has adapted to reflect the fears and sensibilities of each generation, ensuring his place among the pantheon of cinematic monsters.
Whannell’s Wolf Man will undoubtedly add a new chapter to this storied legacy. Whether it will embrace the past, forge a new path, or find a balance between the two, one thing is certain: the howl of the Wolf Man will continue to echo across the ages.
It’s been 10 years since Lee Whannell created a universe that opened up a portal into The Further. There’s been a further three instalments since then to expand on the disturbing journey which has seen The Lamberts face untold evil beyond the realms of our known realm; we’ve shared the pains of loveable medium Elise (Lyn Shaye) and her struggles to rid the torment of the lady in black; and the goofy sidekicks, Specs (Whannell) and Tucker (Angus Sampson) to supply the chuckles amongst the sinister and creepy paranormal events that unfold.
Where there has been ups and downs in the franchise so far, straying deeper into the world in order to flesh out and lure audiences back into the fold, arguably the creative have struggled to recapture the initial vision set out by Whannell combined with the directorial eye of James Wan.
The horror genre has always been one for experimentation though and often has provided a vessel for those to try out new things in order to create or spark the imagination, so when the news came that there would be a fifth instalment, it didn’t come with groans or grimaces as it not only posed the question of what happened to the Lamberts following attempts to suppress the memories of patriarchal figure, Josh (Patrick Wilson) and his son Dalton (Ty Simpkins), but it also offers Wilson the opportunity to sit in the Director’s chair. Wilson is ripe with experience before the lens, and has been as close to the source material throughout the past years, so is in prime position to carry the lantern back into The Further once more.
The premise is something of a double-edged sword however, as there was so much balance placed on the Lambert’s upheaval and band-aid solution to sealing up The Further from their lives, that it is inevitable when returning to this world that there will need to be a shift in equilibrium.
Whannell returns once more to helm writing duties alongside his creative partner Scott Teems to weave a story that examines what happens when we repress our emotions and in this case the connection to astral projections. We learn that Josh’s mother Lorraine (Barbara Hershey) has passed on, along with some secrets that she thought she had taken to the grave; and Josh and Renai (Rose Byrne) have separated, which is a little predictable, but also inevitable when repression has been forced and skeletons welded in the closet, or behind the red door. With the relationship strained, so too has Josh and his son Dalton. What once was a bond united by their paranormal abilities, has been severed along with their binding. The impact that this has takes its toll and seeps to the surface at a key point in Dalton’s life; leaving the family home to go to University.
As Dalton tries to find himself in his art studies, unlocking the very thing that has been kept at bay, Josh goes in search for the reason his world has been turned upside down, and the reason behind his foggy mind. Both these pursuits will take them on a dangerous turn, that could take them on a descent from which not only will contain their souls but will come at the cost of those they hold dear.
The Prognosis:
While there is still promise contained within the world of The Further, this could be one step too far for the Lamberts. There is a decent plot at hand, crafted by Patrick Wilson for his feature length directorial debut and Whannel offers another venture into the world with his penmanship.
On face value, it works, but delve a little deeper and you soon realise it lacks the chemistry of the first film. The absence of Wan is noticeable, and the humour is a little too forced in places. Without the heart and soul of what initially drew us to Insidious, we’re left stumbling around in the dark, waiting for someone to flick on the corpse light and lead us back home.
Saul Muerte
Insidious: The Red Door is currently screening at cinemas nationwide.
100 years ago the Roaring Twenties came into effect with a social and economic boom that pushed the boundaries of experimentation and exploration dubbing it the crazy years.
Cinema has evolved greatly during this time and spawned Robert Miene’s silent horror in German Expressionism, which is still considered a classic among some critics.
While the tides have shifted and the boundaries of what is classified as horror has twisted through the years, moving numerous debates and discussions along the way, we come to a time when originality can be hard to come by, or perhaps the audience has become too critical and our perceptions have changed.
Can the films of today cause a deeper development in the genre that we’ve come to love and like the films that were born a century ago stir the insanity again and break new ground in the process?
Let’s look at what 2020 has in store and see if indeed it will deliver.
This film has led some early reports to compare it to Alien but in the ocean deep instead of the far reaches of space. It does boast Kristen Stewart in the cast who may divide audiences and has been a bit hit and miss of late in her film choices but she is supported in this instance by Vincent Cassel, who is known for choosing experimental films. Does this then mean that this team of underwater researchers will uncover not only a few beasties but also break new ground in the process?
Prediction: Neither sink or swim. A drifter that will entertain some but not cast anything new into the cinematic landscape.
Jan 24 – The Turning
Based on Henry James novel, The Turn of the Screw and produced by Steven Spielberg, it stars Mackenzie Davis (Terminator: Dark Fate) and Finn “Can my hair grow any longer?” Wolfhard (Stranger Things) and bears close scrutiny as director Mike Flanagan (Doctor Sleep) is set to release an interpretation of the novel in Netflix series, The Haunting of Bly Manor, his follow up to the successful The Haunting of Hill House.
Prediction: Director Floria Sigismondi will no doubt bring some artistic visual flair that is evidence from her music videos, but could possibly fall foul of “popcorn syndrome” – Light, fluffy with a bit of crunch and serves the masses, but ultimately has no substance.
Initially I was really excited about this release, being a fan of the Ju On franchise, plus Nicolas Pesce’s work with The Eyes of My Mother, and Piercing. Both movies have pushed the boundaries of comfort and shot in stylistic fashion that I was keen to see where Pesce would take The Grudge. Early reports haven’t been favourable however, so it could be another disappointment in the first month of the new decade.
Prediction: Could be another franchise instalment too many. The name alone will pull in the numbers, yet may not hit the mark on the scare front.
Jan 31 – Gretel and Hansel
It’s been over 200 years since The Brothers Grimm fashioned the fairy tale about a cannibalistic witch that kidnaps two children roaming in the woods. The fact that it is still resonates today is a testament to the strength of the storytelling and it will be interesting to see the story told from the perspective of Gretel played by Sophia Lillis (IT) who has already proved compelling as the young Beverly Marsh.
Prediction: Better than your average fair without necessarily offering anything new or compelling with the horror genre.
Some may argue its place in this list, but it is billed as a psychological horror and director Robert Eggers has already made a name for himself in the artistic expressionism world within the genre with his debut feature, The VVitch, a film that also divided audiences. American audiences have already seen the movie too as it was released there last year, but as yet Australian audiences are still to see Eggers’ sophomore outing which pits Willem Defoe and Robert Pattinson against one another in a battle of wills and sanity in a remote and confined island.
Prediction: Will wow audiences looking for the alternative and alienate those more into the mainstream. Either way, both audiences will applaud the performances and Eggers and cinematographer Jarin Blaschke will paint a stunningly beautiful canvas.
Feb 13 – Fantasy Island
Blumhouse Productions are about to shake things up again by breathing new life into a cult 70s tv series. With a star-studded cast – Michael Pena (Crash), Maggie Q (Nikita), Lucy Hale (Pretty Little Liars), and Michael Rooker (Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer). On an island where your fantasies come true, only to turn into nightmares and the guests must figure out its mystery in order to survive.
Prediction: Another success for Jason Blum and the team which will connect with the cinema-going public. If it’s played right, it could offer a fresh take using a blend of fantasy and horror that could also spark a franchise
Feb 21 – Brahms: The Boy ll
This one is a bit of an oddity. Whilst its predecessor was a middle of the road affair and proved to be better than expected. It did feel like a one-off movie that didn’t necessarily warrant any further journey into the world of Brahms. A sequel is here though and will pick up with the doll being discovered by another family.
Prediction: A flop that will fall by the wayside and may not even make a blip on the radar.
Feb 27 – The Invisible Man
Another Blumhouse movie, this time in collaboration with Universal to resurrect their monsters franchise after the abysmal Tom Cruise vehicle from a few years ago. In what is potentially a ripe and current topic being explored in domestic violence as its central theme The Invisible Man boasts a cracking cast with Elisabeth Moss taking lead duties. It’s also in great hands with director Leigh Whannel steering the ship following his successful movie Upgrade from last year, plus Whannel is a storyteller, so expect a decent script to boot.
Prediction: The first big success of the year bringing the Universal monsters franchise back on track and paving the way for future projects with The Bride, Renfeld, The Invisible Woman, and Frankenstein.
Mar 20 – A Quiet Place Part 2
The question is whether director John Krasiniski can repeat the winning formula from the first movie. This War of the Worlds style feature with an audio twist is more sci-fi than horror, but with the family in plight scenario held a strong connection with the audience. How will this translate now that there is an absent father?
Prediction: Cillian Murphy will provide some much needed gravitas to the narrative which will be strong enough to lift the audience through with some decent ups and downs to wrench up the tension.
Apr 3 – The New Mutants
Since Disney took over Marvel operations, The New Mutants has been stuck in production, deemed a little dark for the House of Mouse questioning how to distribute it. The feature comes across as The Dream Warriors crossed with the X-Men and centres on 5 young mutants held in a secret facility against their will. It also boasts a cracking cast with Maisie Williams (Game of Thrones), Anya Taylor-Joy (The VVitch, Split), and Charlie Heaton (Stranger Things).
Prediction: Despite several delays I feel that this film is gonna connect in a big way and pull in a lot of people. It just depends on how dark Disney are willing to go with it.
Apr 17 – Antlers
Little is known about this movie other than it is based on a short story by Nick Antosca the creative mind behind the Channel Zero anthology series. The screenplay must have some potential to have caught the eye of Guillermo Del Toro and put his name down as producer.
Prediction: With Keri Russell in the cast to provide the fantasy elements in reality, this could well be the surprise hit of the year.
May 15 – Saw reboot
Currently titled The Organ Donor starring Chris Rock, Samuel L. Jackson and Max Minghella this reboot of the Saw franchise will see the return of the Jigsaw Killer, but without Tobin Bell… I think? With director Darren Lynn Bousman at the helm once more following his turn overseeing parts 2-4, he is no stranger to the world.
Prediction: Will put bums on seats for the shock gore factor alone, but will the buddy cop drama approach pay off? Time will tell.
Jun 11 – Candyman
This is gonna be a tough one to watch for me as I am such a huge fan of the original movie and like Freddy, Candyman would haunt my dreams for a long time after viewing. A lot of that has to do with the strength of Clive Barker’s short story coupled with Tony Todd’s personification of the titular character. Part of me is willing for this to be a success though as I can see room for the movie to be delivered to a modern audience using folklore and mythology at its core, and the storyline itself can transcend easily through the ages. It will be interesting to see a female perspective in director Nia DaCosta to follow Helen’s journalistic investigations.
Prediction: Jordan Peele has attached his name to this project and is clearly passionate about the story, but one can’t help but feel this is one step too far in rekindling the old flame that resides within the Candyman story.
Jul 2 – Ghostbuster: Afterlife
I know it’s technically not a horror film, but I’m including this in the mix for its nostalgic value in me the original movie paved the love of horror that I have and opened the door to many more glorious visions in the genre ever since. The original team will return in some shape or form, but primarily the film centres around a mother and her two children who set up on a farm only to discover something paranormal lurking in the town.
Prediction: Another film that will be resting on the merits of the first film, and while it’s great to see Jason Reitman take on the franchise following in his father’s footsteps, one can only hope that there will be enough comedy, horror and sci-fi to capture that old magic, but I think it will just be a glimmer rather than that sparkle.
Jul 10 – The Purge 5
Supposedly returning for the final instalment the 12 hour no holds-barred, crimefest ignited something in the movie-going audience. It has seen five feature length instalments and 2 seasons.
Prediction: More of the same, so if you’re a fan of the series, you’ll love it. I for one think the films are fun and enjoyable and it will be interesting to see how James DiMonaco will conclude things.
Jul 30 – Morbius
Sony has promised to take the Marvel universe into dark territory before with Venom and here they intend to do so again with Morbius, the Living Vampire. Jared Leto will no doubt bring the goods for the titular role and is in good company with Matt Smith, Jared Leto, and Tyrese Gibson.
Prediction: Director Daniel Espinosa provides great entertaining and solid movies, such as Safe House and Life, and I see no change here to his formula, but still question if they can go dark enough to make it compelling for horror fans.
Sep 11 – The Conjuring 3 aka The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
The Conjuring universe has progressed in leaps and bounds since its initial release in 2013. There has been the odd blips, but essentially the films continue to entertain and scare audiences. This latest film will once again see the Warrens at the centre of proceedings, this time with one of their most publicised cases that bore witness to Arne Cheyenne Johnson claiming that he was possessed when he murdered.
Prediction: Solid acting, tight storyline, but may fall down with its delivery and exposition. Unfortunately Director Michael Chaves didn’t deliver with The Curse of La Llorona, so I fear that this may end up in a similar way, but am still willing to give it a chance.
Sep 17 – Last Night In Soho
Not much known about this one, but Edgar Wright has a knack for tapping the pulse of classic films and adapting their essence for a modern audience. This time around the psychological horror is inspired by Don’t Look Now and Polanski’s Repulsion both high in my all-time favourite lists
Prediction: A killer cast in Anya Taylor-Joy, Matt Smith, Diana Rigg, and Terence Stamp, this could be the ‘big hit’ of the year.
Oct 15 – Halloween Kills
In 2018, David Gordon Green, Danny McBride and Jason Blum attempted the impossible, the resurrection of Michael Myers that would connect both fans of the original and connect with a new audience. By delving into the subject of trauma and the impact that this has on its victims, Myers became both topical and harrowing. His sheer brutality and the force in which he attacks his victims made his carnage all the more disturbing.
Prediction: The name and sheer presence of Myers will bring the audience to the screens, but can they still make him relevant? They can’t rest on the nostalgic nods this time around. It’s a fine line to walk on, for if they get it wrong, they could find their final instalment, Halloween Ends a tricky sell.
TBC – Army of the Dead
For sheer shits and giggles, and action-pumped mayhem from visual storyteller Zack Snyder, about a group of mercenaries who decide to rob a casino during a zombie outbreak, this film concludes our list.
Prediction: Starring Dave Bautista, Army of the Dead will be entertaining if nothing else. A perfect answer for those just wanting to get their kicks and not have to think too deeply.
It’s interesting how a certain film – when it ends – you know that tonally it. Has. Ended.
All films can continue of course, as happily ever after is a myth no matter how you look at it. But there are certain movies that – when they become franchised – make you not only go “why?” but “how?”. Ie: It’s original ending has a decisiveness that makes it very clear This Story Is Told.
A great example is The Matrix. If they truly intended Neo to continue being a protagonist they wouldn’t have made him Superman at the end of the first film. It was a problem that painted the Wachowski siblings into a corner for the sequels, and what’s more they never got around it. Not satisfactorily anyway. (Fortunately, they covered over that crack by making both sequels so incomprehensively bad you almost didn’t notice the pointless 10-minute fight sequences).
Another example is Insidious. The franchise that colours the letters of its logo randomly white and red. (well…if they’re not random, then they spell out INDOS SIIU – which sounds like a Star Wars character. Probably a Jedi of some sort).
At the end of the first film it pulls a now very classic/hackneyed (depending on your point-of-view) trope of having the bad guy “come back” (after being dealt with) to kill off a character when everyone thinks the terror is over.
In this case a side character who was sweet, old and psychic.
They then decided to make this character the lead in subsequent sequels – which was a problem. A problem compounded when they set movie 3 & 4 in the past, thereby making an elderly actress (Lin Shaye) play a dead woman who inexplicably looks older the younger she gets.
It would have been an easy fix had they planned it through better, but who knew that their tact to focus the sequels on the adventures of an elderly minor character would be a stroke of genius? Because Insidious is one of those rare birds that gets slightly better with each sequel.
Although a lot of its success can also be attributed to the fact that in terms of how they construct their scares, this series is an absolute masterclass in the James Wan Way. (Or JWW for short – it’s the MMA of horror film making!).
So where does this leave us with Insidious Chapter 4: The Last Key?
Setting wise we get to learn more about Shaye’s character (Elise) as it opens on her family life in 1953. It’s not a happy one. As a young girl she lives with her younger brother Christian, mother Audrey and father Gerald. Gerald is a security guard at the prison next door – the one that carries out executions of its death row inmates. Regularly. And for a budding psychic like Elise, what better way to hone her craft than being fed a steady stream of floating electrified (and terrified) souls who were more than likely NOT very nice people in life?
Things escalate when Elise encounters a being that is something other than fried convict – her first demon – who she calls Key Face.
Key Face then does something very bad that, safe to say, scars Elise for life. That is when we fast forward to present day, which – for the afore mentioned reasons above – has to be a little before present day, as Elise was (will be) killed in 2010. It’s weird that none of these characters will ever get to use an iPad. Sorta like how the best mobile phones the people in the Matrix will ever use are Motorolas…
But I digress.
Elise and her ghost busting crew of Specs and Tucker are approached by a man called Ted Garza. He resides in Elise’s former house and sure enough, weird stuff of the paranormal kind have been plaguing him of late. And Elise – in a bid to confront her demons (literally and figuratively) agrees to go back and help him sort it out.
As a ride The Last Key twists in a satisfactory way whilst continuing the fine work of the last 2 sequels. The scares are finely crafted and (to differentiate them) a tad more relentless this time round.
The JWW use of shadows and sound effects are on full display here, and (has been the case with the others) this film ties itself into the first one, although this time it does imply that the series MAY be gearing up for another change in direction. How? One word. Nieces.
And officially a 5th Insidious IS in the works, although it may not have creator Leigh Whannell’s hand on the typewriter. (Mind you, if you were responsible for a 4-film franchise that has grossed over $536 million to date, you too could probably afford to delegate a little).
The Diagnosis:
Certainly The Last Key was able to unlock a profit margin well over 10 times its modest budget of 10 million, and if you can read anything into that, it would be that these guys have the keys to a money making kingdom that is… INDOS SIIU.
THIS WEEK’S FLASHBACK Friday continues the James Wan theme in recognition of his current movie, The Conjuring 2 in cinemas as we write this article.
Dead Silence would see Wan collaborate once again with Saw co-creator, Leigh Whannel and would be his second feature in the director’s chair.
There would also be the all too familiar signatures that Wan brings to the screen, the obvious one in this instance would be in the puppetry, substituting Jigsaw for Billy, but let’s not forget his strong use of light and shadows combined with the strong build up of tension to play on the minds of the viewer.
Whilst still not his strongest movie, there are some delights to have along the way as he harnesses his skills and sharpens his tools in order to bring some more than adequate scares along the way.
Starring True Blood’s Ryan Kwanten as Jamie, who at the head of the film loses his wife in a brutal attack by the afore-mentioned doll, Billy.
This leads Jamie to venture homeward bound where he unearths the grisly truth of her 101 dolls.
A must-see for horror fans and a director at the start of what would be an impressive upward trajectory into the bloody genre and putting out all the stops to make this a confident if not perfect psychological thriller.
Surgeons of Horror 