Wolf Mandirector Leigh Whannell has revealed which ’80s body horror movie inspired the upcoming monster movie’s terrifying werewolf transformations. TheupcomingWolf Manremakefocuses on a family consisting of Blake (Christopher Abbott), his wife Charlotte (Julia Garner), and their daughter Ginger (Matilda Firth) who become isolated in a rural home after being attacked by a monster. This turns out to be a werewolf, who infected Blake, causing him to slowly shapeshift into the beast under the light of the full moon.
Speaking withEmpire, Whannell explained howthe 1986 body horror movieThe Flywas a key inspiration for Blake’s upcoming transformation sequence inWolf Man. The director said the terrifying elements of the ’80s film also emphasized the tragedy of the situation, something he also wanted to emphasize with how Blake and his family confront what’s happening. Check out what Whannell had to say about the transformation sequences below:
What The Fly did that a lot of other practical-effects-driven horror movies from that time did not do was bring the tragedy out of these practical effects. It wasn’t a joke in The Fly. It was there to illustrate someone who was dying of an illness. I was like, ‘I’ve got to do that.' It’s not about being funny or icky or gory. This is about the tragedy of the human body falling apart.
What Whannell’s The Fly Inspiration Means For Wolf Man
The Movies Will Both Express Tragedy In Their Horror
The 1986 movie focused on scientist Seth Brundle (Jeff Goldblum) accidentally infusing himself with fly DNA while testing a teleportation device he’d created. As the film progresses, he begins transforming into a more monstrous creature, until he mutates into a large humanoid that’s more fly than man by the end of the movie. Since thecast ofWolf Manwill see a family isolated from the outside world as one slowly starts to become a monster,the film has ample opportunity to play into the tragedy of the situation.
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SinceWhannell citedThe Flyas inspiration because of its tragedy, that same approach will no doubt be reflected in how the werewolf movie plays out. As the first2025 Blumhouse horror movie, the film can offer a good impression of what follows if it adheres to the elements its director is praising. Even though it’s unclear what events will unfold in the movie, the idea of a werewolf film focused on family tragedy makes it unique, creating a monster that is more sad than scary.
Our Take On Wolf Man Pulling Inspiration From The Fly
It Teases Many Layers Of Terror
SinceThe Flywill serve as a major inspiration forWolf Man, the movie’s horror can be layered in tragedy, making the events intense for both Blake’s family and himself. This no doubt means plenty of emotional moments that carry a horrific weight to them, as the family hurtles toward inevitably losing one of their own. With the movie coming out at the start of 2025, it won’t be long until the true influence the ’80s movie had is on fully display.
Wolf Man
Cast
Wolf Man, released on June 18, 2025, follows Blake and his wife Charlotte as they visit his secluded childhood home in rural Oregon. After a mysterious animal attack, they become trapped inside, and Charlotte is forced to confront Blake’s disturbing transformation amidst growing tension and fear.
