Overview: Leigh Whannell brings a dark new twist to one of Universal’s most iconic monsters in WOLF MAN, available to own or rent on Digital February 4th, 2025 and on 4K UHD, Blu-ray and DVD March 18th, 2025 from Blumhouse (The Black Phone, Halloween franchise) and Universal Pictures Home Entertainment.

From Blumhouse and the director of The Invisible Man comes a modern take on the classic monster story, WOLF MAN. Seeking a fresh start, Blake moves his wife Charlotte and daughter Ginger to his childhood home in rural Oregon. Upon arrival, they encounter a brutal animal attack, forcing the family to barricade themselves inside the house as an unseen creature prowls the perimeter.

As the night wears on, Blake’s injuries worsen, and his bizarre behavior turns monstrous. To protect her daughter, Charlotte must decide whether to confront the danger outside or the growing horror within.

4K UHD Blu-ray Verdict: Universal Pictures is expanding their 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray catalog offerings this month with the release of the highly-anticipated Wolf Man (4K Ultra HD + Digital) in the expansive 4K Ultra HD video format this March 18th, 2025.

For my money, this Wolf Man (4K Ultra HD + Digital) sharpness takes a fairly large step forward from others in their 4K Ultra HD catalog and even comes with HDR (High Dynamic Range) for the complete 4K Ultra HD experience, of course.

So, what we have is Wolf Man presented to us as a one-disc with a sheet for a Digital HD Copy. Codec: HEVC / H.265, Resolution: 4K (2160p), HDR: HDR10 and Original aspect ratio: 2.39:1.

Featuring Dolby Vision and HDR10 for brighter, deeper, and way more lifelike colors, as with most all 4K UHDs, everything that we watch features these qualities - but somehow, this film gloriously shines within them all.

Noticeably crisp with the overall clarity receiving an obvious boost here on this release, what is more is that it is enjoyably noticeable. For as well as some new nuances to the somewhat drab palette courtesy of Dolby Vision, we also get to witness sudden bright pops of color, which makes the eyes draw in, for sure.

One of those moments is the werewolf fight between Blake and the other creature and is therefore one of the more brutal sequences in the film, blending together intense action with a clue towards the true brutality of the creatures. While Blake has been transforming for a while by this point in the film, he’s remained largely in control of himself. Even flashes of his rage are tempered by the character pulling back and trying to leave his family alone. However, this creates an opening for the other werewolf to blindside him, setting up a brutal fight in the house.

Also, while many elements of Blake’s transformation into a werewolf are scary throughout Wolf Man, the most frightening examples of this in the entire film comes after Blake murders his father. Retreating outside, Blake’s transformation goes further as he loses his fingernails, dislocates his jaw, and morphs under his own skin into a new, more animalistic state. This is arguably the most memorable moment in the entire movie, an example of classic body horror brought to unnerving life.

As for the audio, well we get the choice of: English: Dolby Atmos, English: Dolby TrueHD 7.1 (48kHz, 24-bit), French: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 and Spanish: Dolby Digital Plus 7.1.

Overall, this is a very strong 4K HDR Blu-ray presentation, and, for the most part, the audio track remains fairly similar to its DTS-HD counterpart; with much of the action occupying the surrounds with outstanding directionality and placement where effects flawlessly pan between the sides and rears.

As for the film itself, well, Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man delivers a compelling and visually arresting revival of Universal’s iconic monster. Known for his work in The Invisible Man, Whannell once again proves he understands how to reinvent classic tales with a modern touch, making Wolf Man a solid addition to Universal’s modern monster universe.

The cast shines throughout. Julia Garner, already stellar in Ozark, cements herself as a scream queen with her captivating performance. Her character’s vulnerability and determination ground the supernatural events in emotional reality. Christopher Abbott, tasked with portraying Blake’s transformation into the Wolf Man, brings a raw physicality to the role, delivering both emotional depth and visceral intensity.

His transformation scenes are one of the movie’s highlights, visually stunning and steeped in tension. The attention to the sound design during the transformation adds a deeply unsettling layer, making the process feel almost tangible.

Special praise goes to Matilda Firth, whose natural performance stands out. Despite being a younger actress, she avoids overacting and brings an authentic charm to her role. Her ability to convey emotion with subtlety makes her one of the film’s quieter yet more impactful presences.

One of the most inventive aspects of the movie is its approach to the werewolf howl. Whannell avoids the trope of the stereotypical wolf cry and instead delivers a howl that’s unique-haunting and primal in its originality. The score, composed with precision, complements the atmosphere perfectly, ratcheting up the tension in key moments without ever overwhelming the visuals.

However, not all elements land as well. The film attempts to add layers of sentimentality by revisiting locations and scenes. While this works in some instances to create emotional resonance, at times it feels forced, disrupting the film’s otherwise steady pacing. When these moments hit subtly, they add depth, but when overemphasized, they can feel a bit heavy-handed.

Overall, Wolf Man is a worthy successor to Whannell’s The Invisible Man, proving that Universal can still breathe new life into their monster catalog. The film demonstrates how classic tales can be modernized without losing their haunting allure. It’s also a strong reminder of what The Mummy reboot in 2017 failed to accomplish - a story that’s intimate, personal, and truly terrifying.

For fans of psychological horror and gripping monster reimaginings, Wolf Man is a howl worth hearing!

BONUS FEATURES on DIGITAL, 4K UHD, BLU-RAYTM AND DVD:
UNLEASHING A NEW MONSTER – Explore Leigh Whannell’s dark and gritty take on one of horror’s most iconic monsters. Learn what inspired the visionary director to create this tragic tale of family, loss, and a night of absolute terror
DESIGNING WOLF MAN – Director Leigh Whannell and prosthetic designer Arjen Tuiten, set out to create a Wolf Man unlike any seen before. Take a closer look at the conceptual designs, sculptures and prosthetic make-up that aided in the creation of a monster that stays with you long after the credits roll
HANDS ON HORROR – Strap in for a breakdown of the film’s most thrilling action sequences. Cast and crew discuss how practical effects enabled them to capture raw and realistic performances of the most terrifying, heart-pounding scenes in the film
NIGHTMARES AND SOUNDSCAPES – Transition into Blake’s perspective and witness the world through the eyes of an animal. Learn how sound design and VFX came together to highlight the enhanced hearing, vision, and complete abandonment of humanity that materialized during the transformation from Man to Wolf
FEATURE COMMENTARY WITH DIRECTOR/CO-WRITER LEIGH WHANNELL

WOLF MAN contains over 30 minutes of behind-the-scenes content, including a peek at the terrifying Wolf Man transformation, breakdowns of the gnarly action & scares scenes throughout the film, and much more! WOLF MAN is directed by horror-acclaimed filmmaker Leigh Whannell, and stars Christopher Abbott (Poor Things, It Comes At Night), Julia Garner (“Ozark”, “Inventing Anna”), Sam Jaeger (“The Handmaid’s Tale”), Matilda Firth (“Hullraisers”), Ben Prendergast (“The Sojourn Audio Drama”) and Benedict Hardie (The Invisible Man).

Wolfman | Official Trailer | Universal Pictures

Official Wolfman Website