Wolf Manframes its horror story as a tragic romance, but a different werewolf movie already did that much more effectively — despite being a tongue-in-cheek parody of the genre. Christopher Abbott stars intheWolf Mancastas Blake Lovell, a loving husband and father who gets scratched by a werewolf and gradually transforms into a bloodthirsty monster while holing up with his family on an isolated farm. Likethe previousWolf Manmovies, this reboot tells its werewolf tale through the lens of a doomed love story.
Unfortunately, asWolf Man’s mixed reviewswould suggest, it doesn’t work nearly as well as its predecessors. The characters are one-dimensional, the drama doesn’t land, it’s not very scary, and the werewolf design is disappointing after all the build-up. But there is a great werewolf movie out there that has three-dimensional characters, terrifying scares, compelling drama, and an unforgettable werewolf design — and it’s primarily a spoof of werewolf movies.
An American Werewolf In London Is More Effective As A Tragic Werewolf Love Story Than Wolf Man
An American Werewolf In London Is A Great Comedy, But It’s Also A Great Horror Movie & Romantic Drama
Thanks to an underdeveloped script and a lack of chemistry between the lead actors,Wolf Man’s tragic romance doesn’t work. Thankfully, there is a werewolf movie out there that tells a tragic werewolf love story perfectly.John Landis’An American Werewolf in Londonmay have been conceived as a satire of werewolf films, but it also works beautifully as a straightforward horror movie— and a drama. The love story between David Kessler, an American tourist recovering from a werewolf attack (and soon to become one), and his nurse, Alex Price, is much more convincing thanWolf Man’s boring love story.
An American Werewolf In London’s Lore: Werewolf Bite Effect, Death Curse & Bloodline Explained
1981’s An American Werewolf in London is one of the greatest (and funniest) werewolf movies ever made. But how does its werewolf lore work?
The ending ofWolf Manis awfully similar to the ending ofAn American Werewolf in London. In both cases, the werewolf shows a glimmer of recognition as they gaze at the woman they love before being shot dead. The difference is thatAn American Werewolf in Londonput in the time to develop the couple’s relationship and build chemistry between them, sotheir tragic ending hits hard.Wolf Man’s couple has no chemistry, so their tragic ending isn’t so tragic.
An American Werewolf In London Might Be The Greatest Werewolf Movie Ever Made (Despite Being A Parody Of Them)
An American Werewolf In London Puts All Other Werewolf Movies To Shame
Despite being a parody of werewolf movies,An American Werewolf in Londonjust might be the greatest werewolf movie ever made. It’s similar to howShaun of the Deadis a spoof of zombie movies that happens to be one of the best zombie movies of all time.An American Werewolf in Londonhasan unnerving atmosphere, relatable character dynamics, and a perfectly paced narrative. Plus, thanks to the great Rick Baker, it has the most breathtaking werewolf transformation sequence ever committed to film. It puts all other werewolf movies — includingWolf Man— to shame.
An American Werewolf In London
Cast
An American Werewolf in London centers on two American college students who are attacked by a werewolf while traveling in London, England. David Kessler survives the attack but is haunted by visions of his friend Jack, who explains how dangerous David has become after the violent attack. The John Landis-directed film stars David Naughton and Jenny Agutter.
