An uneven attempt at infusing grounded emotional depth into the classic monster, Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man makes for just a ho-hum adaptation. While I can appreciate the injection of domestic drama into the horror story, the poorly written script fails to evoke the emotional resonance needed to make its familial themes truly impactful. The film’s tone is also too dour and bleak, creating a sense of detachment that prevents the audience from fully engaging. Yes, it’s meant to be modernized and overall grounded, but it’s evident they took things a little too seriously. That said, the performances are solid, with Christopher Abbott particularly standing out with a visceral portrayal of his character's transformation. The practical effects shine as well, giving an extra layer of creepiness when it comes to the body horror. Speaking of creepy, the remote wilderness setting further enhances the eerie atmosphere, delivering a strong sense of dread (in the film's first half, anyways). Unfortunately, the tension and chills built early on begin to unravel in the movie's third act, this thanks to a succumbing of predictability and clichés. While it doesn't quite reach the terrifyingly sharp heights of Whannell's Invisible Man reboot, Wolf Man proves he has the right vision to reimagine these classic monsters for a contemporary audience. Hopefully, the next installment strikes a better, more meaningful balance between the scares and emotional themes.