The First Trailer for Robert Eggers’ WERWULF Has Emerged From the Shadows
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Phil Roberts 
Aaron Taylor-Johnson becomes the victim of the curse of the werewolf in the gritty first trailer for Roberts Eggers’ WERWULF.
Get ready, horror fans, because Universal Pictures has just dropped the first trailer for Robert Eggers’ WERWULF. We’ve known for some time that the studio was reopening the Universal Monsters vault for a new generation of filmmakers to revive the classic monsters contained within its hallowed walls, and so far the results have been exceptional.
The first filmmaker to play in the sandbox was Robert Eggers. Fresh from his success with The Northman, the director followed up with a hauntingly atmospheric reimagining of the classic Nosferatu tale. Bathed in a bleak, desaturated palette and steeped in dread, the film captivated audiences with its oppressive gothic atmosphere and striking visual style.
Now, Eggers is once again delving into dark folklore with his latest project, WERWULF. The filmmaker’s upcoming horror epic reimagines the enduring werewolf legend and has already been described as Eggers’ darkest screenplay to date. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson as a farmer cursed with lycanthropy, the film promises a chilling blend of historical authenticity, psychological terror, and savage horror. Check out the trailer below.
SYNOPSIS
Witness Robert Eggers’ most visceral and haunting experience yet. Universal Pictures and Focus Features presents WERWULF, a harrowing tale of devotion, damnation and the devil within.
CURSED
With WERWULF, Eggers is reuniting with several stars from Nosferatu, including Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Lily-Rose Depp. Eggers’ regular Willem Dafoe is also back for the ride, alongside another frequent collaborator, Ralph Ineson. Joining them is rising star Bodhi Rae Breathnach, who has been gaining attention for roles in films such as Hamnet and Shelter. (Read our exclusive interview with Breathnach here.) Taylor-Johnson leads the film as a farmer afflicted by the werewolf curse, while Depp plays his wife. Breathnach stars as the couple’s young daughter, and Dafoe plays a seasoned wildlife hunter who becomes entangled in the family’s terrifying ordeal.
Eggers has co-written the film with his regular collaborator Sjón, who previously helped scribe The Northman. Eggers and Sjón are also producing Werwulf with Focus Features/Universal Pictures. Chris and Eleanor Columbus, who worked with Eggers on Nosferatu, will serve as executive producers.
RELEASE
What a phenomenal first trailer. Eggers has firmly established himself as one of modern horror’s most distinctive voices, and WERWULF looks set to continue that streak. While the film was originally rumored to be shot in black and white, those plans ultimately didn’t come to fruition.
Even so, Eggers has preserved the film’s period authenticity through historically accurate dialogue, helping immerse viewers in its dark medieval world. And for anyone unfamiliar with Old English, there’s no need to worry—WERWULF includes translations and annotations to make the dialogue accessible without losing its unique flavor.
Considering how the trailer turned out, fans of the director can look forward to another dark and twisted descent into terror when the film hits cinemas worldwide. Fans in the United States can look forward to the film hitting their screens on Christmas Day. UK fans can explore the legend of the werewolf on New Year’s Day.
Do not dread the darkness. Embrace it.
Meet Phil Roberts! He’s the dedicated owner, daily content manager, and editor-in-chief of The Future of the Force. Phil is a budding novelist who turned his passion toward writing about the franchises he loves back in 2016. He’s a huge fan of all things Star Wars, Batman, DC, Marvel, Star Trek, Indiana Jones, Ghostbusters, King Kong, and the Ray Harryhausen movies. Phil is a BFI-accredited journalist and a distinguished member of the Film Critics Association UK.
If he’s not catching a movie at the cinema, you can bet he’s streaming something just as awesome!
