The first official trailer for Robert Eggers’ new horror movie Werwulf has arrived, giving audiences a look at his latest dark vision. The movie is a period horror story set in 13th-century England that aims to completely reimagine werewolf mythology.
What Makes This Werewolf Movie Different
Director Robert Eggers, known for The Witch, The Lighthouse, and last year’s Nosferatu, is taking the werewolf legend back to its roots. He is intentionally ignoring many modern ideas about werewolves that audiences have come to expect.
Robert Eggers explained that by setting the film in the distant past, he could “hit a reset button” on the creature’s lore. He pointed out that popular clichés like being bitten to transform and using silver bullets do not exist in this movie’s world.
The movie is set around the year 1300. Eggers chose this period because it was the latest possible time wolves still lived in England. He mentioned that after wolves were wiped out from the country, the local werewolf stories also disappeared. This historical accuracy is a trademark of his filmmaking style.
The Cast and Story
The film stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as the lead character, a farmer who is cursed and trying to find salvation through love. This role reunites him with Eggers after their work on Nosferatu.
The cast also includes several other actors from Nosferatu. Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe, and Ralph Ineson are all part of the film. Willem Dafoe plays a hunter in the movie who is trying to stop the curse. Newcomer Bodhi Rae Breathnach is also in the cast.
Eggers has described Werwulf as “the darkest thing I’ve ever written, by far”. The official synopsis calls it “a harrowing tale of devotion, damnation, and the devil within”.
The Visual Style and Trailer
The trailer shows the film’s signature grim and gritty visual style. It was shot on 35mm film with a grainy look, giving it a dark and weathered appearance. Eggers is known for using a 4:3 aspect ratio, which is also present in the trailer.
The footage is filled with mud and dread, creating a world that feels worn down and dangerous. The director is holding back from fully showing the werewolf, only giving brief glimpses of the creature. This approach makes the monster feel more terrifying.
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Release Date and What to Expect
Werwulf is scheduled to hit theaters on December 25, 2026. This release date mirrors the successful Christmas launch of Nosferatu, which became Eggers’ highest-grossing movie with over $181 million worldwide.
The film is written by Eggers and his The Northman co-writer, Sjón. Focus Features, which has produced all of Eggers’ films, is behind the project. Chris and Eleanor Columbus are serving as executive producers.
