Robert Eggers is diving back into folk horror with Werwulf, his next project following the success of Nosferatu. And according to Willem Dafoe, one of the actors who has already seen the finished film, it is a project that radically distances itself from what cinema usually tells us about werewolves.
Interest in this production is growing as its release, scheduled for late 2026, approaches. The first impressions from someone as close to the project as Dafoe, who has collaborated with Eggers several times, provide clues about the tone and ambition of this new horror film.
Willem Dafoe asserts that Werwulf does not follow the genre’s usual paths
In an interview with JustWatch, Willem Dafoe spoke about his experience watching Werwulf and was clear in pointing out that the film departs from horror movie conventions.
The actor described it as dark and unsettling, placing it within the natural evolution of Eggers' work, which he considers increasingly solid. Dafoe avoided going into details to avoid spoilers, but insisted that Werwulf does not rely on the traditional clichés associated with werewolf stories, despite what its title might suggest.
The actor also acknowledged that, although he usually avoids judging his own work, in this case, he wanted to convey genuine enthusiasm, calling the film beautiful and powerful.
It is striking that Dafoe insists on the beauty of a story that Eggers himself has described as the darkest he has written to date. That contrast seems to be precisely part of the appeal of Werwulf: it does not seek another spectacular transformation under the full moon, but rather a more uncomfortable and primitive look at the myth.
Robert Eggers travels to the Middle Ages to reinvent the werewolf myth
After reinterpreting the figure of the vampire in Nosferatu, Eggers now turns his gaze to medieval England. The script for Werwulf, written with Sjón, uses Middle English, a historical form of the language intended to reinforce the atmosphere of the era.
This is an unusual decision for a horror production aimed at a general audience, but it is consistent with the style of a director known for his historical and aesthetic rigor. Eggers himself has defined Werwulf as, by far, the darkest thing he has written so far.
A story of curse, guilt, and survival
The plot is set in 1305 England and follows a mute peasant, scarred by a childhood trauma, who tries to maintain a quiet life with his family. However, he carries a curse: every full moon, he transforms into a murderous werewolf.
The arrival of a hunting party sent by the king to eliminate the wolves in the region complicates his situation even further, forcing him to hide his condition while trying to protect his own and preserve what remains of his humanity.
This premise helps to understand Dafoe's words. The physical transformation is still present, but the true conflict seems to lie in the guilt, the fear of condemnation, and the terror of becoming what the protagonist himself despises.
A cast that returns after Nosferatu
Robert Eggers is once again working with actors who already know his particular way of working. Aaron Taylor-Johnson leads the cast of Werwulf alongside Lily-Rose Depp and Willem Dafoe. Ralph Ineson, a frequent collaborator of the director, also participates.
The return of a large part of the team that brought Nosferatu to life is significant. In that film, Eggers proved that it was possible to bring unease back to a monster as recognizable as the vampire without relying on cheap scares. Now he seeks to repeat that formula with the werewolf.
Werwulf release date
Werwulf will hit US theaters on December 25, 2026, while in other countries, including Spain, its release is scheduled for January 8, 2027.
Eggers' challenge is immense: after decades of werewolves in cinema, from tragic versions to the most spectacular ones, the real challenge is no longer to surprise with the transformation, but to make the viewer feel afraid of what is hidden behind it again.
Frequently asked questions about Werwulf
Who is directing Werwulf?
Werwulf is directed by Robert Eggers, who is also responsible for Nosferatu, and co-written with Sjón.
Who are the stars of Werwulf?
The cast is led by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, along with Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe, and Ralph Ineson.
What is Werwulf about?
The film follows a mute peasant in 1305 England who, marked by a curse, transforms into a werewolf every full moon while trying to protect his family from a royal hunting party.
When is Werwulf released?
Werwulf will be released in the United States on December 25, 2026, and in other countries, such as Spain, on January 8, 2027.
Why is Werwulf considered different from other werewolf movies?
According to Willem Dafoe, the film avoids traditional genre clichés and opts for a dark, unsettling tone that is far from conventional horror, in line with Robert Eggers' usual style.
What language is used in the Werwulf script?
The script uses Middle English, a historical form of the language, to reinforce the story's medieval setting.
