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The Wolf Man
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The Wolf Man

1941
Drama
Fantasy
1h 10m
A practical man returns to his homeland, is attacked by a creature of folklore, and imbued with a malady his disciplined mind tells him can not possibly exist. (imdb)
Directed by:
George Waggner
Written by:
Curt Siodmak
Starring:
Claude Rains Claude Rains Patric Knowles Patric Knowles Lon Chaney Jr. Lon Chaney Jr. Ralph Bellamy Ralph Bellamy Bela Lugosi Bela Lugosi Warren William Warren William Maria Ouspenskaya Maria Ouspenskaya Evelyn Ankers J.M. Kerrigan J.M. Kerrigan
More
Franchise:
The Wolf Man
Genres:
Drama, Fantasy, Horror
Country:
USA
Language:
English
imdb More information at IMDb
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The Wolf Man

1941
Drama
Fantasy
1h 10m
Your probable score
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer
Avg Percentile 53.6% from 777 total ratings
Ratings & Reviews Cast Collections Similar Stats Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

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beedubBeeDub
Rated 01 Sep 2023
85
63rd
Not remotely scary, but competently made and acted. The tragedy of the werewolf curse turning the hero into a reluctant villain helps distinguish this movie from its contemporary peers.
Rated 01 Sep 2023
paxtonPaxton
Rated 09 Aug 2012
78
85th
John Landis likes to point out the ridiculousness of a werewolf strangling people to death. I like to point out his doing so.
Rated 09 Aug 2012
djrossdjross
Rated 20 Dec 2020
60
62nd
A man with longstanding repressed hostility towards his father finds himself falling prey to increasing homicidal tendencies, leading to suicidal guilt. Despite the explicitly psychoanalytic theme, the idea itself is a little more pedestrian than was the case in THE INVISIBLE MAN or BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN, but at least we can say that, as far as old supernaturally-inclined women are concerned, Maria Ouspenskaya is a vast improvement over Una O'Connor. Really, the Stanislavskian stole the show.
Rated 20 Dec 2020
bofbof
Rated 25 Feb 2020
67
53rd
Chaney Jr doesn't have the personality of his fellow monsters, he's basically just an overgrown teenager with some fairly creepy pick-up lines. That said, the movie looks gorgeous and you couldn't make up an entire mythology and have people believe it was always there if the film didn't work on some fairly fundamental level. Awooo.
Rated 25 Feb 2020
tonytheponyTonythePony
Rated 24 Aug 2009
65
42nd
Mildly entertaining with strong production for a creature feature, but the Wolf Man character doesn't really hold my interest. Rains and Ouspenskaya provide more credibility than the script deserves, Chaney though is thoroughly unconvincing in portraying his emotional struggle.
Rated 24 Aug 2009
obdurateObdurate
Rated 23 Oct 2018
80
67th
The romance is ham-fisted and the ending was even a little too abrupt. Larry.. the end. I still really liked it though. The atmosphere was pretty spot on the entire time, the film doesn't overstay its welcome because of its short runtime, and it still looks quite good as a whole today. I mean, we can make werewolves look better now but this was '41 so it's pretty impressive. I wish this was scarier and the script went deeper because there's so much potential for both of those things.
Rated 23 Oct 2018
joseywalesjoseywales
Rated 29 Oct 2008
78
82nd
Wolfman's got nards!
Rated 29 Oct 2008
billyshearsBillyShears
Rated 30 Oct 2014
60
34th
70 minute run time = "Oh my god this is taking forever to do anything ... oh it's over"
Rated 30 Oct 2014
terrymacterrymac
Rated 11 Jan 2017
74
68th
A bit tame by today's standards, but enjoyable nonetheless, and well made. Lon Chaney Jr would have made a great Ronnie and/or Reggie Kray, but doesn't feel quite right here. All the old Universal monster flicks seem to be decent.
Rated 11 Jan 2017
billkerwinbillkerwin
Rated 21 May 2011
78
35th
It is well paced, atmospheric--good photography and great use of the fog machine!--but Chaney is miscast as the expatriate son of English aristocrat Rains. Though Chaney is a great Wolf Man--a simple, good-natured fellow who blunders through social interactions and is beyond his depth when confronted with an ancient curse--he doesn't match up with the character Siodmak wrote. (Re-write: Chaney as a self-made U.S. tycoon). The special effects show their age, and the ending seems rushed.
Rated 21 May 2011
troothTrooth
Rated 17 Jun 2019
67
43rd
The wolfman was kind of an asshole even before he was a werewolf. He peeps on some lady's bedroom through a telescope, then basically stalks her and hits on her while she's at work. And he keeps on, even after learning she's engaged. But even weirder to me is that this is portrayed as a kind of tragic forbidden romance between them, and not like him just being a scumbag.
Rated 17 Jun 2019
alex_watkinsAlex Watkins
Rated 17 Jan 2011
3
38th
Very atmospheric, with some fantastic photography (especially the scenes in the marsh at night, with the moonlit fog shrouding the trees). Rains is always a joy, Chaney is a bit of a goof but the creature design is strong. Enjoyable.
Rated 17 Jan 2011
trixrabbiTrixRabbi
Rated 11 May 2013
82
78th
"There's something incredibly tragic about that man."
Rated 11 May 2013
dyannethorneDyanneThorne
Rated 08 Aug 2015
60
46th
In the series of me watching old horror movies and being unimpressed we have now reached The Wolf Man. And it was ... okay? I guess? It has a lot of pathos and atmosphere but suffers from wooden acting, dated effects and a complete absence of humour. Works best if you watch it as a tragedy about a man doomed by fate. At least it's short.
Rated 08 Aug 2015
doyler29doyler29
Rated 25 Mar 2021
80
68th
It's a decent horror film that I have difficulty taking seriously. Rains doesn't convince and Chaney's dad (unless his mother was 7 feet tall), the damn poem pops up a few too many times for me and I can't help wondering why Bela turns into a wolf, but Chaney turns into a wolf-dude. It's a lot of fun, but not even as good as it's first sequel.
Rated 25 Mar 2021
icarusIcarus
Rated 12 Oct 2009
60
26th
Not as good as I would have hoped. Claude Rains is always watchable, but Lon Chaney in the lead seems over matched by the material. And while the narrative is an interesting, if simple, one, it's execution leaves nothing to mystery, thus sapping its power to really make an emotional impact. However, having just seen Gran Torino this weekend, I must admit to seeing a distinct similarity between Wolf Man and Clint Eastwood's character there. Grrr.
Rated 12 Oct 2009
punqPUNQ
Rated 20 Jun 2017
70
96th
Weird trying to take Lon Chaney Jr. as a slick ladiesman. Actually he came across more of a predator without getting bitten a wolf! But naturally The Wolf Man (1941) is classic Universal horror! I can't put in plainer than Chaney Jr. giving the monster it's soul.
Rated 20 Jun 2017
damildamil
Rated 22 Dec 2012
70
67th
It wasn't quite what I expected, but it was good. I think the old Universal monster movies are pretty cool, and this one was no exception. It's not in the same league as Dracula (1931) or Frankenstein (1931), but you've gotta love those forest scenes with the dark trees and rolling fog. It's a rather short film, but it did still manage to drag a couple of times, unfortunately.
Rated 22 Dec 2012
gemteagemtea
Rated 03 Sep 2012
90
83rd
Atmospheric, creepy, implied horror style that kept me rapt with attention as the story gradually unfolded. Today most people want everything to hit them at once. To hell with exposition and plot development. Refreshing to go back and visit this classic. This, like the Frankenstein films made Universal champions of the genre. RKO on small budget performed miracles in Val Lew productions using the idea of what is unseen can be just as scary. Although Universal,this had a similar feel to it for me
Rated 03 Sep 2012
indyatmnINDYATMN
Rated 26 Apr 2011
67
20th
It's not just the can't-b-helped chintzy efx that keep this from aging well. It's the lack of follow through on some intriguing ideas, specifically the social-class love triangle btwn Gwen, Talbot & her fiance (Talbot's dad is his boss), which has a depth that should've been explored not ignored. There's also some great subtext suggesting that Talbot & Gwen r being punished 4 inappropriate behavior, which briefly bursts through when the elderly women chide Gwen, only 2 virtually disappear again.
Rated 26 Apr 2011
suture_selfSuture Self
Rated 04 Nov 2013
6
54th
Takes about 40 minutes of rising action until the film starts to go anywhere, but from that point on it's enjoyable.
Rated 04 Nov 2013
valenzettiValenzetti
Rated 05 Oct 2011
84
68th
It draws a dreamy, enveloping sense of dread from its misty woods and psychological turmoil, such that Claude Rains' assault with the cane at the end of the film feels repulsively brutal despite never showing a thing.
Rated 05 Oct 2011
blayzeblayze
Rated 22 Apr 2007
90
92nd
Retrospectively speaking it's a story of mental illness with elements of a Greek tragedy.
Rated 22 Apr 2007
overratedoverrated
Rated 23 Oct 2021
27
18th
Sorry but this is outright bad, the only reason the score isn't lower is because of the presence of Claude Rains. Chaney doesn't have the magnetism of Lugosi or Karloff (or for that matter Rains' voice in The Invisible Man), and the werewolf make up is giggle-inducing. Also the romance plot makes Chaney come off as a proto-incel rather than a tragic figure.
Rated 23 Oct 2021
peaceanarchyPeaceAnarchy
Rated 06 Mar 2011
81
64th
Enjoyable, atmospheric and, while it doesn't do a whole lot with its premise, what it does it does well.
Rated 06 Mar 2011
davekehrdavekehr
Rated 08 Mar 2009
4
0th
"A stodgy Universal thriller."
Rated 08 Mar 2009
sebbysebby
Rated 08 Oct 2011
40
15th
Almost no entertainment value. There are no scares, no laughs, nothing. Blah.
Rated 08 Oct 2011
petrostserPetrosTser
Rated 29 Aug 2022
40
11th
Dude preys on Gwen with more persistence and creepiness as a man than as a werewolf. Seriously, what a sleazebag. That aside, "The Wolf Man" never gets off the ground. The plot is simplistic, Lon Chaney Jr. is an underwhelming protagonist, especially lacking in his dramatic scenes of realization, the make-up is sadly unable to be much more than ridiculous, Gwen's character is all over the place and the tragedy of Larry's situation never really gets through, wasting the potential the story had.
Rated 29 Aug 2022
bzymusbzymus
Rated 29 Jan 2024
69
36th
audiovisual 74 acting 68 overall feeling 66 avg 69
Rated 29 Jan 2024
mwgerbmwgerb
Rated 02 Mar 2012
55
53rd
It's not very engaging initially, and the production values fail to hold up today. However, the classic monster movie aesthetic is still enjoyable, the fog-filled scenery is quite atmospheric, and Claude and Maria deliver excellent performances, especially in the thrilling conclusion. If only other parts of the movie had managed to be thrilling, I would have rated it higher.
Rated 02 Mar 2012
hotsakehotsake
Rated 14 Jul 2012
75
85th
Talbot is an ass before he gets bitten but once that happens the movie gets good.
Rated 14 Jul 2012
yiannosYiannos
Rated 02 Aug 2014
60
48th
Not the greatest of the classic Universal monsters films, but it manages to convince us that its werewolf mythology is derived from an older, more superstitious culture, when it was in fact invented entirely by the screenwriter. The studio bound atmosphere of rolling fog and misty woods is gripping, while the transformation implies a curious psychological dimension. Chaney Jnr works in the lead role, but the pacing is sluggish, much to its detriment.
Rated 02 Aug 2014
luna6ixLuna6ix
Rated 13 Aug 2011
63
19th
I couldn't get into it, it was waaaay too slow moving and didn't have enough Wolf Man in it. This movie falls into the same category as "The Mummy": only viable because of it's legacy rather than it's quality.
Rated 13 Aug 2011
braddad68braddad68
Rated 30 Apr 2013
95
84th
While still a classic monster movie, on reviewing this one again, I had some mild criticism. I thought the casting of Rains and Chaney as father and son was odd and wanted more wolf man. He doesn't show up until late in the movie.
Rated 30 Apr 2013
talonmalontalonmalon
Rated 09 Oct 2012
81
60th
With the beginning of the 40s, Universal found another success. The Wolf Man is a great movie. This movie lacks a good werewolf transformation, as well as a shot of the full moon. But seeing the wolf creeping through the forest, filled with fog, you can't help but be pleased. And Lon Chaney Jr.'s performance only pushes this movie even further.
Rated 09 Oct 2012
stainStain
Rated 30 Mar 2007
80
68th
Far from a masterpiece but a consistently entertaining movie. Curt Siodmak basically set the "rules" for the entire werewolf subgenre with this one. Lon Chaney is great as usual
Rated 30 Mar 2007
mistakesMistakes
Rated 22 Apr 2010
49
47th
Mistakes - 1) When Larry is attacked by the werewolf Bella, there are two shots when they are behind a tree when he is actually fighting a man. 2) When Larry is talking to Gwen while Jenny is being told her future by the gypsy, he removes his hand from the tree, but the shot later he is still leaning against it.
Rated 22 Apr 2010
lonewolf2003Lonewolf2003
Rated 03 Apr 2019
68
35th
That the wolf man nowadays isn't scary any more, can be forgiven and I expected that. But the biggest problem this movie had, beside that, is that I found Lon Chaney was very unconvincing in the lead.
Rated 03 Apr 2019
wayofthegunwayofthegun
Rated 05 Aug 2012
70
40th
Enjoyable as one of the classic Universal monster movies, but not incredibly good by today's standards.
Rated 05 Aug 2012
glm01glm01
Rated 25 Mar 2014
87
91st
87.000
Rated 25 Mar 2014
sirstuckeySirStuckey
Rated 16 Apr 2017
70
56th
Pretty good. Has a quick pace and can't waste time due to the short run time. Chaney Jr. is a good Wolf Man but the romance angle doesn't feel legit.
Rated 16 Apr 2017
staypuftStay_Puft
Rated 14 Aug 2007
44
42nd
Not as good as Dracula or Frankenstein.
Rated 14 Aug 2007
moraesfelipemoraesfelipe
Rated 07 Aug 2022
80
85th
Sometimes life is just a beautiful tragedy and all we can do it's live through it with disbelief and passion. This dude comes home after so many years away -- because he was the youngest; the oldest died and now he has to run his father's estate. And sorrow awaits him: he falls for a woman promised to another man and is targeted by a werewolf curse he can't quite understand, because he's a practical, machine-lover man. Gothic horror doesn't get foggier, more romantic and tragic than that.
Rated 07 Aug 2022
mrarnmrarn
Rated 21 Apr 2024
51
62nd
"The Wolf Man" unfolds leisurely, interspersed with creepy romantic exchanges that add a touch of drama. Nevertheless, the storytelling is decent enough to make it a watchable film.
Rated 21 Apr 2024
wokelsteinwokelstein
Rated 14 Oct 2020
75
62nd
Still one of the better werewolf films, a genre that struggles to produce very many good pictures. Lon Chaney Jr. is great as the gentle giant inflected with the curse, understanding that this story is nothing without pathos and tragedy. The material with the Romani doesn't date the film, but actually seems to give it a hipness that keeps it contemporary.
Rated 14 Oct 2020
lady_moeLady Moe
Rated 26 Jan 2011
82
53rd
I don't like The Wolf Man as much as "Dracula," "Frankenstein," or "The Bride of Frankenstein," but I still like it very much. You can't help but feel bad for Lon Chaney Jr. because he has such a sad face. The movie has a very eerie atmosphere. Shots of that foggy forest will be embedded in my mind forever.
Rated 26 Jan 2011
chadisdangerchadisdanger
Rated 25 Oct 2013
71
27th
Pretty good, albeit without doing too much to make itself special. There's a lot of that cool gothic Universal atmosphere, with all the mist in the woods at night and whatnot. Chaney takes the material seriously enough to make it all work; there's a theme of mental illness that works pretty well here and Chaney does a great job playing our hero as a guy genuinely worried that he's losing it. The makeup is a bit cheesy in hindsight but it's a classic look, so who cares?
Rated 25 Oct 2013
kyvettikyvetti
Rated 01 May 2009
82
94th
Passably entertaining horror film with interesting psychological undercurrents (I would be interested if someone would give a shot for Siodmak's original script), but the big part of enjoyment for me is how great this film looks. I just love the scenery.
Rated 01 May 2009
nathanbatesNathanBates
Rated 26 Oct 2021
60
35th
The film takes so long in trying to convince you that a werewolf is entirely plausible that it doesn't have time to fix the little distractions -- like the magic amulet that disappears, or the dogs that alternatively bark and don't bark at the Wolf Man, or even the family curse. While the foggy moors give a bit of atmosphere, they're pretty dull. Ultimately, it's fine for what it is, but it feels like it could have done a little better.
Rated 26 Oct 2021
kasperlKasperL
Rated 07 May 2019
60
50th
Rains is the MVP here, and the film is just about good enough to get away with its ... shall we say ... not entirely convincing wolf costume and mask.
Rated 07 May 2019
imthatdingoImThatDingo
Rated 17 Jan 2009
53
52nd
Hilariously droll in every way possible.
Rated 17 Jan 2009
driscarpindriscarpin
Rated 13 Dec 2021
73
50th
O Lobisomem estreava há 80 anos nos EUA. Box Universal Monsters The Essential Collection. https://letterboxd.com/ladyspiggott/film/the-wolf-man-1941/
Rated 13 Dec 2021
chemical404chemical404
Rated 21 Oct 2008
65
71st
i just wish they wouldnt have shown him as a werewolf, and left it as a psychological mystery movie.
Rated 21 Oct 2008
quintonjaminQuintonjamin
Rated 12 Sep 2023
80
80th
What I liked most about this were the sets they created for it, especially for the forest scenes. The music and acting overall is also pretty great. I thought it was weird that they made Chaney's character a bit of a creep. But looking at it afterwards, it was one way to make him feel more real and, in the end, for me to actually care when he turns.
Rated 12 Sep 2023
pianosamaPianoSama
Rated 03 Oct 2021
70
82nd
Finally caught this, probably my favorite Universal Horror so far in terms of actually using the titular monster (which Bride of Frankenstein barely did) & also building an intriguing story around it. For whatever reason I don't like Dracula or Frankenstein much, don't @ me. Lon Chaney being a massive creep at the beginning aside (seriously, let's not romanticize being a peeping tom please) his performance was terrific. Good supporters also. Atmospheric, tragic, enjoyable all-around.
Rated 03 Oct 2021
thedicemanTheDiceman
Rated 01 Mar 2007
50
35th
Not bad.
Rated 01 Mar 2007
bo_berryBo Berry
Rated 11 Jun 2012
85
76th
A great film that has good acting and interesting themes. Chaney Jr. gives a great performance as Larry, a man plagued with a physical and possibly mental affliction. We're constantly given psychological explanations for lycanthropy. The mind is repeatedly mentioned as a physical space, often a maze. It's interesting to see Larry become increasingly unhinged and struggle to retain his humanity. Certainly there are questions regarding sanity and humanity at the conclusion.
Rated 11 Jun 2012
gogokaingogokain
Rated 19 Feb 2010
65
66th
I'm so happy that they eventually figured out movies could be slightly more flexible than stage plays.
Rated 19 Feb 2010
glmglm
Rated 18 Jan 2011
83
74th
83.000
Rated 18 Jan 2011
caimancaiman
Rated 17 Jun 2010
76
51st
While I appreciate the good direction and acting, the story just doesn't go anywhere interesting. 90% of the movie is build up while 10% is Chaney poking his head around trees. Doesn't hold a candle to Frankenstein.
Rated 17 Jun 2010
xalechimXalechim
Rated 20 Oct 2013
5
27th
Overall Enjoyment: 20/40, Plot/Themes: 11/20, Cinematography/Direction: 12/20, Acting/Writing: 10/20
Rated 20 Oct 2013
rafaelbastosrafaelbastos
Rated 03 Jul 2010
58
13th
tem seu charme.
Rated 03 Jul 2010
macswellMacSwell
Rated 24 Jun 2015
50
24th
While The Wolf Man has certainly been influential to the horror genre, it would have benefited greatly from more action and grisliness. Even at 70 minutes it feels slow and at times a little lifeless. Chaney's not great as the lead but Rains, William and Ouspenskaya offer good supporting roles, and both the makeup and transformation scenes are effective for the time.
Rated 24 Jun 2015
hehejajahehejaja
Rated 28 Apr 2008
90
91st
So fucking awesome!
Rated 28 Apr 2008
jbynjbyn
Rated 05 Oct 2019
71
43rd
As I begin to see more horror films from this era, I am finding that I enjoy the familiar atmosphere evoked. The opening shots reveal a world where werewolves are a psychological rather than a supernatural phenomenon. This made the movie much more accessible and left a long lasting impact.
Rated 05 Oct 2019
daxvDaxV
Rated 29 Oct 2022
92
84th
This is an absolute classic, I had only really seen parts of this in the past, whole thing breezes by and it a lot of fun to watch. Lon Chaney Jr is great in the role.
Rated 29 Oct 2022

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