Robert Eggers’ ‘Werwulf’ Finally Shows Its Face, And The Full Moon Is Already Rising

Robert Eggers has spent the better part of a decade convincing horror fans that period setting and patient dread are scarier than any jump scare, and his next film, ‘Werwulf,’ is shaping up to test that theory all over again. The director is coming off the massive success of ‘Nosferatu,’ which has already pulled in more than 150 million dollars at the box office, so anticipation for whatever he tackled next was always going to be intense.

That next project turns out to be a medieval creature feature set in thirteenth century England, reuniting Eggers with much of his ‘Nosferatu’ cast and bringing back his ‘The Northman’ collaborator, the Icelandic writer Sjón, who co-wrote the screenplay alongside the director. Eggers has not been shy about how grim things get, telling Bleeding Cool that ‘Werwulf’ is the darkest thing he has ever written, by far, which is saying something for the filmmaker behind ‘The Witch’ and ‘The Lighthouse.’

Now fans finally have something concrete to look at. A new official image surfaced this week showing a frost covered forest lit only by pale slivers of moonlight, captioned with a simple warning that there is a full moon coming. The image arrives alongside confirmation that ‘Werwulf’ will stalk theaters starting December 25, mirroring the same holiday release strategy that worked so well for ‘Nosferatu.’

That reveal follows months of buildup that began at CinemaCon, where, according to Deadline, Focus Features screened the first trailer for the room only, calling ‘Werwulf’ Eggers’ most terrifying picture yet. That early footage reportedly included whispers of a curse, a burning house, and a glimpse of Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s character seemingly mid transformation into the creature. The project draws on early folklore about lycanthropy and even folds Middle English into the script to ground its medieval village setting.

Taylor-Johnson leads a cast filled with Eggers regulars, joined by Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe, Ralph Ineson, and Bodhi Rae Breathnach, with cinematographer Jarin Blaschke once again behind the camera. Tim Bevan, Garrett Bird, Eric Fellner, and Sjón produce alongside Eggers, while Chris and Eleanor Columbus serve as executive producers.

With a release date locked for December 25 and a first image that already has fans buzzing about pale moonlight and frostbitten woods, ‘Werwulf’ looks ready to make this another tense holiday season at the multiplex. What do you think is stalking through those frozen trees, and are you ready to face a full moon with Robert Eggers this Christmas?