Werwulf (2026)

Robert Eggers' upcoming period horror film Werwulf is set to release in the United States on December 25, 2026. The movie stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson as an unnamed serf in 13th-century England who suffers from an ancient curse that slowly transforms him into a wolf during moments of intense pain and clarity. Lily-Rose Depp plays his wife, described by the director as the emotional core of the story, while Willem Dafoe portrays a hunter tracking the beast. The narrative focuses on themes of redemption through love amidst a brutal medieval world, deliberately avoiding modern werewolf tropes such as silver bullets or infection vectors.

The production emphasizes historical authenticity and atmospheric dread, utilizing full Middle English dialogue co-written by Eggers and Sjón, which has been adjusted for modern comprehension. Filmed on 35mm stock, the visual style incorporates colorized processing to give actors a sickly pallor and integrates black-and-white film grain structures to create a unique, grim aesthetic. Taylor-Johnson underwent rigorous physical training and observed real wolves to master the creature's movement and transformation sequences, marking what Eggers considers one of the most physically demanding performances of his career.

Key Production Facts:

• Director Robert Eggers describes the film as potentially his darkest work yet, rooted in dark age European folklore and Viking cultural influences rather than Hollywood conventions.
• The cast includes veteran actor Willem Dafoe, reuniting with Eggers after their collaboration on Nosferatu (2024).
• Robin Carolan has been confirmed to compose the score for the film, adding to its gothic atmosphere.
• The script eschews character names for all humans except for the dog, emphasizing the dehumanizing nature of the curse.