Werwulf is “the darkest thing I’ve ever written”

Can Eggers come up with another horror folklore classic

Robert Eggers has quickly become one of the biggest names in horror, with a string of iconic and terrifying films under his belt. He started his career with the 2015 film The VVitch, before directing the critically acclaimed The Lighthouse (2019), the mythological drama The Northman (2022), and, most recently, the gothic vampire movie Nosferatu (2024).

All these films combine supernatural elements with a historical, period-piece setting. His latest project, Werwulf, looks to follow the same pattern as his previous films, with critics wondering if the movie, set to release this year, will be yet another highly rated folklore horror.

Why Stick with the Horror Genre?

It makes sense for Eggers to stay on the horror track. After all, it is one of the most popular genres of the last decade. This spans recent horror films, like Weapons and Sinners (2025), horror games such as Silent Hill F, and even iGaming, where players can use Betfair casino promotions to play horror slots such as Devils Crossroad and Night Maker.

It’s clear that Eggers has a love for horror, and with his last films being both commercially and critically successful, there’s no reason why he would stop the trend now.

On top of sticking with horror, the American director will continue to set his next film in the past. Films set in pre-war and older centuries seem to be where Eggers is at his most creative. They allow the film to be set in a dark and eerie setting, where a sense of mystery about the period elevates the suspense.

Indeed, Eggers has said himself in a recent Rotten Tomatoes interview that he has no interest in making contemporary movies, with the thought of making a film where you can see a car or photograph making him feel “ill”.

Setting these movies in past centuries means that he can play into traditional folklore, adding a terrifying visual aspect to an already established legend. He did this with 17th-century witchcraft folklore in the VVitch, maritime mythology and superstition in The Lighthouse, and is now doing it again with Werwulf.

What we know about Werwulf so far 

So far, we know that Werwulf is set in 13th-century England, and will be expected to feature costumes and dialogue that are accurate to the period.

It will star some familiar actors that Eggers has used in previous projects. Already announced is the casting of Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Lily-Rose Depp, both of whom featured in Eggers’ last film, Nosferatu.

That film was terrifying for both casual fans and horror fanatics, with publications such as Slate placing the movie very high on their subjective horror scales. However, Werwulf looks like it could be even scarier than his previous efforts, with Eggers saying in a recent interview that Werwulf is “the darkest thing I’ve ever written. By far.”

If that is true, we can be sure to expect another movie filled with dark elements, suspenseful twists, and folklore horror settings that the director is notorious for.