Willem Dafoe has returned to the horror genre once again.
It was quite an astonishing piece of news for horror aficionados to hear that Dafoe is to be the lead actor in Robert Eggers’ next movie Werwulf.
Though the release of the news was due to an industry leak, it has caused a stir in the world of the Internet. Some people are going to the extent of calling it Dafoe’s most scaring undertaking.
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Eggers, the creator of The Lighthouse and The Northman, described Werwulf as “the darkest thing I’ve ever written”. Thus, now that it is certain that Dafoe has joined the cast, the levels of anticipation are skyrocketing.
What Is Werwulf About?
As of now, the publicity for Werwulf is quite sparse. The movie is situated in 13th-century England, so the title point to the era of the myth of the werewolf.
What is known so far is that Eggers’ intention for the film was to show “the primal fear in the transformation process” and “the devil within the good.’’
Fans have started to theorize that this film could be the next psychological horror thriller by combining three elements—folklore, madness, and violence.
According to the sources, Aaron Taylor-Johnson is probably going to be the co-protagonist, while Lily-Rose Depp is going to be the female main character.
However, it is Dafoe’s participation that has attracted the most attention.
Dafoe and Eggers: A Power Couple
Dafoe and Eggers have teamed up before. As a matter of fact, Werwulf will be their fourth time working together.
- In The Lighthouse, Dafoe played a grizzled sailor trapped in isolation.
- In The Northman, he took on a mystical role as a seer.
- And in Nosferatu, he portrayed a terrifying supporting character.
- In every project, Dafoe was able to give performances that were blistering, rough, and barely unforgettable.
- His style perfectly matches Eggers’ liking for dark, historic storytelling.
- History: In almost no horror movie is the era of the medieval the background plot.
- Psychology: Eggers himself has noted that the film is about evil that has already been there inside a man.
- Performance by Dafoe: The actor generally has a style of emotional and spontaneous acting.
- Use of technology: Eggers dispenses with the new computer special effects and uses a practical and natural atmosphere with the effect of horror remaining.
What’s So Special About This Character?
Incidentally, Dafoe’s part in Werwulf is still not officially confirmed to fans by the source itself.
Willem Dafoe’s character will probably be the main negative role or the one who was prey to the curse. Besides, there are some fans who even speculate that he might be the werewolf himself.
Yet, no one made it official.
Based on Eggers’ cryptic statement that the story that the movie is based upon highlights the theme of “becoming something inhuman and letting that fear grow like a disease”, this could be a subtle way to reveal that Dafoe’s character is changing throughout the movie or he may see someone else go through the same process.
Regardless of the use of either option, his presence becomes so relevant in the playing of such energetic characters that there are practically no actors who can surpass him.
When Is Werwulf Scheduled To Launch?
The film is currently being prepped for the production and it is expected to start in the fall of this year.
December 25, 2026, is the date that has been chosen for its release and would be an indication for Eggers aiming to give the audience a Christmas horror blockbuster that they deserve.
This release date will mean that Werwulf will be submitted to the awards committee, as this genre-bending horror, Dafoe’s reputation, and Eggers’ ascent in the industry will make it a huge awards contender.
What Makes This Project So Unique
Willem Dafoe has been known for the compelling, intense, and very much human characters who have featured heavily in his career.
The actor has demonstrated incredible versatility throughout his roles in a number of popular films including the military drama Platoon, the villain in Spider-Man or as a very caring and supportive manager of The Florida Project.
On the other hand, his dark-side characters not only intrigued but also terrified the fans of causing mental glitches and altering myths or history.
Below is the innovative idea behind this project:
- Period background: The ancient times era is rarely a topic for scary movies.
- Psychological themes: Eggers has said it’s something “about a badness that is in one’s blood, in one’s very soul.”
- Dafoe’s performance style: Dafoe has always been recognized for his incredibly emotional performances and unpredictable energy.
- Minimal CGI: Instead of using modern effects, Eggers chooses realism and fear as devices to achieve his desired effects.
Put it together and you have a horror movie that is uncannily vivid, very much down to earth, and absolutely heart-chilling.
Dafoe’s Career: A New Chapter?
Even though Dafoe is still involved in major roles, e.g., his upcoming The Man in My Basement, he’s turning to Werwulf as his unconventional breakthrough.
The project is not only highly risky but also greatly peculiar and might actually reflect a side of the actor that was never visible onscreen before.
He’s also still on the periphery of the experimental theater, with a recent assignment at the Venice Biennale.
The performance, No Title. An Experiment. involved Dafoe reciting abstract texts standing in front of glass shattered into pieces. It was referred to as “emotional chaos.”
Definitely, he enjoys taking chances.
Willem Dafoe may be pushing 70, but the challenges he is tackling as an actor certainly do not fit his age. In Werwulf, he is rumoured to be attempting his dark landmark role in recent memory.
If the grapevine is to be believed, this project might be a career changer not only for Dafoe but for the modern horror genre itself.
