5 Hard Truths About Watching The Wolf Man from 1941, 84 Years After Its Release

The recent debut of director Leigh Whannell’s remake of Wolf Man has reignited interest in the classic 1941 film The Wolf Man. This quintessential Universal Studios production narrates the tragic tale of Larry Talbot, a man doomed to become a ferocious werewolf at night. Despite its status as a hallmark of werewolf cinema, repeated viewings unveil certain flaws that detract from its legacy.

As decades pass, it’s natural for films like The Wolf Man to exhibit age-related shortcomings, especially when compared to modern interpretations like the 2025 Wolf Man. This original film, while groundbreaking at the time, contains notable plot inconsistencies and underdeveloped characters that challenge its standing as a flawless classic. The reality remains that, had it been released today, it may well have faced critical backlash due to these questionable elements.

5 Larry’s Brother Is All But Forgotten Too Soon

Larry Moves On From His Brother’s Death Way Too Quickly

The inciting tragedy of The Wolf Man stems from the death of Larry’s brother, which is addressed only in the film’s opening. This event prompts Larry’s return to Llanwelly and spurs his reconciliation with his father, John. Yet, after only a few moments of grief, references to his brother vanish completely from the narrative.

The impact of Larry’s brother’s death on the protagonist’s character arc is virtually nonexistent; it serves more as a narrative device to initiate the plot rather than a moment of emotional depth. A deeper exploration of Larry’s relationship with his brother and father could have brought significant emotional resonance to the storyline.

4 Larry Spied On Gwen And Still Got A Date

Gwen Would Not Find Larry Charming In The Modern Age

Upon returning to Llanwelly, Larry uses a telescope to observe Gwen from a distance, becoming infatuated with her. His ongoing surveillance culminates in flirtation, based on intimate details he acquired from watching her. While this narrative device may have contributed to a romantic subplot, it has not aged well.

In today’s context, Larry’s actions would be deemed invasive and troubling, especially following the #MeToo movement, which emphasizes consent and respect for boundaries. The fact that Gwen still agrees to go out with Larry after learning of his odd behavior raises significant questions about her character’s agency.

3 Gwen’s Character Could’ve Been Written Better

Gwen’s Character Showed Greater Potential In 1941’s The Wolf Man

Gwen and the Wolf Man from The Wolfman (1941)

Unfortunately, Gwen’s character is emblematic of the era’s poor representation of women in film. Positioned primarily as Larry’s love interest, Gwen is also depicted as a token of his fading humanity amidst his werewolf transformation. Ultimately, her role devolves into that of a damsel in distress, reliant on male figures for her salvation.

While the narrative establishes her proximity to tragedy—especially after the death of her friend, Jenny, at the hands of the werewolf—Gwen is largely relegated to a passive role. Her character’s potential for agency and redemption is starkly underutilized, ultimately sidelining her experiences in favor of showcasing Larry’s struggles.

2 Larry Giving Gwen The Silver Charm Made No Sense

Larry Could’ve Protected More People By Keeping His Silver Charm

In a significant plot point, Larry receives a silver charm from Maleva intended to suppress his transformation into a werewolf. However, he makes the illogical choice to give it to Gwen, ostensibly to protect her from himself. This ill-fated decision sets off a chain of events that places Gwen in danger, thwarting the intended purpose of the charm.

If Larry genuinely wished to keep her safe, maintaining possession of the charm would have been the most prudent course of action, especially given the uncertain effectiveness of the charm’s protective properties. Additionally, by relinquishing the silver charm, he exposes not just Gwen but also others to the inherent dangers of his werewolf alter ego.

1 Maleva Could’ve Given Bela A Silver Charm

Bela Didn’t Want To Hurt Anyone, And He Didn’t Have To

Larry and a woman from The Wolfman (1941)

A perplexing aspect is why Maleva couldn’t provide a silver charm to Bela, Larry’s predecessor in the werewolf lineage. Knowledgeable about the curse’s implications, Maleva understands that a bite could transfer the curse. Her apparent desire to protect Larry suggests that she would want to prevent further harm if at all possible.

Given Bela’s clear reluctance to inflict pain, as evidenced by his dream of Jenny’s death at his hands, Maleva’s decision not to arm him with the means to suppress the curse is baffling. Had she acted to contain the curse by providing the silver charm, it could have saved both Bela and others from the tragic outcomes encountered throughout The Wolf Man.

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