Middelalderskrekkende Werwulf fra Nosferatu-regissøren

From The Witch to The Northman, Robert Eggers has earned his place as a master of atmospheric, historically-rooted storytelling. With his latest project, Werwulf, Eggers promises to delve into the primal fears and ancient myths surrounding werewolves, blending historical authenticity with chilling horror.

Eggers’ films are worth experiencing, if only for their meticulous detail, atmosphere, and moments of cultural phenomena – like the dynamic interplay between Dafoe and Pattinson in The Lighthouse. Previously, I wrote about the best games with Nosferatu vibes for EGamesWorld because Eggers' latest work (Nosferatu) left me captivated by its thunderous, cold atmosphere of castles and the central theme of the vampire. The Blood of Dawnwalker by a Polish studio, planned for release in the coming years, seamlessly capitalized on the renewed interest in vampires sparked by the film. Could we soon expect a new “wolf” among dark RPGs in the years to come?

Image Credit: Eggers’ The Witch and The Lighthouse | Collider

The title, derived from the Old English spelling of “werewolf,” signals Eggers’ commitment to exploring the origins of lycanthropy. Just as The Witch drew on Puritan-era writings and The Northman unearthed Norse sagas, Werwulf is expected to root its narrative in medieval tales of transformation and terror. Eggers has re-teamed with Sjón, his co-writer on The Northman, to craft a story set in the 13th century – a time when superstition, folklore, and fear of the unknown shaped society.

Among the inspirations for Werwulf could be Bisclavret, a 12th-century poetic narrative by Marie de France. The tale tells of a nobleman cursed to transform into a wolf and betrayed by his wife, who steals his clothes to trap him in his wolf form. Themes of loyalty, betrayal, and violence are central, culminating in the nobleman-wolf’s savage revenge. Eggers’ penchant for exploring moral ambiguity and human frailty suggests that Bisclavret’s complex dynamics might play a significant role in shaping the film.

Another potential influence comes from Gerald of Wales, a 12th-century historian who chronicled an eerie tale in Topographia Hibernica. In his account, a cursed wolf pleads with a priest to perform the last rites for its dying companion, revealing a chilling blend of humanity and monstrosity. This story’s spiritual undertones and themes of dread align with Eggers’ fascination with ritual and the supernatural.

The Otia Imperialia by Gervase of Tilbury, a 13th-century collection of extraordinary tales, offers further material. Stories of knights cursed to roam as wolves until their humanity is violently restored provide a visceral and symbolic exploration of transformation. Eggers’ ability to depict brutal yet poetic imagery could bring these moments to life, blending historical authenticity with unsettling horror.

Although Werwulf is set centuries before the infamous werewolf panic of the 15th and 16th centuries, Eggers might still draw from the gruesome story of Peter Stubbe, the so-called “Werewolf of Bedburg.” Stubbe’s macabre confessions of murder, and cannibalism, and their deals with the Devil evoke themes of societal fear, paranoia, and brutality – elements Eggers has explored in his previous work. While the tale postdates the film’s timeline, its nightmarish details could inspire aspects of Werwulf’s tone and narrative.

As we can see, there’s no shortage of sources for inspiration and groundwork on the theme of wolves. It’s only a matter of time before someone seizes the moment, driven by the anticipated popularity of the upcoming horror film, to deliver a game that, even without the film, has the potential to attract a significant audience.

Eggers’ films are renowned for their meticulous attention to historical detail and their ability to unearth the raw, primal fears buried in folklore. Werwulf promises to be no different, offering a fresh and chilling take on the werewolf mythos. As Eggers himself has emphasized in past projects, monsters are not merely creatures of horror but reflections of the human condition and the cultural anxieties of their time.

Set to release on December 25, 2026, Werwulf is poised to redefine the werewolf genre with Eggers’ signature blend of historical depth, psychological tension, and visceral horror. For fans of his work, the wait promises to be well worth it.