After putting his own distinct stamp on Nosferatu, director Robert Eggers is heading straight back into the shadows with Werwulf, a gritty medieval horror film set in 13th-century England. The official trailer drops viewers right back into the heavy atmosphere, period authenticity, and slow-burn dread that have become hallmarks of his filmmaking style.
Set against the bleak backdrop of medieval Britain, Werwulf follows a humble peasant (played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson) whose life is upended by a terrifying, inexplicable transformation. Lily-Rose Depp stars alongside him as his devoted wife, while Willem Dafoe plays a grim, relentless hunter hot on the trail of the beast. The film’s official logline sets a chilling tone:
“Get ready for the most visceral and unsettling experience Robert Eggers has ever created: Werwulf, a harrowing tale of devotion, damnation, and our inner darkness. In 13th-century Britain, a mysterious creature lurks in the gloom of the moors, attacking the inhabitants of the surrounding villages. It is a being that seems to have stepped straight out of local folklore, turning myth into a terrifying and deadly reality.”
Behind the Camera and the Cast
Eggers directed the film and co-wrote the screenplay alongside Icelandic poet Sjón, continuing their creative partnership. The two also serve as producers alongside Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, and Garrett Bird, with Chris Columbus, Eleanor Columbus, and Bernard Bellew executive producing.
Alongside Taylor-Johnson, Depp, and Dafoe, the sprawling ensemble cast features Vidal Arzoni, Ralph Ineson, Jack Morris, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, Hector Byker, Jan Bijvoet, Ritchi Edwards, Valeriia Karaman, Hannah Harpin, and Kate Dickie.
Werwulf is scheduled to hit theaters wide on January 1, 2027, following its late December holiday debut.