The first look at Aaron Taylor-Johnson in Robert Eggers‘ Werwulf has been revealed. Eggers described Taylor-Johnson’s character in the film as “a farmer. He’s a man who is cursed. It’s a story about a man who is cursed and is trying to find salvation through love. He’s a character who is haunted and in great pain.” See the image below.
In a recent interview with Esquire, Eggers explained how Werwulf differs from other werewolf movies. He said, “All the clichés of being bitten by a werewolf, silver bullets, and a lot of the stuff that has become almost campy don’t exist in the mythology of this movie.”
Here’s the official synopsis for Werwulf:
“Witness Robert Eggers’ most visceral and haunting experience yet. Focus Features presents Werwulf, a harrowing tale of devotion, damnation, and the devil within.”
In the film, Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as the cursed farmer, alongside Lily-Rose Depp as the cursed farmer’s wife, Willem Dafoe as a hunter, Ralph Ineson, Jack Morris, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, Jan Bijvoet, and Ritchi Edwards.
Directed by Eggers, who previously helmed The Witch and Nosferatu, Werwulf is co-written by Eggers and Sjón. Set in 13th-century England, the film follows a mysterious creature stalking the fog-covered countryside as local folklore becomes a terrifying reality for the villagers.
Eggers says Lily-Rose Depp is the heart of the film. “Lily is truly transformative. There’s a very clear physical change in her appearance through makeup, but she inhabits a completely different person—someone who is very different from herself and unlike any character she’s ever played. She’s Aaron’s wife, a mother of several children, and a farmer. She’s also the most gracious person in the film.”
Focus Features Chairman Peter Kujawski says Robert Eggers’ latest film is “on a whole other level” and unlike anything audiences have seen before.
Produced by Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner of Working Title, alongside Eggers and Sjón, while Maiden Voyage’s Chris and Eleanor Columbus serve as executive producers.
Werwulf will hit theaters in North America on December 25, 2026, by Focus Features.
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