Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for Wolf Man (2025)
Although Julia Garner has repeatedly proven herself as an actor with serious screen presence, Blumhouse’sWolf Mansaw her once again wasted in a by-the-numbers horror movie. For many actors, the horror genre can be a proving ground. Although early roles inFighting with My FamilyandLady Macbethmade Florence Pugh famous, it was her dazzling turn inMidsommarthat led critics to pay serious attention to her. Similarly, after spending years casting off the sex symbol persona that defined her early career, Demi Moore’s revelatory role inThe Substancesaw her nominated for her first Oscar.
Unfortunately,2025’sWolf Manreboot from Blumhousedoesn’t offer Julia Garner the same. Garner has been active since 2010, with roles inMartha Macy May Marlene,We Are What We Are, andOzarkmarking her out as one to watch. However, it was her role in 2022’s Netflix miniseriesInventing Annathat made Garner a star. As the legendary fraudster Anna Sorokin, who reinvented herself as the socialite Anna Delvey, Garner gave a performance that was equal parts sympathetic, devious, hilarious, and utterly unique. Unfortunately, Garner’s2025 horror movieWolf Manfails to match this success.
Wolf Man Squanders Julia Garner’s Charlotte
The Inventing Anna Star’s Character Is Thinly Sketched
ByWolf Man’s ending, it is clear that another horror movie with plenty of potential has wasted the talented Garner in a thankless central role. As Charlotte, the thinly-sketched wife ofWolf Man’s doomed protagonist Blake, Garner gets nothing to do beyond worrying about work while still in the city and worrying about everything else when the family drives out to the country. There are traces of a potentially intriguing relationship between Charlotte and Blake, hinted at in early scenes where she expresses frustration over her work and his status as a stay-at-home father.
Most of Garner’s role is spent watching in dismay as Blake slowly transforms into a monster and, while this could be compelling, viewers don’t know enough about her to care.
However, despiteWolf Man’s references toThe Shining, viewers expecting an intense, involving depiction of a marriage on the rocks and a faltering family should look elsewhere.Garner’s Charlotte receives no character development inWolf Man’s lean story, making a meager journey from a frustrated wife and mother to a grieving wife and mother during the movie’s runtime. Most of Garner’s role is spent watching in dismay as Blake slowly transforms into a monster and, while this could be compelling, viewers don’t know enough about her to truly care when the tragedy takes place.
Wolf Man Wasting Julia Garner Is Worse After Apartment 7A
The Rosemary’s Baby Prequel Was Disappointing
To make matters worse,Wolf Manis the second horror to waste Julia Garner’s talents in one year. Released in September 2024 to little fanfare,Apartment 7Awas a painfully predictable prequel to the 1968 classicRosemary’s Baby.WhileWolf Man’s blend of home invasion horrorand werewolf movie failed to muster up many scares,Apartment 7Ahad another problem. Both Ira Levin’s novelRosemary’s Babyand director Roman Polanski’s adaptation of the book are incredibly famous, so most viewers knew where the story ofApartment 7A’s dancer heroine Terry Gionoffrio was going before the movie even began.
This proved to be a major issue, as even a talented performer like Garner couldn’t overcome a plot whose twist was so blatantly obvious. To put it mildly, Garner’s role failed to gain the acclaim Mia Farrow earned in the originalRosemary’s Baby, although she was singled out as a highlight ofApartment 7A. Reviewers agreed that, although the prequel couldn’t hope to compare with its predecessor, Garner was at least solid in her role.Wolf Man’s smaller supporting role didn’t even gain this faint praise.
Julia Garner’s Next Horror Movie Should Snap This Disappointing Trend
Garner’s Upcoming 2026 Horror Movie Looks Particularly Promising
Fortunately, all hope is not lost for Garner’s future in the horror genre. AlthoughWolf ManandApartment 7Aboth failed to win over viewers, Garner clearly has an interest in the genre and her next project may be the one to turn the tide on her critical struggles. Garner is one of the stars of of director Zach Cregger’s next movie, 2026’s highly anticipatedWeapons. Admittedly, 2020’s acclaimedThe Invisible ManandWolf Manshare the same director, so the fact that Creggers’ horror debutBarbarianwas critically adored may not be enough to ensure the success ofWeapons.
Weapons will see the Barbarian director once again delve into the darkness beneath American suburbia with a story of religious rituals, blood sacrifices, and missing children.
However, it is worth noting that the horror movie also boasts an incredible ensemble cast including Pedro Pascal, Josh Brolin, June Diane Raphael, and Bryan Tyree Henry alongside Garner. A sprawling horror epic told over numerous generations,Weaponswill see theBarbariandirector once again delve into the darkness beneath American suburbia with a story of religious rituals, blood sacrifices, and missing children in a small town. With any luck, this ambitious plot could offerWolf Man’s wasted supporting star her first critically acclaimed horror hit after two high-profile genre flops in a row.
