Acclaimed horror auteur Robert Eggers will reunite with Aaron Taylor‑Johnson and Lily‑Rose Depp for his ominous new film, Werwulf. Reportedly the “darkest thing” Eggers has ever written, the medieval werewolf thriller is set to premiere on Christmas Day 2026 via Focus Features.
Aaron Taylor‑Johnson, who starred in Eggers’ Nosferatu remake, is confirmed to play the titular werewolf character in Werwulf, set in 13th-century England.
Lily‑Rose Depp—Taylor‑Johnson’s co-star in Nosferatu—is in advanced talks to play the werewolf’s wife, reuniting with Eggers and her former castmate.
The screenplay is co-written by Eggers and Icelandic poet Sjón, who also collaborated on The Northman, while executive producers include Chris and Eleanor Columbus under the Maiden Voyage banner.
Story & Production Details
Werwulf is inspired by Anglo-Saxon lore, specifically the Old English term for werewolf—meaning “man-wolf”—and draws on Viking berserker mythology.
Dialogue will feature period-accurate Old English, with translations or subtitles provided for modern audiences.
Principal photography begins in September 2025, with Focus Features backing the production. The release is slated for December 25, 2026.
Eggers’ Most Ambitious Horror to Date
Described by Eggers as “the darkest thing I’ve ever written”, the script reportedly explores themes of transformation, folklore, and visceral horror on a grand scale.
Eggers is known for his meticulous period fidelity—as seen in The Witch, The Lighthouse, The Northman, and Nosferatu—and Werwulf is expected to elevate that tradition with Gothic atmosphere and historical immersion.
Robert Eggers’ Werwulf marks an exciting—and chilling—return to period horror, bringing together his trusted collaborators Aaron Taylor‑Johnson and Lily‑Rose Depp for a medieval werewolf tale that melds folklore, vengeance, and supernatural dread.
