Robert Eggers’ Werwulf is getting a limited 35mm theatrical release on Christmas Day, and tickets are on sale now. The official Werwulf account announced the news on October 26, giving moviegoers a chance to experience the director’s upcoming medieval horror thriller on real film for the first time at select theaters across the United States.
The bummer is, most of us won’t be anywhere near one of these theaters. And some of us might have been near one of the theaters if they weren’t being whisked away on some in-laws retreat for the holidays. Out of the 50 U.S. states, it’s only playing in 35mm at 13 of them. That’s less than ½ the country, so don’t feel sad if you’re being left in the dust of the moon.
Me? I’m currently in hiding at an undisclosed location in the Pacific Northwest. A quick glance at this list indicates that, if I really wanted to, I could make the two hour trek to Portland, Oregon to see it at the Hollywood Theater. Hey, that’s where I saw The 5000 Fingers of Dr. T for the first time. But Nosferatu bored me to sleep, so I think I might pass on this one. Sounds like a long drive for a nap.
The film is scheduled to open nationwide on December 25, but the 35mm screenings will be limited to participating venues. Focus Features has set up a ticket finder on the official Werwulf website, where moviegoers can check their area and find available showtimes. Be sure to confirm that your chosen screening is listed as 35mm before purchasing tickets.
The announced locations include:
- Alamo Drafthouse Downtown LA in Los Angeles, California
- Alamo Drafthouse Cedars in Dallas, Texas
- Alamo Drafthouse Downtown Brooklyn in Brooklyn, New York
- Alamo Drafthouse New Mission in San Francisco, California
- Angelika Film Center at Mosaic in Fairfax, Virginia
- Angelika Film Center in Dallas, Texas
- Belcourt Theatre in Nashville, Tennessee
- Enzian Theater in Maitland, Florida
- Harkins Tempe Marketplace in Tempe, Arizona
- Heights Theater in Columbia Heights, Minnesota
- Hollywood Theatre in Portland, Oregon
- Jacob Burns Film Center in Pleasantville, New York
- Philadelphia Film Society East Theater in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Plaza Theatre in Atlanta, Georgia
- Screenland Armour in North Kansas City, Missouri
- Somerville Theatre in Somerville, Massachusetts
- Village East by Angelika in New York, New York
Screening dates and times vary by theater, and some venues have listings beyond Christmas Day. Check the individual ticket pages for the latest schedule.
Now, you may be asking yourself, why do I need to see it in 35mm? That sounds like grandpa shiz. The answer is, I’m the wrong guy to ask. I’ll watch anything, anywhere, at just about any venue. Project it off an old inner tube, and I’m happy. But other analog heads love the aesthetic. They love the grain, the sound the film makes. For some it’s a full sensory experience. Those people mostly grew up in the era of film. Or their moms drug them to the New Beverly a lot as a kid.
I dig it, but I’m not a die hard.
Werwulf takes place in 13th-century England, where a mysterious creature stalks the countryside and local folklore begins to take a terrifying turn. Eggers co-wrote the film with Sjón, his collaborator on The Northman. The cast includes Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe, Ralph Ineson, and Bodhi Rae Breathnach.
The 35mm release should appeal to moviegoers who want to see Eggers’ latest work on film rather than settle for a standard digital presentation. With The Witch, The Lighthouse, and Nosferatu behind him, Eggers has built a reputation for period horror with a distinct visual identity. Werwulf brings him back to historical horror, this time drawing on medieval folklore.
If a participating theater is within reach, you can now plan a Christmas Day trip into Eggers’ latest nightmare. Just don’t wait too long to check the listings if you have your heart set on a particular screening. These seats will probably sell out fast. I’ll let Doug Perkins have my seat while I stay home and watch some disaster movie classics this holiday season.
