MOVIE NEWS – Willem Dafoe is working with Robert Eggers once again, this time as one of the central performers in Werwulf, a Gothic horror story set in 13th-century England. Dafoe has not yet seen the completed movie, but his experience during production and post-production has convinced him to expect another intense and highly distinctive world from the filmmaker.

Speaking with Collider, Dafoe discussed the upcoming horror movie and Eggers’ approach to filmmaking. Their collaboration now stretches across several projects, including The Lighthouse, The Northman, and Nosferatu. In Dafoe’s view, one of Eggers’ defining strengths remains his ability to construct an unusually detailed and internally consistent world around both the story and the performers.

“He just gets better and better. He’s incredibly committed. He’s smart. He knows his passions. He knows his limitations. He knows what he likes, and he’s very good with actors because he was one himself,” Dafoe said. The actor added that he particularly enjoys working with Eggers because the director understands how to challenge his performers and knows which creative buttons to push.

The Hunt Takes Place in 13th-Century England

Dafoe ultimately describes Eggers as a world-building filmmaker above almost everything else. “That’s exactly what you want from a director. You want them to create the world, so when you step into it, that world speaks to you,” he explained. That talent could be particularly important to Werwulf, which is set in 13th-century England and revolves around a dangerous beast terrorizing the countryside.

Dafoe plays a hunter pursuing the creature, while two other actors with previous Eggers connections, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Lily-Rose Depp, also have major roles. Dafoe stressed that he has not yet watched the completed film, so his comments are based primarily on his experience during production and subsequent post-production work. Werwulf opens in Hungarian theaters on January 7, 2027.

Source: UIP-Duna Film