Werewolves have long fascinated audiences with their primal allure and terrifying power. Central to the mythos of these creatures is the transformation scene, where humans painfully morph into beastly wolves. Whether you’re watching the shows or reading the best werewolf books, the depiction of this metamorphosis has become a critical measure of a werewolf story’s impact, blending horror, special effects, and storytelling into unforgettable cinematic moments. Here, we explore some of what we think are the best werewolf transformation scenes in TV and movies that have left indelible marks on the genre.
An American Werewolf in London (1981)
Arguably the most iconic werewolf transformation scene of all time comes from John Landis’ An American Werewolf in London. Rick Baker’s groundbreaking practical effects won the first-ever Academy Award for Best Makeup. The scene where David Kessler (David Naughton) transforms into a werewolf is visceral and excruciatingly detailed, with bones cracking, skin stretching, and hair sprouting in real-time. The sequence’s realism and David’s agonising screams create a nightmarish yet enthralling spectacle that set a new standard for horror effects.
The Howling (1981)
Released the same year as An American Werewolf in London, Joe Dante’s The Howling features another unforgettable transformation scene. The work of special effects artist Rob Bottin showcases a horrific metamorphosis as Eddie Quist (Robert Picardo) transforms into a werewolf. We’re big fans of the use of prosthetics, animatronics, and air bladders under the skin used to create the grotesque and lengthy transformation that is both disturbing and mesmerising, and which enhances the film’s eerie atmosphere.
Teen Wolf (1985)
While most werewolf transformation scenes aim to terrify, Teen Wolf offers a more humorous take. In this 1985 classic, Michael J. Fox plays Scott Howard, a teenager who discovers his werewolf heritage. His transformation in the bathroom is marked by a mix of surprise and bewilderment rather than horror. The scene uses practical effects to transition Scott from an awkward teenager to a furry, more confident werewolf, setting the tone for the film’s comedic approach to lycanthropy. It’s far from the classic horror of typical werewolf films, but the comedy aspect of Teen Wolf certainly brought something unique to the genre.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer (TV Series, 1997-2003)
Who doesn’t love Buffy? We most certainly do, and the vampire centric cult classic features several werewolf transformations, particularly those involving the character Oz (Seth Green). Utilising practical effects and makeup work, combined with Green’s performance, it effectively conveys the painful and involuntary nature of his transformations. The sequences balance the horror of the change with the emotional turmoil it causes, fitting seamlessly into the show’s broader themes of identity and control. It’s not only one of our favourite shows of all time, with brilliant practical and special effects, but it helped set an even greater precedent for female lead supernatural thrillers.
Hemlock Grove (TV Series, 2013-2015)
Netflix’s Hemlock Grove offers one of the most graphic and disturbing werewolf transformation scenes in recent TV history. The show portrays Roman Godfrey (Bill Skarsgård) transforming into a werewolf in excruciating detail, including the shedding of human skin to reveal the wolf underneath. The transformation is a gory, visceral process that emphasises the brutality and horror of the change, pushing the boundaries of TV horror effects. This kind of brutal transformation has become synonymous with the werewolf genre, and is a big part of what we love!
Ginger Snaps (2000)
In Ginger Snaps, the transformation of Ginger Fitzgerald (Katharine Isabelle) is a gradual and unsettling process that mirrors her transition into womanhood. The film uses practical effects to depict her slow metamorphosis into a werewolf, incorporating elements of body horror to reflect the theme of puberty and sexual awakening. Ginger’s transformation scenes are both horrifying and symbolic, enhancing the film’s feminist undertones and psychological depth.
The Company of Wolves (1984)
Neil Jordan’s The Company of Wolves presents a surreal and poetic take on the werewolf transformation. The film, an adaptation of Angela Carter’s stories, features dreamlike sequences where men transform into wolves. One particularly striking scene involves a man tearing off his own skin to reveal a wolf underneath. The transformation is both grotesque and mesmerising, blending horror with dark fairy tale elements that had us squirming as we watched.
Van Helsing (2004)
In Van Helsing, the transformation of werewolves is rendered with CGI, offering a visually spectacular take on the change. While not as visceral as practical effects, the transformations are dynamic and visually impressive, particularly the scene where Velkan Valerious (Will Kemp) transforms. The CGI allows for fluid and rapid shifts from human to wolf, emphasising the supernatural speed and strength of the creatures. We’re first to admit, we love the practical effects employed by a lot of filmmakers when tackling a werewolf transformation scene, but Van Helsing brought a higher paced action to the genre, that you can’t deny fit the tones of the movie.
Underworld (2003)
The Underworld series features numerous werewolf transformations, blending practical effects with CGI to create seamless and dramatic changes. The first film introduces the Lycans, whose transformations are both brutal and swift. The scenes where Lucian (Michael Sheen) and other Lycans transform are notable for their intensity and the detail of the effects, showcasing the ferocity of these hybrid creatures. Arguably the first in a new style of werewolf transformations in cinema, we certainly felt the fast pace went great with the action genre film.
The Wolfman (2010)
In the 2010 remake of The Wolfman, Benicio del Toro’s transformation is a highlight, thanks to a combination of Rick Baker’s practical effects and modern CGI. The scene captures the agony and violence of the change, with detailed transformations of the bones and muscles. This blend of old-school techniques and contemporary technology pays homage to classic werewolf films while pushing the visual boundaries.
The Writers Pick: An American Werewolf in London
As much as I’m a huge fan of the action packed Underworld films, Michael Sheen has given us so many brilliant and consistent performances (Good Omens anyone?), how could it be anything but the iconic American Werewolf in London. American werewolf in London scared the bejesus out of me as a kid, the weird dream sequences, the cinema scene with his dead friend, and the body horror of David’s transformation is something that’s stuck with me my entire life! It’s a must see.
Conclusion
Werewolf transformation scenes are a hallmark of the genre, blending horror, special effects, and narrative to create some of the most memorable moments in film and TV. These scenes not only showcase the technical prowess of special effects teams but also serve to deepen the emotional and thematic impact of the stories they inhabit. From the visceral realism of An American Werewolf in London to the symbolic horror of Ginger Snaps, each transformation offers a unique window into the monstrous and the human, capturing our imaginations and fears in equal measure. The brutal element of the change is something we firmly believe is intrinsic to a good werewolf transformation. Something that’s been established through years of storytelling, there’s nothing quite as unsettling as the agony portrayed in scene’s like those showcased in some of our favourites here.
For fans of the macabre and supernatural, exploring these iconic scenes is a thrilling journey into the heart of werewolf lore and one that you can take a step further by listening to Tales from Davidstown, the best werewolf audio thriller available on Patreon now!
