Robert Eggers unleashes first trailer for gothic horror Werwulf

Fresh off the massive critical and commercial success of last year's 'Nosferatu', visionary director Robert Eggers is plunging back into the realm of classic monsters with his latest gothic horror, 'Werwulf'. Focus Features dropped the terrifying first trailer for the film, slating it for a theatrical release on 25 December.

Set in 13th-century England, the film promises a harrowing tale of devotion and damnation as a mysterious creature stalks a foggy, terrified countryside. Shot in Eggers' signature, grainy 4:3 aspect ratio, the eerie trailer builds tension around a dark family curse, culminating in a jaw-dropping sequence where Aaron Taylor-Johnson undergoes a brutal transformation into the titular beast.

The project serves as a major reunion for Eggers, bringing back Taylor-Johnson, Lily-Rose Depp, Willem Dafoe, and Ralph Ineson from his previous gothic ventures. He also re-teamed with frequent collaborator Sjón to pen the script.

The Christmas Day release strategy mirrors the rollout of 'Nosferatu', which banked over $181 million globally and picked up a slew of BAFTA and Oscar nominations, cementing Eggers as a master of historically rooted horror.