Alma and the Wolf (2025)

Alma and the Wolf unfolds like a haunting windswept folktale beneath the rolling fog of the Oregon coast, where the roar of the Pacific collides with the whisper of ancient forests. The film was selected as the winner of the Audience Choice Award: Best of Fest Feature at the 2025 Boston Underground Film Festival and received a nomination for Best Horror / Thriller Feature at the Jim Thorpe Independent Film Festival 2025. With its brooding dunes, weathered cliffs, and timeless forests, the film captures the mystique of nature as both a place of refuge and untamed danger, drawing viewers into its evocative and visceral world. An atmospheric masterpiece immerses the audience in a landscape that feels as much a character as the central Alma or the mysterious wolf.

Alma and the Wolf (2025) Official Trailer - Paramount Pictures

A palpable chill permeates the air from the opening frame of Alma and the Wolf (2025), a film that doesn't merely tell a story but envelops the viewer in a dreamlike, disquieting reality. From its breathtaking establishing shots to its lingering, unsettling atmosphere, director Michael Patrick Jann has crafted a cinematic experience that defies easy categorization, weaving together elements of psychological thriller, folk horror, and a touch of the surreal into a truly unique tapestry. This isn't just a movie; it's a descent into the unsettling depths of human nature, set against a backdrop as captivating and mysterious as the narrative itself.

Alma and the Wolf unfolds like a haunting windswept folktale beneath the rolling fog of the Oregon coast.

Central to the film's immersive quality is its primary shooting location: Pacific City, on the rugged coast of Oregon. Jann and cinematographer Joe Kessler have masterfully utilized the town's unique geography, with its iconic Haystack Rock looming large like an ancient, silent sentinel. The constant presence of the ocean, with its crashing waves and pervasive fog, creates an almost primordial sense of isolation and foreboding. The small-town charm is subtly distorted, revealing a community tightly knit yet harboring hidden tensions, where the relentless coastal weather mirrors the internal turmoil of its inhabitants. One particular scene, shot during a genuine coastal storm, captures the raw power of the Pacific, making the human characters seem insignificant against nature's might, a visual metaphor that resonates deeply with the film's themes of helplessness and forces beyond control.

Director Michael Patrick Jann, known for his cult classic Drop Dead Gorgeous and more recent pivot to darker material with Organ Trail, showcases a refined and daring vision in Alma and the Wolf. Jann eschews conventional genre boundaries, blending horror subgenres like folk horror, body horror, and psychological thrillers with a touch of dark humor. His stylistic approach is one of intentional tonal whiplash, pushing audiences to question the reality presented, a technique he credits to exploring "the idea of narrative" and how individuals construct their own truths. He deliberately keeps the audience off-balance, drawing influences from everything from misty forest thrillers to the unsettling works of John Carpenter, all while committing to a largely practical effects approach that lends a visceral, unsettling authenticity to the film's more disturbing moments.

The performances within Alma and the Wolf are nothing short of captivating. Ethan Embry, in a career-defining role as Ren Accord, delivers a raw and emotionally charged portrayal of a man grappling with inner demons and an escalating sense of dread. Embry’s ability to oscillate between affable charm and simmering desperation is central to the film’s ambiguity, making his character both relatable and profoundly unsettling. Li Jun Li, as the enigmatic Alma, provides a compelling counterpoint, her quiet intensity and alluring mystery drawing Ren—and the audience—deeper into the film’s perplexing narrative. Interestingly, Embry's son, Lukas Jann (the director's son), also has a significant role as Ren's son, Jack, adding a layer of familial intimacy to the production, despite the dark events unfolding onscreen.

The film is rich with subtle nods and intriguing allusions that add layers of depth without explicitly revealing plot points. Eagle-eyed viewers might spot a recurring motif of a specific, almost archaic, fishing lure, a subtle nod to Pacific City’s deep-rooted fishing industry and perhaps a symbol of something ancient and predatory lurking beneath the surface. There's also a fleeting glimpse of a specific type of indigenous Pacific Northwest artwork, a potential hint at forgotten lore or a deeper connection to the land's history. These aren't mere Easter eggs; they are breadcrumbs leading to a richer understanding of the film's thematic undercurrents, inviting repeat viewings to uncover their full significance in relation to the unfolding psychological drama.

Beyond its striking visuals and compelling performances, Alma and the Wolf is a triumph of production design and sound. The choice to shoot on location in Pacific City allowed for a seamless integration of natural elements into the film's fabric, blurring the lines between set and environment. The sound design, in particular, is a masterclass in psychological manipulation, with the constant howl of the wind, the distant cries of gulls, and unsettling, almost animalistic vocalizations contributing to an pervasive sense of unease. A lesser-known fact from production involves the extensive use of local fog machines to supplement the natural coastal mist, a testament to the crew's dedication to maintaining a consistent, atmospheric visual style even when nature didn't fully cooperate.

Alma and the Wolf is an experience that will linger long after the credits roll. It’s a film that bravely takes creative risks, embraces ambiguity, and trusts its audience to piece together its intricate puzzles. While its unconventional narrative structure and deliberate tonal shifts may polarize some, its artistic ambition and the sheer force of its performances are undeniable. This is a cinematic journey into the heart of darkness, where the line between reality and hallucination blurs, and the primal fears of a small coastal town become horrifyingly real. Prepare to be unnerved, enthralled, and ultimately, deeply impressed by this audacious and unforgettable film.