Pop Culture Happy Hour: "Wolf Man And What's Making Us Happy" – January 17, 2025

In this engaging episode of NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour, hosts Linda Holmes, Glenn Weldon, Ba Parker, and Jennifer Joelle dive deep into the latest cinematic release, "Wolfman", while also reflecting on the enduring legacy of the late director David Lynch. The conversation seamlessly transitions into the heartwarming segment, "What's Making Us Happy This Week?", where the hosts share their current sources of joy and entertainment.

1. Exploring "Wolfman"

Linda Holmes kicks off the discussion by introducing the new "Wolfman" film, positioning it within Universal Pictures' initiative to reboot classic monsters. Directed by Leigh Whannell, who previously collaborated with Blumhouse on "The Invisible Man", the film stars Christopher Abbott as Blake, a writer who inherits a secluded house in Oregon alongside his wife, Charlotte (played by Julia Garner), and their daughter. As the family grapples with eerie local legends, Blake begins to undergo a terrifying transformation into a werewolf.

Glenn Weldon's Perspective

Glenn Weldon shares his initial impressions:

“There is an element of, given the premise that you said, there's an element of, we know where this is going, so it's incumbent upon the filmmakers to innovate and complicate and layer that. And on a purely narrative level, I think they did it.”
[02:48]

He praises the film's narrative structure, particularly its unfolding over a single night and the clever switching of viewpoints between the family and Blake's perspective. However, he expresses disappointment in the film's third-act reveal, finding it underwhelming compared to "The Invisible Man".

Ba Parker's Critique

Ba Parker offers a more critical view:

“I thought it was fine compared to Invisible Man, which was like a distressing horror film. This felt slightly milquetoast in how it was trying to address, we'll say, toxic masculinity within the universal monsters."
[04:02]

She highlights the film's attempt to tackle themes like toxic masculinity but feels it falls short, lacking the impactful execution seen in "The Invisible Man".

Jennifer Joelle's Analysis

Jennifer Joelle delves into deeper thematic concerns:

“My problem as a horror freak is, like, it wasn't scary at all... I have a sneaking suspicion that Hollywood is over-sexualizing monsters. And they're like, what if we just made them all ugly and I'm not here for it.”
[05:54]

She criticizes the film for its lack of genuine fear and unattractive creature design, arguing that the allure of classic monsters often lies in their rugged, less glamorous appearances.

Linda Holmes' Frustration

Echoing some of the critiques, Linda Holmes shares her frustration:

“What is this supposed to be about? Because it opens with this long set piece of young Blake with his father out in the deer stand... I just do not think you can jump to a monster idea for a person with a degenerative illness.”
[08:08]

She is particularly troubled by the film's attempt to metaphorically represent degenerative diseases through werewolf transformations, feeling it trivializes serious conditions like Alzheimer's.

Thematic Muddiness

Glenn Weldon summarizes a key issue:

“The central thematic muddiness of this film... it didn't really decide on what it's about.”
[16:00]

He contrasts it with more thematically clear horror films and suggests that "Wolfman" lacks the narrative focus needed to leave a lasting impact.

2. Honoring David Lynch

Mid-episode, the hosts pause to mourn the passing of the iconic director David Lynch at age 78. Glenn Weldon reflects on Lynch's profound influence on film and television:

“He was a filmmaker drawn to the world of dreams, the power of dreams... Mulholland Drive uses dream logic.”
[23:34]

He recommends "Mulholland Drive" and the eighth episode of "Twin Peaks: The Return" as essential viewing to understand Lynch's unique storytelling approach, which emphasizes emotions and surreal imagery over traditional narrative structures.

Linda Holmes adds:

“Nothing so weird had probably ever aired on network TV... it changed how storytelling was approached.”
[25:33]

She underscores Lynch's ability to infuse mainstream media with avant-garde elements, making his work accessible yet profoundly impactful.

3. What's Making Us Happy This Week?

Jennifer Joelle's Delight: "The Agency"

Jennifer Joelle expresses her enthusiasm for "The Agency" on Paramount+:

“It stars Michael Vassbender, Jeffrey Wright, and Jodie Turner-Smith... one of the best pilots I've seen in a long, long time.”
[20:15]

She praises the show's blend of romance and espionage, highlighting director Joe Wright's ability to craft a beautifully filmed and well-written narrative.

Ba Parker's Nostalgia: "The Pit"

Ba Parker shares her joy in rediscovering "The Pit" on Max:

“It's basically ER in Pittsburgh... having to deal with someone who's trying to tell a family that their child is brain dead.”
[21:27]

She appreciates the series for its realistic portrayal of emergency room scenarios, blending nostalgia from the original "ER" series with fresh, honest storytelling.

Linda Holmes' Recommendation: Philomena Kunk's Audiobooks

Responding to social media inquiries for light and funny audiobooks, Linda Holmes recommends Philomena Kunk's works:

“They are like a dictionary by a person who doesn't know anything, which means if you get distracted, your attention wanders, you can come right back to it.”
[20:56]

She finds comfort and laughter in the character's uninformed yet amusing proclamations, making it an ideal pick for difficult moments.

4. Final Thoughts

Wrapping up, Linda Holmes reflects on the episode's rich discussions, from dissecting the shortcomings of "Wolfman" to celebrating the legendary contributions of David Lynch. The hosts encourage listeners to explore the recommended shows and audiobooks, fostering a community of shared pop culture enthusiasm.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Glenn Weldon: “There is an element of, given the premise that you said, there's an element of, we know where this is going, so it's incumbent upon the filmmakers to innovate and complicate and layer that. And on a purely narrative level, I think they did it.”
  [02:48]

• Ba Parker: “This felt slightly milquetoast in how it was trying to address toxic masculinity within the universal monsters."
  [04:02]

• Jennifer Joelle: “It wasn't scary at all... I have a sneaking suspicion that Hollywood is over-sexualizing monsters.”
  [05:54]

• Linda Holmes: “What is this supposed to be about?... I don't think you can jump to a monster idea for a person with a degenerative illness.”
  [08:08]

• Glenn Weldon: “The central thematic muddiness of this film... it didn't really decide on what it's about.”
  [16:00]

• Glenn Weldon on David Lynch: “He was a filmmaker drawn to the world of dreams, the power of dreams... Mulholland Drive uses dream logic.”
  [23:34]

• Jennifer Joelle: “One of the best pilots I've seen in a long, long time.”
  [20:15]

• Ba Parker: “It's basically ER in Pittsburgh... trying to tell a family that their child is brain dead.”
  [21:27]

• Linda Holmes: “They are like a dictionary by a person who doesn't know anything, which means if you get distracted, your attention wanders, you can come right back to it.”
  [20:56]

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Produced by Hafsa Fathoma and Lennon Sherburne | Edited by Mike Katzif and Jessica Reedy | Theme Music by Hello.co.

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