Embrace the darkness. Aaron Taylor-Johnson (Nosferatu) undergoes a bestial metamorphosis in the new trailer for Robert Eggers’ Werwulf.

Set in 13th-century England, Werwulf sees a mysterious creature stalk the land as local folklore becomes a terrifying reality. The film hits theaters on December 25 via Focus Features.

Eggers directs from a script he penned with his The Northman co-writer Sjón.

It’s not just our first glimpse at the medieval werewolf tale, it’s also a first look at Eggers’ unique visual approach. “We shot on 35mm film, and we used an orthochromatic treatment in post to make the skin tones more wrecked [with complexions that appear sickly or discolored]. Additionally, we’ve found a way to incorporate the grain structure of black-and-white film onto color film. So it has a very unique look.” Eggers recently told Esquire.

Eggers also noted that Taylor-Johnson spent time with a real wolf, studying its behavior for his cursed portrayal.

The filmmaker also recently teased, “It’s the darkest thing I’ve ever written. By far.”

That certainly seems to be the case with the new trailer.

Lily-Rose Depp (Nosferatu), Willem Dafoe (The Lighthouse), Ralph Ineson (The Witch), and Bodhi Rae Breathnach (Hamnet) also star.

Werwolf will also reunite Eggers with frequent collaborator Craig Lathrop, the production designer on all his previous works.

Like Eggers’ previous effort, Nosferatu, this bloody horror tale arrives in theaters on Christmas Day.