| Werewolf | |
|---|---|
| Type | Monsters |
| Lore Origin | European Folklore |
| Seasons | S2, S8, S9, S10, S12 |
| Kill Method | Silver |
Werewolves in Supernatural follow a familiar template with some notable twists. They are humans infected with lycanthropy, a condition transmitted through bites or inherited genetically. During the full moon, they transform and are driven by an irresistible compulsion to feed — specifically on human hearts. Most werewolves have no memory of their actions while transformed, waking to discover what they have done.
Appearance & Abilities
Supernatural's werewolves do not transform into full wolves. The change is more subtle: elongated canine teeth, clawed fingernails, enhanced musculature, and feral behavior. Their eyes take on a reflective, animalistic quality. In later seasons, the show introduced "purebloods" — born werewolves who can control their transformation and shift at will, independent of the lunar cycle. These purebloods retain full awareness and intelligence while transformed.
Werewolves possess enhanced strength, speed, and senses in both human and transformed states, though these abilities peak during the full moon. Their sense of smell is particularly acute. They heal faster than normal humans but are not as regenerative as some other creatures in the bestiary.
In Supernatural
Werewolves first appeared in Season 2, Episode 17, "Heart." Sam became romantically involved with Madison, a woman who turned out to be a werewolf unaware of her own condition. When it became clear the condition was permanent and uncontrollable, Sam was forced to kill her — one of the show's earliest emotionally devastating monster-of-the-week conclusions.
The mythology was significantly expanded in Season 8 with the introduction of pureblood werewolves and the concept of werewolves who choose to eat animal hearts instead of human ones, allowing them to maintain their humanity. Garth Fitzgerald, a recurring hunter character, was bitten and turned in Season 9 but managed to live peacefully among a pureblood pack that abstained from human hearts.
Real-World Folklore
Werewolf mythology is ancient and widespread. The earliest known written account is the Epic of Gilgamesh, where a shepherd is turned into a wolf. Greek mythology includes the story of Lycaon, a king transformed into a wolf by Zeus as punishment. Norse tradition features berserkers and úlfheðnar (wolf-warriors) who channeled wolf spirits in battle. European werewolf trials paralleled witch trials in the 16th and 17th centuries, with numerous people executed for alleged lycanthropy.
The silver vulnerability, the full moon trigger, and the bite as transmission method are largely modern additions popularized by cinema (particularly The Wolf Man, 1941). Supernatural adheres to these conventions while adding the heart-eating compulsion, which is not part of traditional folklore.
Weaknesses
Silver is lethal. Silver bullets to the heart are the standard kill method, but any silver weapon penetrating a vital area will work. There is no cure for lycanthropy in the show (though this was explored and rejected in "Heart"). The pureblood ability to control the transformation suggests that the condition's worst aspects can be managed but not eliminated.