The Howling
"One of the best werewolf movies ever made!" -Los Angeles
From the director of Gremlins and Piranha comes the ultimate masterpiece of primal terror. Filled with edge-of-your-seat suspense, "Genuine thrills [and] amazing special effects" (Us), this riveting werewolf tale sinks its teeth into your deepest fears and never lets go.
Severely shaken after a near-fatal encounter with a serial killer, TV newscaster Karen White (Dee Wallace, E.T.) takes some much-needed time off. Hoping to conquer her inner demons, she heads for "the Colony," a secluded retreat where her new neighbors are just a tad too eager to make her feel at home. Also, there seems to be a bizarre link between her would-be attacker and this supposedly safe haven. And when, after nights of being tormented by savage shrieks and unearthly cries, Karen ventures into the forest to find answers, she makes a terrifying discovery. Now she must fight not only for her life... but for her very soul!
Member Reviews
Great ending - Wentai
I love werewolf movies, especially the Ginersnap trilogy which had the two girls in a variety of times and places, at least according to my interpretation. This was just as good, and the ending was magnificent. Kudos to the other reviewer who also loved the ending without giving away spoilers -- this was a neat tying up of loose ends and pretty cool. It's one of the few good movies of the early 80's.Not quite the werewolf classic - rdees
The film starts out on a dark yet promising note - an encounter with a shadowy beast in a porn shop viewing booth - and yet immediately thereafter takes some pretty terrible turns, ending up as a massive disappointment. Part of the problem is that the action leaves the city behind for the countryside, and my feeling is that werewolves are more compelling and threatening figures in an urban environment. For me, the countryside setting robs the story of its potential to resonate with more contemporary significance, and it becomes just another spook story.
The special effects that this film is famous for are indeed classic 80s - the werewolf transformations are disturbing, excruciatingly slow and showy - and I remember this film being featured prominently in the best special effects books of the time. But the plot is quite banal, and only gets interesting again at the finale, with this strange final gesture on camera by the newswoman who is at the centre of the plot... I won't give it away, but it's an interesting idea, and the only poignant moment on offer. Shame that the film couldn't offer more.Not as good as I expected - MadMax
I loved Gremlins and since Joe Dante also directed this, I thought it would be a howl. The first hour is fairly boring but the film does pick up in the last 30 mins.
A semi-treat for horror fans but others can leave it behind. 2.5 stars out of 5.
Member Reviews
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Great ending - Wentai
I love werewolf movies, especially the Ginersnap trilogy which had the two girls in a variety of times and places, at least according to my interpretation. This was just as good, and the ending was magnificent. Kudos to the other reviewer who also loved ...Not quite the werewolf classic - rdees
The film starts out on a dark yet promising note - an encounter with a shadowy beast in a porn shop viewing booth - and yet immediately thereafter takes some pretty terrible turns, ending up as a massive disappointment. Part of the problem is that the action ...Not as good as I expected - MadMax
I loved Gremlins and since Joe Dante also directed this, I thought it would be a howl. The first hour is fairly boring but the film does pick up in the last 30 mins.
A semi-treat for horror fans but others can leave it behind. 2.5 stars out of 5.