‘The Howling’ Review: Werewolf Horror Film Best Enjoyed Whist the Moon is Full and the Bullets are Silver

Finding an old horror classic that’s new to me is a goal every spooky movie season.

I had never watched “The Howling,” Joe Dante’s 1981 werewolf picture, but I have heard it referenced countless times. Clips looked terrifying. The grainy resolution of an early 80s horror film would have scared me as a kid. But now, I am ready for the challenge.

Based on a novel by Gary Brandner of the same name, “The Howling” is one of the three werewolf-themed horror films dropped that same year, with the others being “An American Werewolf in London” and “Wolfen.”

This makes sense historically as 1981 saw the horror genre emerging from the iconic slasher and demonic hits of the 70s. The film served as a vehicle for Joe Dante to direct “Gremlins” three years later.

Werewolf Horror

Werewolves first appeared in a poem called Epic of Gilgamesh, penned 2100 years before Christ – Haysus! The first time a werewolf was depicted on film was the 1913 silent short, The Werewolf.

Here, we open with a seemingly normal police type procedural, unexpectantly interrupted by the presence of the creatures.

Karen White (Dee Wallace) is a news anchor being stalked by a serial killer. The first one third of the movie deals with Karen and the assailant. I was a bit confused.

Once that plot is wrapped up, her therapist, Dr. George Waggner (Patrick Macnee) sends Karen and her husband (Wallace’s real life spouse Christopher Stone) to a secluded resort in the middle of the woods.

Karen hears creepy howls in the woods at night. “You were raised in LA.” Karen’s husband condescends when she expresses fear. “The wildest thing you ever heard was Wolfman Jack.”  

Of course, the town locals turn out to be hiding a deadly secret. Spoiler alert – they are werewolves!

Fun Cast

Dee Wallace is an icon of 80s cinema. I remember her as the mom in “ET,” “Cujo,” and seemingly a dozen other things. Her trajectory was 80s version of Jamie Lee Curtis, but she ended up as more of a B lister and that’s okay. She found a niche and excelled at it.

My favorite character award goes to Karen’s friend Terry (the beautiful Belinda Balaski) who just looks the part of slasher era werewolf fodder.

Horror icons Kevin McCarthy, John Carradine, and Slim Pickens lend support, as does Dick Miller, who would also gain fame in the forthcoming “Gremlins.”

Scary?

“The Howling” has a cool, atmosphere and setting. I really liked the sound effects of the howling wolves at night. It gave me goosebumps, which doesn’t often happen.

While some of the special effects are laughable, other moments are excellent. One scene depicting two characters transitioning is a perfect blend of practical effects and technical limitations – a pair that leads to memorable terror.

Overall, “The Howling” is a meh sorta movie. Its worth a watch if you haven’t seen it before. It would make a great accompaniment for a lights out bowl of popcorn night amidst Two Months of Terror.