The Howling
Few horror films balance schlock and sophistication quite like The Howling. Joe Dante takes the werewolf myth and gives it a sharp, satirical bite — part creature feature, part self-help parody, part therapy session with claws. It looks fantastic too: all fog, fangs, and early-’80s atmosphere, with effects that still impress long after the fur flies.
The cast have fun with it, from Dee Wallace’s nervy lead to John Carradine’s haunting turn as an ageing patient at “The Colony.” Beneath the camp and chaos, there’s a surprising streak of melancholy — a sense that transformation isn’t just terrifying, it’s inevitable.
And that finale? Gloriously audacious. The Howling may not rewrite the rulebook, but it delivers enough wit, atmosphere, and visceral flair to prove the full moon still has teeth.
The cast have fun with it, from Dee Wallace’s nervy lead to John Carradine’s haunting turn as an ageing patient at “The Colony.” Beneath the camp and chaos, there’s a surprising streak of melancholy — a sense that transformation isn’t just terrifying, it’s inevitable.
And that finale? Gloriously audacious. The Howling may not rewrite the rulebook, but it delivers enough wit, atmosphere, and visceral flair to prove the full moon still has teeth.
Mini Review: Joe Dante’s The Howling gives the werewolf myth a sharp, satirical bite — part creature feature, part self-help parody, part therapy session with claws. It looks terrific, with fog, fangs, and early-’80s flair. Dee Wallace leads with jittery charm, John Carradine haunts the edges, and that finale? Gloriously audacious. A witty, atmospheric chiller that proves the full moon still has teeth.
Watch the Trailer