Watch The Howling
- R
- 1981
- 1 hr 31 min
-
6.5 (41,340)
The Howling, released in 1981 and directed by Joe Dante, is a classic horror film that follows the story of Karen White (played by Dee Wallace), a TV reporter who is investigating a series of murders that appear to be the work of a serial killer. As Karen delves deeper into the case, she begins to suspect that the killer may be a werewolf.
Karen's investigation takes her to a remote mountain resort called The Colony, where she meets some of the residents, including Dr. Waggner (played by Patrick Macnee), a psychologist who claims to be studying a rare form of wolf psychology. Karen also meets a mysterious stranger named Eddie (played by Dennis Dugan), who seems to be hiding something.
As Karen begins to experience strange visions and nightmares, she becomes convinced that she is turning into a werewolf. She confides in her husband, Bill (played by Christopher Stone), but he dismisses her fears as paranoia. Karen turns to Dr. Waggner for help, but he seems to be more interested in keeping her at The Colony.
As the full moon rises, the truth about The Colony and its residents is revealed, and Karen finds herself in a fight for her life against a pack of werewolves. With the help of a fellow journalist named Chris (played by Belinda Balaski), Karen must try to escape The Colony before it's too late.
The Howling is a well-executed horror film that manages to be both suspenseful and terrifying. The special effects, done by Rick Baker, are particularly impressive, especially given the film's relatively low budget. The werewolves are both frightening and realistic, and the transformation scenes are some of the most memorable in horror movie history.
Dee Wallace gives a strong performance as Karen, and she conveys a sense of vulnerability and fear that makes her character sympathetic. Patrick Macnee is also excellent as Dr. Waggner, and his calm demeanor and gentle voice make him all the more unsettling. Dennis Dugan's mysterious Eddie adds an air of danger to the film, and his character's true nature is one of the film's many twists.
The Howling also features some social commentary, particularly in its portrayal of the media's sensationalization of violence and its critique of the self-help movement of the 1970s and 80s. The film suggests that these cultural movements may have contributed to the violence and depravity that the werewolves embody.
Overall, The Howling is a classic horror film that still manages to be scary and relevant more than 30 years after its release. The film's special effects, strong performances, and social commentary make it a must-see for horror fans.
The Howling is a 1981 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 31 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 68.