The Howling

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The Howling

R

1981

1h 31m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

76%

Tomatometer

127 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

25,000+ Ratings

In Los Angeles, television journalist Karen White (Dee Wallace) is traumatized in the course of aiding the police in their arrest of a serial murderer. Her doctor recommends that she attend an isolated psychiatric retreat led by Dr. George Waggner (Patrick Macnee). But while Karen is undergoing therapy, her colleague Chris (Dennis Dugan), investigates the bizarre circumstances surrounding her shock. When his work leads him to suspect the supernatural, he begins to fear for Karen's life.

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Critics Consensus

The Howling packs enough laughs into its lycanthropic carnage to distinguish it from other werewolf entries, with impressive creature effects adding plenty of bite.

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J. Hoberman

Village Voice

2d

It's a superior entertainment -- as creepy, witty, and suggestive as its disreputable genre would warrant.

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Archer Winsten

New York Post

2d

Director Joe Dante has handled these horrible horror without a qualm.

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Owen Gleiberman

Boston Phoenix

2d

If it's too clever for its own good, the movie is also full of entertaining ideas and special effects, and a lunatic wit seems to bubble up every time there's a lull in the action.

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Kirk Honeycutt

Escondido Times-Advocate (CA)

2d

If "The Howling" doesn't get you with pure fright, it'll kill you with laughter.

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Paul Taylor

Monthly Film Bulletin

2d

Were it not for the gruesome efficacy of Rob Bottin's expert special make-up effects, the whole ironic edifice might be overbalanced by its in-joke knowingness.

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David Sterritt

Christian Science Monitor

2d

The first half is dull... the second half is sparked mainly by some technically brilliant special effects.

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steve

Apr 28

Absolute CLASSIC werewolf flick!!! Worth the watch for old school nostalgia 80s horror.

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Aaron S.

@Aaron0309 Feb 17

The Howling has great practical effects and a surprisingly strong storyline, making it one of the most memorable werewolf films for me.

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Farah R.

@Farah Feb 13

The Howling boasts the best werewolf transformation through practical effects since An American Werewolf in London. That scene alone makes up for the slow pace and predictable plot.

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James H.

@420Drive-in Jan 23

The howling is a top tier monster movie. The practical effects rival that of An American werewolf in London. This is a truly gritty adaptation of werewolf lore and is definitely worth a watch.

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Stephen O.

@DonSevo Nov 27

Solid werewolf movie. The suspense is palpable at times, and the effects are quite convincing. I would say that the werewolves are akin to Dog Soldiers. It has its flaws for sure, but great movie overall. I definitely recommend at least one watch on this.

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Kim P

@RT98672688 Nov 1

The female werewolf looks more glamorous than half the women I ever dated. Hard to look scary when you're done up like you belong on the cover of Elle or Cosmopolitan. Pretty much knocked the movie down a notch in my estimation.

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Joe Dante

Director

Dee Wallace

Karen White

Patrick Macnee

Dr. George Waggner

Dennis Dugan

Chris

Christopher Stone

R. William (Bill) Neill

Belinda Balaski

Terry Fisher

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Synopsis

In Los Angeles, television journalist Karen White (Dee Wallace) is traumatized in the course of aiding the police in their arrest of a serial murderer. Her doctor recommends that she attend an isolated psychiatric retreat led by Dr. George Waggner (Patrick Macnee). But while Karen is undergoing therapy, her colleague Chris (Dennis Dugan), investigates the bizarre circumstances surrounding her shock. When his work leads him to suspect the supernatural, he begins to fear for Karen's life.

Director: Joe Dante
Producer: Daniel H. Blatt, Jack Conrad, Michael Finnell, Steven A. Lane
Screenwriter: Gary Brandner, John Sayles, Terence H. Winkless
Distributor: AVCO Embassy Pictures, MGM/UA Home Entertainment Inc., Image Entertainment Inc., Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Distributing Corp.
Production Co: AVCO Embassy Pictures
Rating: R
Genre: Horror
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 3, 1981, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 3, 2017
Runtime: 1h 31m

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