'The Howling' Movie Review

by nmraymond

Sunday, March 14, 2010 at 11:19 AM EDT

Directed by Joe Dante

The Howling tells the story of newswoman Karen White who is sent to a rehabilitation center known as The Colony after a bizarre and near fatal encounter with a serial killer.

But the other inhabitants of this rehabilitation center may not be who they seem. She is frightened by the prospect of remembering her encounter with the serial killer, but she might be in more danger from the strange residents of The Colony.

Accompanied by her husband Bill, Karen finds some peace in The Colony until her nights are filled with eerie howlings. Bill investigates, being attacked in the woods and getting in touch with his animal instincts.

The Howling was a solid werewolf story with some great tributes to other werewolf incarnations. Karen’s friends investigate werewolves and their lore while watching the 1941 film The Wolf Man. The sheriff of The Colony is eating a can of wolf chili as he grumbles on the telephone.

A signed picture of Lon Chaney, Jr. is the doctor’s office, and while investigating werewolf lore once again a cartoon incarnation of the wolf is being played in the background.

Smile pretty for the camera

These werewolves no longer want to live tamed, living amongst the humans.

But Karen survives, helping to destroy the werewolves and fleeing The Colony.

However, her survival comes with a cost when she tries to expose them on national television because she did not leave The Colony unscathed.

The Howling is another werewolf film that is a definite win in the werewolf department in special effects and in lore. The moon does not sway them; these werewolves will no longer be caged but they certainly have no choice but to live amongst the humans after Karen’s final news report.

This article originally appeared on Gruesome Details.