The Howling Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A newswoman gets therapy for a serial killer encounter, but the retreat is actually a werewolf colony where everyone’s a bit too hairy for comfort.

🍿 The Howling: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Sting Operation

Karen White, a TV news anchor, participates in a police sting to capture serial killer Eddie Quist. The encounter is traumatic, leaving Karen unable to recall the specifics of the event and deeply disturbed by the experience. She seeks help from her psychiatrist, Dr. George Waggner.

The Colony

Dr. Waggner suggests Karen and her husband, Bill, visit ‘The Colony,’ a secluded retreat where he treats patients. The Colony’s residents are odd, and strange howls echo through the night. Karen’s unease grows as she investigates the strange happenings around the retreat, uncovering unsettling evidence of animalistic behavior and violence.

Unraveling the Truth

Karen’s colleagues, Terry and Chris, investigate Eddie Quist’s past. They uncover disturbing drawings and information linking him to werewolves. They discover that Eddie’s body has disappeared from the morgue. Their investigation leads them to The Colony, where they suspect something sinister is occurring.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Karen White (Dee Wallace): A traumatized television newswoman who unwittingly uncovers a werewolf colony while seeking recovery.
• Dr. George Waggner (Patrick Macnee): The seemingly helpful psychiatrist who secretly leads the werewolf colony.
• Eddie Quist (Robert Picardo): The deranged serial killer and werewolf whose initial attack sets the events of the movie in motion.
• Bill Neill (Christopher Stone): Karen’s husband who, seeking to support her, becomes entangled in the werewolf’s sinister world.
• Chris Halloran (Dennis Dugan): Karen’s colleague who investigates the disappearances related to the serial killer and werewolf activity.
• Marsha Quist (Elisabeth Brooks): A seductive member of the werewolf colony who attempts to seduce Bill and further the pack’s agenda.
• Terry Fisher (Belinda Balaski): Karen’s friend and colleague who aids in the investigation, ultimately uncovering the truth about the Colony, but paying with her life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Erle Kenton: “You can’t tame what’s meant to be wild, Doc. It just ain’t natural.” – The eccentric hunter warns Dr. Waggner against trying to control the primal nature of the werewolves.
• Eddie: “I’m going to give you a piece of my mind.” – Eddie menacingly tells Karen just before his werewolf transformation in Dr. Waggner’s office.
• Karen White: “We have to warn people, Chris. Make them believe.” – Karen’s desperate plea to her colleague after realizing the horrifying truth about the Colony.
• Karen White: “I have proof.” – Karen states this right before transforming on live television, to expose the existence of werewolves.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $1,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $17,985,893
• Worldwide Gross: $17,985,893

💥 The Howling Reviews

Personal Review

I remember watching ‘The Howling’ late at night and being genuinely creeped out! The practical effects were amazing, and the whole werewolf colony concept was so original. The scene where the reporter transforms on live TV is forever etched in my mind. I think horror fans will love this movie for the transformations, but I was always impressed by the underlying dark humor. A unique werewolf flick, I’d say!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Horror fans”
  • “Werewolf movie enthusiasts”
  • “Fans of practical effects”
  • “Viewers interested in 80s horror cinema”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence”
  • “Gore”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Sexual content”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• Film Critic Daily: “Dante’s ‘The Howling’ blends horror with dark humor, thanks to Sayles’ script. Bottin’s effects are groundbreaking, though pacing lags at times. With Carradine and Miller, it pays homage to B-movies, making it a werewolf flick with a cult appeal.
• Horror Haven: “A news anchor’s therapy retreat turns into a nightmare when she discovers a werewolf colony. ‘The Howling’ delivers chills and transformations thanks to great makeup effects. The atmosphere is top-notch, making it a must-see for horror buffs.
• Indie Film Zone: “This film’s tongue-in-cheek approach, special effects, and cast make a cult werewolf classic. Dante’s homage to B-horror movies gives it charm. It balances horror and satire, a unique entry for genre fans, with familiar faces and in-jokes.

Audience Reactions

The transformation scenes are still impressive and gruesome, especially for the early 80s.: Viewers loved the practical effects, witty script, and how it blended horror with dark comedy.

The werewolf transformations scenes are so long that they induce laughter instead of fear: Critics thought this movie was to humourus to be considered scary.

Overall Consensus: ‘The Howling’ is praised for special effects, dark humor, and its original take on the werewolf myth. Despite some pacing issues, it remains a classic with a dedicated following.

Awards

1. Saturn Award (Best Horror Film)- 1981

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Rick Baker was originally slated to do the special effects for The Howling, but he left to work on An American Werewolf in London. Rob Bottin, his assistant, took over and created the groundbreaking werewolf transformations.”
• “Director Joe Dante is known for filling his films with in-jokes and references to other horror movies and filmmakers. Many characters in The Howling are named after horror directors.”
• “The film’s satire of self-help culture and media sensationalism was a key element, setting it apart from more straightforward horror films.”
• “The campfire transformation scene between Marsha and Bill was considered quite risque for its time, combining nudity and the grotesque.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Howling?

The Howling is available for purchase or rental on various platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. At the time of this writing, it is not available on major subscription-based streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, or Disney+.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Howling, you might like these similar films:

• An American Werewolf in London (1981): A direct comparison, released the same year, featuring groundbreaking practical effects and a blend of horror and dark humor in a werewolf story.
• Dog Soldiers (2002): A modern equivalent, focusing on a group of soldiers battling werewolves in a remote location, emphasizing action and practical effects.
• The Company of Wolves (1984): Thematically similar, exploring werewolf mythology through a dark, fairytale lens with strong social commentary.
• Silver Bullet (1985): Direct Comparison, another werewolf movie, where a child in a wheelchair tries to take down a werewolf on a rampage.

🛒 The Howling Related Products

• The Howling [Blu-ray]: Collector’s edition Blu-ray with behind-the-scenes footage, interviews, and commentary. Great for fans.
• The Howling Movie Poster: High-quality print of the original movie poster, perfect for decorating a home theater or horror collection.
• The Howling Graphic Novel: A new graphic novel adaptation of the film, capturing the horror and suspense in a visually stunning format.
• Werewolf Costume: This Halloween be a movie quality Howling-inspired Werewolf with movie quality makeup.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Howling features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Main Title” – performed by Pino Donaggio
• “Discovery” – performed by Pino Donaggio
• “Howling Chicken” – performed by Rick Fienhage and Joyce Fienhage

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The SCARIEST Werewolf Movie Ever Made?

Think The Howling is scary? This video dives into why it might just be *the* scariest werewolf movie ever! It’s a fun watch if you’re curious about what makes this film so memorable.

10 Things You Didnt Know About Howling

Want some cool trivia about The Howling to impress your friends? This video reveals 10 things you probably didn’t know about the movie. Seriously, some of these are mind-blowing!

This Werewolf Movie is One Howl of a Good Time!

Is The Howling worth watching? The Horror Geek definitely thinks so! Check out this review for an enthusiastic take on why this movie is a werewolf classic — you might just agree!

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