Unveiling Darkness: An In-depth Review of the 1981 Horror Thriller 'The Howling' Shrouding a Village of Werewolves

The 1981 movie, "The Howling", directed by Joe Dante, has been a subject of avid fan discussions for decades due to its deeply intricate storyline and unique take on the classic werewolf folklore. The flick boasts a star-studded cast with the likes of Dee Wallace, Patrick Macnee, Dennis Dugan, and Robert Picardo. These phenomenal actors bring the screenplay, penned by John Sayles from his novel "The Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf", to life with such nuance that it leaves an indelible mark on the viewer.

Plot of The Howling 1981

The intricate story is woven around Karen, an announcer on Channel 6, who is being hunted by a serial killer named Eddie. However, Eddie is no ordinary man, he is a creature of the night- a werewolf. The plot thickens as the police use Karen as bait to catch Eddie and the aftermath leads Karen to a place called Colony town. This quaint place carries a clandestine secret that all townsfolk are a part of a werewolf pack, practicing isolation from society.

Reporter Karen’s Going to Colony

Karen's journey to Colony is motivated by her traumatic encounter with Eddie, the werewolf. The serial killer had planned to kill her after making her witness his gruesome acts through erotic films. The police intervention not only saves Karen but also exposes Eddie's true monstrous form. Karen's life takes a chilling turn as she begins to forget parts of her ordeal.

Werewolf The Howling

Her memory loss and emotional trauma land Karen in the therapy sessions of Doctor George. His suggestion to recuperate in Colony town kick starts Karen's journey of horrifying discoveries and uncanny experiences. Besieged by wolf howls and unsettling encounters, Karen’s perception of the Colony starts to shift.

Karen's Memory Loss After Eddie’s Attack

Karen finds it hard to shake off the memories of Eddie’s eerie transformation and attack. The trauma-induced memory lapses lead her to Doctor George's therapy and ultimately to the Colony. The wolf howls that awaken her from sleep only amplify her fear and unsettlement.

Terry Comes to the Colony for Help

Karen's news anchor friend Terry, comes to her aid in the Colony. Suspicion of Eddie's existence leads Terry to exploration and a ghastly encounter with a werewolf. The attack changes the pacing of the story and propels it towards more sinister revelations.

The Werewolf Attacks Terry

The horrific scene of Terry’s confrontation with the Werewolf serves as a turning point, leading to Eddie's reprised onslaught. In this grisly tango of life and death, Terry manages to escape but not without heavy loss. His death sets motion to the ultimate revelation of the entire town being inhabitants of werewolves.

Unveiling the Truth of Colony’s Inhabitants

The truth of the Colony's residents being werewolves comes out in layers of ghastly revelations that leaves an imprint on both Karen and the audience. Karen's horrifying realization in the bunker sets her on the path to expose this hidden world filled with dark creatures.

Karen’s Transformation into a Werewolf

One of the shocking plot twists in the storyline is the transformation of Karen into a Werewolf. Her on-air transformation leads to her tragic death. But like a hero, she uses her last moments to expose the truth about werewolves to the world.

The Best Scenes in The Howling 1981

The climax of her life, her transformation scene, and subsequent tragic end remain one of the most mesmerizing scenes of the film. The use of special effects and makeup showcase the artistic expertise of the film industry back in the 1980s. Coupled with memorable scenes like the erotic and wild love-making scene between Marsha and Bill, Eddie's transformation, and Terry's assault, The Howling remains a monumental film in cinematic history.

Conclusion

"The Howling" does not merely stand as a classical werewolf film but also as a detective, psychological, and philosophical movie that has etched its profile in cinematic history. Deftly tackling a cornucopia of genres, it has succeeded in creating an unforgettable narrative about werewolves, presenting them as individuals cut off from society, which remains a novel concept in the corpus of cinematic history.