Though the overall narrative and atmosphere do lack at points, The Howling nevertheless makes for a quite solid horror flick that showcases director Joe Dante tackling the werewolves subgenre to a suitably commendable measure.

Rob Bottin's practical werewolf effects/designs in this are definitely the film's key highlight especially as The Howling gets going along, and while it does take a bit to get there due to a rather poorly paced middle act, they unquestionably still impress to this day.

Director Joe Dante likewise favorably handles the horror elements fairly well here as he adequately depicts it in a mostly straightforward way with a touch of self-awareness here and there without going too far to make this one a horror-comedy like…