An American Werewolf in London

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Spencer Nielsen While I don’t find An American Werewolf in London as viscerally terrifying as others, I find its use of genre as satire to be regularly chilling. Landis’s use of monster-as-metaphor is brilliant his werewolf is simultaneously a universal stand-in for the other, as well as a personal stand-in for the anxieties of a Jewish-American. And of course, the transformation scene is iconic for a reason. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 09/14/24 Full Review Daniel E Great 80s movie Great blend of Horror and Comedy, and an amazing cast. This is one of my favourite horror comedy movies of all time, I always rewatch this whenever I have the chance The transformation scene was really well done. There was a reason this won best make-up Not only that, but John Landis would direct Michael Jackson's Thriller in 1982, with Rick Baker doing the WereCat make-up. In whom collaborated on American Werewolf in London 10/10 movie Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/25/25 Full Review Michael B A Tragedy in Fur and Fog There’s a deep, aching loneliness at the heart of An American Werewolf in London—one that howls louder than any monster ever could. It begins with laughter. Two young Americans, David and Jack, backpacking across the English countryside, full of naïve curiosity and banter. The night is cold, the moors are empty, and the locals issue a warning they won’t survive long enough to understand. What follows is not just horror, but grief in transformation—a boy who becomes a beast, and a beast who remembers he used to be a boy. David’s transformation into a werewolf is a masterpiece of practical effects—visceral, bone-snapping, skin-stretching horror. But what’s more horrifying than the change is what comes after: the guilt, the isolation, the knowledge that the thing you’ve become is a killer, and that you’re still in there, watching it happen. Every scream, every torn throat, is another weight David can’t escape. He falls in love, almost by accident. Nurse Alex is warm, kind, and heartbreakingly human. Their brief moments together are tender, even sweet. But they feel borrowed, doomed from the start. David knows he’s counting down to the next full moon. We do too. Then there’s Jack—dead, decaying, and still cracking jokes. He appears again and again, urging David to end it all before more people die. His humor is a mask, but under it is the same sorrow: their friendship is over, and the world they knew has already bled away. By the time the final scene comes, it doesn’t feel like horror—it feels like mourning. David, cornered and still more man than monster. A flash. A shot. A naked body on the floor. And then silence. The love story ends before it can begin. The laughter is gone. The closing credits roll over a bouncy doo-wop rendition of “Blue Moon,” and somehow, that’s the saddest part of all. A horror film wrapped in comedy, blood, and wit, but at its core, it’s a lonely howl in the dark—about fate, loss, and the monsters we never asked to become. Grab Your Favorite beverage, Sit in you favorite chair, Pop some popcorn and Press Play and Don't forget your silver bullets. Rated 4.5/5 Stars •  Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 07/24/25 Full Review Jimmy M Like a fine wine, this film has aged beautifully and still holds its ground in 2025. I first watched it as a kid, and to this day, the werewolf transformation remains one of the most impressive ever put on screen. What truly sets it apart is its grounded realism—the parallel transformation between two friends adds emotional weight, and the ending is refreshingly conclusive, avoiding the typical cliffhanger trope. The soundtrack is perfectly matched to the film—truly music to my ears. Even now, many directors attempt to recreate the magic of a great werewolf film, but few come close. Much like the original Superman holds its place among the greatest superhero films, this stands firmly as one of the best werewolf movies of all time. And if you don’t see it that way—maybe you’re just not seeing what I see. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/07/25 Full Review john h One of the greatest werewolf films ever made. Landis brings an influential direction of horror with the camera tracking scenes and the technical effects are applauding for its time. Rated 4/5 Stars •  Rated 4 out of 5 stars 06/05/25 Full Review Nick O There’s always been a shortage of good werewolf flicks and I think it’s because this one set the bar way to high with it’s biting humor and amazing Rick Baker make-up effects. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 05/28/25 Full Review Read all reviews

An American Werewolf in London

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