Howl

Good “Werewolves on a Train” flick, but no depth or moral

When a train in England is forced to make an emergency stop in a notorious forest, the passengers have to work together to survive the night against a pack of… werewolves.

"Howl" (2015) is an English production that combines the werewolves of “Howling VI: The Freaks” (1991) and “Dog Soldiers” (2002) with the train survival situation of “Short Walk to Daylight” (1972); the British countryside and characters also bring to mind “Dog Soldiers.” While the plot is naturally reminiscent of “Horror Express” (1972), “Howl” isn’t really like that movie mostly due to the modern setting (the events in “Horror Express” take place just after the Victorian Era in 1906).

It's an effective werewolf flick and good in many ways, but there's no meat on the bones. In the end it's pointless. But maybe that's the nihilistic non-message? There are three fairly worthy women, but the creators never really take advantage of their presence.

The film runs 1 hour, 29 minutes and was shot Black Park Country Park, Buckinghamshire, England and London (train interiors and station).

GRADE: B- (6/10