An American Werewolf in London

Name: An American Werewolf in London
Genre: Horror
Released: August 21, 1981
Duration: 97 min
Rating: 55
Cast: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter

1981

METASCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 15 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 111 Ratings

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7.9

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7.9	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 111 Ratings

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An American Werewolf In London

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Movie Details & Credits

Universal Pictures | Release Date: August 21, 1981 | R

Starring: David Naughton, Jenny Agutter

Summary: Blending the macabre with a wicked sense of humor, director John Landis (National Lampoon's Animal House) delivers a contemporary take on the classic werewolf tale in this story of two American tourists who, while traveling in London, find their lives changed forever when a vicious wolf attacks them during a full moon. (Universal)

Director: John Landis

Genre(s): Horror

Rating: R

Runtime: 97 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Budd Wilkins

The film’s indisputable centerpiece is the protracted werewolf transformation sequence. Read full review

Marjorie Baumgarten

This movie presented a radical melange of genuine horror and self-aware comic touches, not to mention the fabulous Rick Baker special effects. Read full review

Empire Pat Reid

Although AWIL's comedy/horror elements aren't always cosy bedfellows, the film retains its original, quirky charm. Great effects for the day, too. Read full review

The Guardian Peter Bradshaw

For me, it tends to be a recipe in which you can't taste either of the constituent ingredients. The big man-to-wolf transformation scene is still a marvel. Read full review

Janet Maslin

When the movie backfires, which it finally does, it's because too much grisly footage has been used too lightly. Mr. Landis's comic detachment, which has been fascinating throughout much of the movie, is something he holds on to even when a deeper response is needed. Eventually it becomes less comic than callow. Read full review

Staff (Not Credited)

In the cold light of day, it must be admitted that Landis leans too heavily on the shock effects provided by Rick Baker's lycanthropic transformation make-up. Read full review

Dave Kehr

It's a failure, less because the odd stylistic mix doesn't take (it does from time to time, and to striking effect) than because Landis hasn't bothered to put his story into any kind of satisfying shape. Read full review

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User Reviews

ballpark_frank

Nov 24, 2012

In my opinion, this is truly the best werewolf-themed movie of all time, effortlessly combining horror with comedy and presenting a transformation sequence which will probably never be matched. Also the background filler songs, all referencing the moon adds to the treat that this is. TheIn my opinion, this is truly the best werewolf-themed movie of all time, effortlessly combining horror with comedy and presenting a transformation sequence which will probably never be matched. Also the background filler songs, all referencing the moon adds to the treat that this is. The mood of the film bounces up and down like a biorhythm chart, with the extreme highs counterbalanced with the terrifying lows. Perhaps, to nitpick, a few things I didn't like about it include the bumbling law enforcers, and during the final transformation sequence, when David/"David" stares at his hand as it elongates - which actually became one of the iconic images people tend to use when referencing this movie. Otherwise, this is a modern classic. My favorite moments are those when "Jack" makes his visionary appearances, each one in a further state of decay. Place this on your bucket list - it's a must-see.… Expand

2 of 4 users found this helpful22

Panchogul

Jun 6, 2021

La mejor película de hombres lobo de toda la historia del cine, tan sólo la escena de la transformación le gana a cualquier cosa relacionada al tema.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

SMV

Dec 27, 2019

One of the best horror flicks ever made, very good for when it was made. I especially like the heavy muscled quadrapedal werewolf, like the classically depicted creature from medival European folklore. I watched this movie on VHS so much that the machine eventually ate the cassette.

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

TheWalrus2000

Apr 20, 2013

With outstanding and revolutionary make-up and howling special effects, An American Werewolf In London is a major success especially with its surprising blend of horror and humor.

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Spangle

Apr 7, 2017

An American Werewolf in London is just one of those films that, for whatever reason, kept getting put on the backburner. Fortunately, today, I was in the mood for a John Landis directed 1980s horror comedy and would you look at that, An American Werewolf in London fits the bill. Perhaps theAn American Werewolf in London is just one of those films that, for whatever reason, kept getting put on the backburner. Fortunately, today, I was in the mood for a John Landis directed 1980s horror comedy and would you look at that, An American Werewolf in London fits the bill. Perhaps the film's greatest flaw is simply not being long enough. Its 97 minute length is nice and concise, but it certainly leaves you wanting more and wishing that the film continued on, even if the age of the werewolves has come to a close. A fun and light horror comedy, An American Werewolf in London has excellent special effects, a fun and light tone, and yet is unafraid to broach the negative mental side effects of becoming a werewolf. While its spooks and laughs are its greatest weapons, its psychological elements are equally compelling.

After leaving a mysterious pub called The Slaughtered Lamb, American friends David (David Naughton) and Jack (Griffin Dunne) encounter a werewolf. The two had some hints, given the pentagram and general weirdness in the pub, that this town may have some weirdness about, plus a warning to "beware the moon" and stay near the road. As kids are prone to do, they forgot and wandered off the road. Attacked by a werewolf, Jack is killed and David, as he will learn, is set to turn into a werewolf. The lore in this film is excellent and really takes off as we learn that those killed by a werewolf walk the Earth and advise their werewolf killer to kill themselves in order to end the bloodline, allowing their victims to move on and no longer linger on Earth. For the werewolf, they turn into one with a full moon and must cope with seeing their victims on a regular basis. The emotional toll this takes on David when he sees Jack and others throughout the film drives him mad and questioning what is real all around him. It is a really interesting angle to add to a werewolf film and a great source of comedy undoubtedly, but also providing some emotional depth as we see the cost of becoming a werewolf on an average person. This emotional toll is also seen in the town where the initial attack takes place as we see them walk on eggshells to not alert anybody to what is going on and to practically deny to themselves that these werewolves are real.

Yet, the film's greatest accomplishments come via the special effects. From the excellent transformation scene to the progressive decomposition of Jack throughout the film, the special effects in this film are quintessentially 1980s to be sure, but still hold up in 2017. In particular, the transformation of David into the werewolf stands as the most impressive piece of this with the scene taking its time to show his slow transformation on the outside and the inside before showing his terrifying and fear-inducing final form as a werewolf. Immediately following it up with a truly thrilling sequence of David chasing a victim through a subway station that is not just well formed with a great attention to detail in the production design alongside (even hinting at the climax in a porno theater with a poster for the film playing there), merely adds a cherry on top of the icing of this cake.

An American Werewolf in London treads the tricky line between horror and comedy, yet does so marvelously. Its comedic undertakings can make its horror moments have a little less impact to be sure, but its horror still comes through in the aforementioned chase scene in the subway and other chase scenes, particularly the one to open the film with the werewolf circling David and Jack. These moments really speak to the film's ability to scare, but it is mostly more interested in making us laugh (given that Landis is directing) and in exploring the impact of becoming a werewolf on a man's psyche. An absolutely enjoyable experience that constantly delivers entertainment above and beyond the call of duty, An American Werewolf in London is an 80s classic that feels years ahead of it ahead in 1981. Funny, smart, and scary, An American Werewolf in London more than lives up to expectations.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

HellHoleHorror

Feb 15, 2022

I would love to have grown up in America just so that I could watch this film from a true American perspective and truly appreciated it. I thought that it was a very good film but you could tell that it was an American writing because of the slightly alternate perspective on the EnglishI would love to have grown up in America just so that I could watch this film from a true American perspective and truly appreciated it. I thought that it was a very good film but you could tell that it was an American writing because of the slightly alternate perspective on the English culture. This is a horror film with light comic undertones which I think were actually ahead of its time. The style is distinctly seventies even though it was made in the eighties. The story plays really well with solid progression and interesting sub-plots never taking attention away from the screen. Ignore the unbelievable elements and this is an amazing werewolf film. Probably the best werewolf film sandwiched between Ginger Snaps (2000) and The Howling (1981). I think that the light humour and interesting storytelling and some pertinent moments really make this a leader in the genre. I loved the detail of London conversely I hated the stuffy British people. The final scene was a climatic masterpiece probably never seen before or since to the same quality. It is not especially scary but I would still highly recommend this. Horrifically eerie, made me think that it could happen to me.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

shadowlord08

Dec 8, 2017

This is the worst werewolf film of all time. The story is completely stupid and lazy, I could write better crap than this and It would a million times more entertaining than this gong show. The acting is cheesy, the comedy is not even that funny and there is barely any screen time for theThis is the worst werewolf film of all time. The story is completely stupid and lazy, I could write better crap than this and It would a million times more entertaining than this gong show. The acting is cheesy, the comedy is not even that funny and there is barely any screen time for the werewolf. The worst of all is the the unbearably nauseating romance between David Kessler and Nurse Alex who both only met in the first few days and start snogging in the shower. Like any movies back in the 80's, the Americans are the stars with their clueless and annoying attitudes and end up getting laid with the first foreign girl they meet. Not to mention, sexy nurses were trendy back then and the English ladies do love the American boys. I still don't know why a lot of critics call this the best Werewolf movie ever, it was pretty retarded and really had no sense of genuine horror to it. The Wolfman is the greatest Werewolf film of all time and this film directed by a director who had no idea what werewolves really are. This is not a piece of horror art, this is what comes out of my ass and into the toilet after eating expired Chinese food… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

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