Horror Movie Review: Howling V: The Rebirth (1990)

Ok, where were we? I jest, of course, this franchise has no continuity. At least outside of the first two films. The only thing that links them is the name and the occasional bit of werewolf action. Yet, somehow, it continues to be an entertaining franchise to experience, with some genuinely creative ideas here and there. Bad films, for the most part, but memorable bad films.

Which brings us to Howling V: The Rebirth, a werewolf film with almost no werewolf action in it. Yet, it still manages to be a thoroughly entertaining watch with a great gothic location, watchable characters with some ‘unique’ acting, and a surprisingly compelling ‘whodunnit’ story. Yes, Howling V: The Rebirth is one of the better entries in the series, provided you can overlook the lack of werewolfery.

Directed by Neal Sundstrom from a screenplay by Freddie Rowe and Clive Turner, the film stars Philip Davis, Victoria Catlin, Elizabeth She, Ben Cole, and William Shockley.

The story surrounds an ancient castle in Budapest that is about to open its doors to the public for the first time in 500 years. Not since the family that owned it were massacred, of course. A story that has biblical connections and suggests the devil might have been a werewolf. So, how do you celebrate such a reopening? Invite a select group of people, seemingly randomly chosen (spoilers: it’s not actually random) to spend the weekend there.

The castle is gloriously gothic and begging to be explored. Even though a blizzard is raging outside, it’s warm and inviting, even if their host, The Count, is a little strange. He’s the least of anyone’s worries though, as it turns out, they’re not alone here. Someone else is in the castle, and one by one, our guests are picked off (often with their throats having been slashed). Of course, werewolves aren’t real, so just who is to blame?

It’s all about the ‘whodunnit’ and the film does a great job of keeping you guessing right up to the final reveal, which happens right as the credits begin to roll. Does it make much sense? Probably not, but you must applaud a film that manages to keep its antagonist hidden for so long. Even without the fun reveal, the mystery is compelling, even if the bulk of the film isn’t.

All because characters have what defines them, and that’s where it ends. It just so happens though, that what defines them is often very entertaining. Considering the sizeable cast it’s quite something when you realise that you kind of know everyone and in the case of a few, warmed to their idiosyncrasies. So much so that it’s easy to forget that this is a werewolf film.

Which is a problem too. It’s the fifth Howling film and not enough time is given to Howling related stuff. The mystery could still have worked with a bit more werewolf-based action, and what we do see in flashes is hardly notable. This also means we get very little in the way of blood, and while the body count is high, the majority of deaths are off-screen. After all, we have to keep the viewer wondering not only if there is a killer, but if a werewolf even exists.

Do you see the problem with that? It’s Howling V: The Rebirth.

Still, while all of this is worthy of complaint and may be too much for many to get over, I thought the film was very entertaining regardless. It’s up there as one of the better entries in this franchise and to achieve that, it had to pretty much abandon the thing it is actually based on, the werewolf.