Horror Movie Review: Howling: New Moon Rising (1995)

Directed, produced, and written by Clive Turner, the seventh film in The Howling film series, Howling: New Moon Rising is a special kind of bad. One that almost reaches ‘so bad, it’s good’ territory, and one that ends up being memorable, but for all the wrong reasons.

Reasons like the fact that it, lazily, reuses footage from the previous three sequels in the Howling series, and even features characters from each film. Why? Well, hilariously, this entry tries to link several of the films together. Making it the first Howling sequel since Howling II: Your Sister Is a Werewolf to try and have continuity with other films.

That’s irable and would be a positive, except it’s messy and mostly pointless, and results in the aforementioned reuse of previous film footage. Which is the first clue that Howling: New Moon Rising’s story is problematic. However, nothing can prepare you for how non-existent the story is.

Ted Smith (Clive Turner) is a mysterious Australian drifter who has arrived in Pioneertown, California, getting a job at the local bar and quickly becoming a popular guy thanks to his likable personality. His arrival though has coincided with a spate of animal deaths that appear to be the work of a large animal. Coincidence?

A detective (John Ramsden) isn’t so sure and things get decidedly more serious when the body of a woman is found in the desert nearby. Who or what is responsible? Father John (John Huff) believes it to be the work of a werewolf, which according to him, are the result of demonic possession. Of course, the detective doesn’t believe that, at least until Father John gives him an extensive history lesson which ties into the previous three films.

Is there really a werewolf on the loose? If so, who is it? What does the mysterious Ted know, and will he have any dialogue that isn’t just a pun or a joke?

Oh, didn’t you know? Howling: New Moon Rising is a comedy horror and not a funny one at that. Filled with braindead humour, fart jokes, and a constant state of awkwardness, you will find yourself watching the movie through your fingers, all because of second-hand embarrassment. It might sound like hyperbole but Howling: New Moon Rising really is that bad. Yet, you will find yourself watching on, just to see if it gets worse, and it really does.

Not only is the film padded with reused footage, but it’s also padded out with long scenes in the bar, country pop songs being performed (in full), and line-dancing. I kid you not, this film is packed with scenes of line-dancing. It’s so weird, and so memorable, but like I said, for all the wrong reasons. It’s not likely that this could have turned out worse, and while Clive Turner might have thrown his all into making this film, everything about it is an abject failure.

Have you noticed that I’ve not really mentioned what should be the most important thing about a Howling film? That’s because a werewolf is barely seen, and when we do finally get to see one, the transformation and following effect is laughably bad. Of course it is though, this is Howling: New Moon Rising, and it’s the worst entry in the franchise by some distance. Yet, should you be mad enough to watch it, you will it.