Kevin Coughlin

FULL WATCHALONG ~ AN AMERICAN WEREWOLF IN LONDON

Added 2024-10-24 07:41:51 +0000 UTC

*An American Werewolf in London* is the 1981 horror-comedy that redefined what it means to have a really, really bad backpacking trip. The film follows two American buddies trekking through the English countryside who quickly discover that the local legend about werewolves isn’t just a quaint tourist trap. After one of them, David (played by David Naughton), survives a brutal attack, he finds himself dealing with some very unusual side effects, like growing fangs, claws, and a sudden craving for raw meat. It’s the classic “boy meets girl, boy turns into a werewolf” story but with a wicked sense of humor and some of the best practical effects you’ll ever see.

Compared to today’s CGI-heavy werewolf flicks, *An American Werewolf in London* stands out for its jaw-dropping transformation scenes, courtesy of legendary makeup artist Rick Baker, which still look terrifyingly real over 40 years later. The movie brilliantly balances genuine horror with snarky, dark comedy, making you laugh one minute and cover your eyes the next. And let’s not forget the ghostly visits from David’s increasingly decomposed best friend, who keeps popping up to remind him of his impending doom like the worst travel companion ever. It’s a brilliantly twisted film that doesn’t just bite—it sinks its teeth in and never lets go, proving that sometimes, the scariest monsters are the ones that don’t take themselves too seriously.