The small city of Tarker's Mills is startled by a series of sadistic murders. The population fears the work of a maniac, but sightings of a mysterious, hairy creature soon spread. People lock themselves up at night, but there's one boy who's still outside…
Practical Effects
Carlo Rambaldi's werewolf design is gloriously unhinged puppet nightmare fuel.
Acting
Gary Busey delivers unhinged uncle energy that elevates every scene.
Writing
Stephen King's novella adaptation keeps small-town dread surprisingly punchy.
Director
Dan Attias
Gary Busey
Uncle Red
Everett McGill
Reverend Lowe
Tovah Feldshuh
Older Jane (voice)
Megan Follows
Jane Coslaw
Corey Haim
Marty Coslaw
Terry O'Quinn
Sheriff Joe Haller
Robin Groves
Nan Coslaw
Leon Russom
Bob Coslaw
Bill Smitrovich
Andy Fairton
Kent Broadhurst
Herb Kincaid
James A. Baffico
Milt Sturmfuller
Lawrence Tierney
Owen Knopfler
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was Dan Attias's feature directorial debut after extensive television work; he later directed episodes of The Wire, Homeland, and Succession.
The film adapts King's 'Cycle of the Werewolf,' a 1983 illustrated novella with Bernie Wrightson's graphic novel aesthetics—explaining the creature's more comic-book proportions.
US
