Howl (2015)

A Claustrophobic Werewolf Horror on the Rails

Released in 2015, Howl is a British horror film directed by Paul Hyett, best known for his work in special effects and makeup on genre projects like The Descent and The Woman in Black. With his directorial effort here, Hyett crafts a tense survival horror that blends the atmosphere of a creature feature with the confined setting of a midnight train journey. The result is a film that, while modest in scale, delivers a refreshing spin on werewolf lore through claustrophobic suspense, gruesome effects, and a desperate fight for survival.

The story begins with Joe, played by Ed Speleers, a weary train guard who has just been denied a promotion. Reluctantly, he accepts a late-night shift, overseeing a routine train journey through rural England. What seems like a simple assignment quickly turns into a nightmare when the train breaks down in a remote woodland area. The passengers, already frustrated and restless, soon find themselves stalked by something lurking in the darkness outside. When one of the passengers is attacked and brutally mauled, Joe realizes they are dealing with a pack of vicious werewolves.

Forced to take on an unexpected leadership role, Joe must rally a group of disparate and often uncooperative passengers, including Ellen (Holly Weston), the train’s food cart attendant, and a mix of working-class travelers and arrogant professionals. Tensions rise not only from the external threat but also from the clashing personalities within the carriage. As the night unfolds, the survivors must decide whether to stay barricaded inside or risk venturing out into the forest, all while the bloodthirsty creatures close in.

One of the film’s strengths lies in its setting. The train becomes both a refuge and a trap, amplifying the tension as characters are confined to narrow aisles and cramped compartments. This claustrophobic atmosphere gives the film a relentless sense of pressure, heightening each moment of panic when the werewolves attempt to break through. Hyett’s experience in special effects also shines through, with the creatures brought to life using a mix of practical effects and prosthetics. The werewolves are designed not as traditional wolf-like beasts but as terrifying, humanoid hybrids—feral, towering, and unsettling in their movements.

Performances are solid, with Ed Speleers effectively portraying Joe as an underdog thrust into reluctant heroism. Holly Weston provides a sympathetic counterbalance as Ellen, while the supporting cast—ranging from Sean Pertwee to Sam Gittins—help flesh out the dynamic of ordinary people forced into extraordinary circumstances. The film wisely spends time on character development early on, so when the attacks begin, the tension feels more personal and engaging.

Visually, Howl takes advantage of its nighttime forest backdrop, using shadows, dim lighting, and sudden flashes of gore to maximize suspense. The cinematography keeps the creatures partially obscured until critical moments, allowing imagination and fear to do much of the work before delivering full, gruesome reveals. The sound design also deserves mention, with guttural growls, echoing howls, and the screech of train metal merging into an unnerving soundscape.

While Howl does not reinvent the werewolf genre, it succeeds in offering an entertaining and tense survival story. Some critics noted its adherence to familiar creature-feature tropes, but many praised its effective atmosphere, practical monster design, and straightforward execution. For fans of werewolf horror—or anyone who enjoys the blend of confined survival settings with relentless monsters—Howl is a hidden gem worth discovering.

Ultimately, Howl is a thrilling ride into the night, combining the primal terror of classic werewolf tales with the nerve-wracking tension of being trapped in a confined space. It reminds viewers that sometimes the scariest journeys are the ones where there’s no way forward, no way back, and danger waiting just outside the door.