First Impressions of An American Wereworlf in London

Horror in Western Cinema, CU Denver, Spring 2024

Professor Jake Sabot

Although An American Werewolf in London (Landis, 1981) if filled with darkly comedic scenes, at its core, the film is a tragedy. Initially, the opening of the film seemed more like a gimmick rather than setting the stage for a horror narrative. However, as the story unfolds, it evokes feelings of sorrowful apprehension rather than the adrenaline-filled fear typically associated with horror films that ultimately leads the viewer to sympathize with the characters’ plight.

One of the early indications the film contains deeper layers than one might expect is the introduction of Jack’s ghost (Griffin Dunne) haunting David (David Naughton) in his hospital room after the first brutal werewolf attack. Despite the initial intimidation caused by Jack’s appearance, including the raw, gory injuries from the attack, this portrayal also humanizes Jack’s ghost for the audience. His gradual decay throughout the movie serves as a poignant metaphor for David’s survivor’s guilt, which is especially exacerbated when he is haunted by his own victims from his werewolf transformations further into the film. Rick Baker’s masterful special effects in these scenes intensify the grotesque horror, effectively immersing the audience in David’s emotional turmoil. As the audience experiences David’s inner conflict, torn between his reluctance to succumb to Jack’s urging to commit suicide and his desire to do so as he begins to transform, the absence of a tangible opponent or aggressor, common in many horror films, further underscores the tragedy of each character.

Once again through the practical effects, the iconic transformation scene in An American Werewolf in London juxtaposes visceral horror with the tragedy of David’s loss of humanity as he morphs into a monster. Through the development of David and Jack’s relationship, as well as David’s interactions with Nurse Alex Price (Jenny Agutter), the film effectively humanizes David before his transformation. The audience sees him in some of his most vulnerable moments, both emotionally such as in the hospital learning of Jack’s death, as well as physically through scenes where he is intimate with Nurse Price or when Jack appears as he is getting out of the shower. The meticulous attention to detail in the effects during the transformation heightens both fear and empathy in the audience, culminating in the shadow of the monstrous overwhelming the hero’s humanity.

The film reaches a profoundly sorrowful climax in David’s death scene, evoking complex emotions ranging from horror to a deep sense of loss. Despite the tense action sequences leading to David’s demise, including his rampage as a werewolf and the subsequent police pursuit, his relationship with Nurse Prices ultimately does not save him as it would in many other monster movies. This almost seemed to be where the movie was building to, and thus Nurse Price discovering David’s lifeless body, too late to save him, serves as a poignant reminder to the irreversible tragedy that has unfolded. The abrupt return to “normalcy” following David’s death, where he transforms back into a (fully naked and vulnerable) man, further accentuates the sense of loss experienced by the characters and audience alike.

In contrast to many horror films, where there is a clear line between protagonist and antagonist, An American Werewolf in London blurs these lines, portraying everyone, including the monster, as victims, effectively creating a tragedy enhanced by the shockingly grotesque realism of the special effects in key moments of the film.

Works Cited

Landis, John, director. An American Werewolf in London. Universal Pictures.