Netquix: An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Netflix content reviewed in 150 words. Or thereabouts.

An American Werewolf in London (1981)

Dir: John Landis

97 minutes

Comedy horror: you’re either The Fearless Vampire Killers or Lesbian Vampire Killers. And even the latter’s star described it as, “a pile of shit”.

Nurse doing nookie

"Got an Elastoplast?"

Brilliantly, American Werewolf director John Landis gives equal weight to each genre, skilfully blending them like the London and lycanthropy of the title. It helps that the laughs aren’t gag-based yuks, but organic character-driven moments that play to the strengths of the screenplay – believable leads enduring unbelievable horror with humour. Naughton’s anti-hero David Kessler is remarkably likeable: in an alien country harbouring a volatile alien within, it’s little wonder he has such violent dreams.

Landis’ lens captures the eye of a tourist, with stereotypically British iconography such as beat bobbies, Piccadilly Circus and fog-strewn moors. It may not endear him to English Heritage, but selling the location as standoffish and aloof serves the drama well – a doomed love story in an uncaring world of fur, fangs, fucking and fatalities. Beware the moon. And the sequel...

10/10