The vicious, bloody homicide of a prominent businessman, his wife, and bodyguard in New York's Battery Park brings shaggy detective Dewey Wilson out to investigate. The three victims were partially dismembered, and forensics finds non-human evidence on the bodies and body parts. From that captivating start, Michael Wadleigh's 1981 mystery-thriller, "Wolfen," holds viewer interest throughout. Other corpses surface during the course of the investigation, and, mysteriously, while some body parts seem to have been gnawed or eaten, diseased or cancerous organs were rejected. While rarely straying off course, this engrossing film adds a dose of Native American mysticism and lore to unraveling the series of murders. Although Wilson is not a particularly demanding role, Albert Finney brings a weary depth of character that enhances what could have been a stock character. Diane Venora is adequate as Rebecca Neff, Wilson's co-worker and love interest, but Gregory Hines is excellent as the forensics expert, and Tom Noonan brightens his few scenes as a wolf enthusiast.Based on a novel by Whitley Strieber, Wadleigh, who also co-wrote the script with David Eyre, alludes to the killers' identity, but wisely keeps them off screen throughout most of the film. When only a pair of evil red eyes peer through the darkness, the imagination creates the horror. The killings and victims are subjectively seen through the killers's eyes with cinematographer Gerry Fisher's striking use of thermographic images, which add a surreal element. However, Fisher's non-thermographic photography is equally beautiful and turns the empty shells of churches and apartment buildings in the South Bronx into an otherworldly landscape consistent with the supernatural aspects of the story.Unfortunately, the eerie buildup and savagery of the murders create expectations that the final revelation cannot meet. However, despite a climax that brings the story to a soft-landing, "Wolfen" delivers for most of its running time. With a fine understated performance by Finney, evocative photography by Fisher, and a taut script by Wadleigh and Eyre, "Wolfen" is a gem from the early 1980's that deserves to be rediscovered.

Wolfen is absolutely a classic of the horror genre. Released in succession after the likes of Altered States, The Howling and An American Werewolf in London it actually provides more tension than the rest because it doesn't overdo the creature effects. The Howling is probably the most famous of the three films yet after purchasing and watching the blu-ray I realized something 33 years later... It's just not scary. The transformations are graphic but feel too long and drawn out now. As an adult I find that werewolves just are no longer scary. Neither is Dracula. At least American Werewolf was funny and had a charismatic lead. Where Wolfen exceeds it's genre roots is in it's attention to plot details and character development. Albert Finney is believable as a burned out cop and Gregory Hines is a treat as his co- star/sidekick the coroner. There are scenes in this film that work on a suspense level that few others can muster and the abandoned tenements provide a creepy location for their two man reconnaissance. As far as 80's horror goes this is essential viewing.

1981 is regarded by horror fans as the Year of the Werewolf. Three high profile films came along to revive the moribund sub-genre, pushing it to new extremes with cutting edge creature effects. "An American Werewolf in London" and "The Howling," both being masterpieces of varying degrees, get all the attention. However, "Wolfen," the third killer wolf movie of the year, shouldn't be overlooked. It's very different from the other two but valuable in its own right.Based off the debut novel of Whitley Strieber, back before the author lost his mind, the film follows police detective Dewey Wilson. A local millionaire and real estate developer, along with his wife and body guard, are mysteriously murdered. Paired up with police psychologist Rebecca, and with help from an eccentric zoologist and forensic mortician, Dewey further investigates the crime. The hairs of an unknown subspecies of wolves are found on the quickly piling up bodies. Dewey and Rebecca's paranoia begins to grow, both feeling stalked by wolf-like spirits. The local American Indian population calls them the Wolfen, beings halfway between wolves and gods. By why are they killing?"Wolfen" is ultimately structured like a detective story. We are presented with murders. Wilson and his pals investigate leads and clues. There are false starts, like the millionaire's activist niece or a militant Indian activist recently released from prison. As the clues slowly start to mount, the rational protagonists are forced to confront the impossible. Just when things are starting not to make sense, a character wanders in to provide some mystical exposition, setting up the last act where the murderer is revealed.The audience knows they're watching a horror movie, however. We know something unusual is happening. So the first hour of this two hour movie drags a bit. "Wolfen" attempts to build atmosphere by featuring mysterious POV shots, roaming first-person perspective with odd coloration. This effect is overused though, boring the audience. When unimportant characters are getting bumped off, it becomes clear that "Wolfen" is starting to spin its wheels. A stalking scene in an abandoned church really seems to go on. The first half at least takes the time to develop the relation between its protagonists, Albert Finney and Diane Venora developing a realistic romantic chemistry.Luckily, the second half of "Wolfen" really picks up the pace, building to an excellent conclusion. An attack in a zoo uses the unseen very well, tension mounting nicely. The case begins to affect Dewey and Rebecca's peace of mind. The film shows this fantastically, especially in a moment where Wilson sits in his car, catching a glimpse of a wolf pack briefly. Though the POV shots are overused, they wind up disguising the titular creatures. When they are first revealed, during a nighttime shot in the same abandoned church, it's truly startling.The film's climax is fantastic, the primary characters surrounded in a public place by the monsters. The tension rises each time a new wolf enters the scene. "Wolfen" has a wolf-aided decapitation that rivals a similarly excellent moment in "American Werewolf." As the chase moves into an apartment building, some intense thrills are generated. A shot cutting between the detective's eyes and the alpha wolf's eyes really stands out. The conclusion nicely balances ambiguity and answers, keeping the entities mysterious while still providing a satisfying ending.Finney breathes some new life into the wash-up detective character type. He conveys a real weariness. The movie's excellent supporting cast helps too. Tom Noonan and Gregory Hines are both highly likable as the eccentric zoologist and pragmatic forensic specialist. The characters are likable enough that, when they start die, it really effects us. "Wolfen" might not be on the level of 1981's other wolf classics but it's a worthy horror-thriller in its own right, an effectively orchestrated fusion of mystery, horror, and atmosphere.

"Wolfen" is one of those films that manages to combine different themes and elements. On the one hand, it is a horror film, a cop film, and a murder mystery. On the other hand, it is also a supernatural movie that has a spiritual message that says we are not as powerful as we think we are. The movie begins through the eyes of something non human. We don't know what it is, but whatever it is, it sees things in a different vision and can hear a whole lot better than we can. In the next scene, we see a wealthy big shot, his wife, and bodyguard get brutally killed by the same non-human entity. Needless to say, the killings make front page news. Enters our hero, Captain Dewey (played by Albert Finney) along with Gregory Hines, who plays a coroner's assistant. At first, its believed that terrorists were involved. Soon enough, however, Dewey realizes that only something non- human could have done it. As it turns out, other people in the slums have been killed in similar ways. Dewey eventually learns from the local Native American population (one of whom is played by the great Edward James Olmos) that the culprit he is after is called the wolfen, powerful beings who have lived among the human race, hunting the weak and the sick, who now hide out in the urban jungles. This is a very interesting movie. The point of view of the creatures is very well done, we also have some great shots of the urban decay of New York at that time. And while Albert Finney does not sound like a New Yorker (his British accent does come through here and there) he manages to give a pretty convincing performance of a burned out detective who has probably seen one too many dead bodies in his career. Its also interesting to see Gregory Hines in a horror movie, since I don't believe he ever starred in another one. Never the less, he plays the part well, adding a little bit of comedy. A number of people had issues with the movie, and I'll admit it did drag a little bit in some parts and the ending was just a little weak. However, if you're in the mood for something different from your usual werewolf movie, "Wolfen" would not be a bad way to spend your time. Also starring Diane Venora. 8 out of 10.