Howling Village: Overly Busy Wannabe Horror Aims High, Lands in the Outfield
By Thom Ernst
Rating: D
The high point in director Takashi Shimizu's horror film Howling Village comes near the end. But no need to worry about spoilers. I haven't got any. And I'd appreciate it if those who do see the film forward me a few of their spoilers. Because I'm not sure I quite got what the movie was giving.
It's not that Howling Village is a complex nor vexing film. Much of the story is straightforward: Girl and boy breach forbidden territory, a dark town’s secret risks exposure, people die, and a determined young man seeks answers to a friend's suspicious suicide.
It might not be cut-n-dry, but it's all there—probably. I’m not entirely sure because Howling Village is a steady trod of stenciled scenes drained of atmosphere and tension. Any subtleties in the movie drown in a subtext of deadly curses and evil cults—at least, I think it does. It would be easy to miss the point or two that align the pieces together.
The movie attempts to strike a nerve and, in its efforts, occasionally demonstrates promise. A memorable death scene is accomplished with a blend of comedy, horror, and style. But it is a rare moment.
Mostly, Shimizu seems at a loss to find ways of evoking dread even in moments that land on my list of top 10 horrible ways to die. And the actors involved never manage to drag their performance far from the page. Their movements and delivery, right down to their breaths, feel scripted.
PROUDLY SUPPORTS ORIGINAL-CIN
Howling Village is a fable about a rumoured village obtainable only by breaking the barriers that block the Howling tunnel. Legend claims that a phone in a booth outside the Howling Tunnel rings at 2 am, allowing anyone who answers passage through the tunnel.
Adults deny the story with angry objections. But the youth are curious and fearless. Their parents' warnings go unheeded.
Akira (Masanobu Takashima) ignores all precautions and lures her boyfriend, Yuma (Ryôta Bandô), into filming as she breaks every rule to see the Howling Village.
In short order, Akira and Yuma's village is plagued with strange deaths; a young woman is possessed and wanders singing an eerily melodic tune about Killing Dogs, hiding babies, and sealing something up. The babies? None of it makes much sense until the final reel, but by then, the movie has lost the steam to take things to the next level.
It all sounds rather spooky, with great potential for gore if only Howling Village didn't dodge every opportunity to create something disturbing. The death scenes, even when vicious in concept, are tame. And the special effects, especially that of the creatures from Howling Village, are as scary as the trails left behind from a moving glow-stick.
Howling Village. Directed by Takashi Shimizu. Starring Masanobu Takashima, Ayaka Miyoshi, and Ryôta Bandô. Available on streaming platforms beginning August 13.