Dead Howling (2026) Review

Dead Howling (2026) Review

Combining zombies, werewolves and a post-apocalyptic wasteland, Dead Howling sounds like the sort of film that could easily descend into gloriously tacky B-movie territory. Fortunately, this ferocious slice of survival horror proves considerably better than expected.

From the producers of cult favourites Dog Soldiers and Terrifier 3, Dead Howling stars Joel Jackson (Jungle), Ryan Kwanten (True Blood, Dead Silence), Temuera Morrison (The Mandalorian, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom) and Tom Burlinson (The Man from Snowy River, Flesh+Blood). The film will celebrate its UK premiere at Tubi FrightFest Halloween 2026 on 31 October, ahead of its release on DVD, Blu-ray and digital platforms on 2 November.

Set in a world devastated by a zombie virus, the story follows Carter, a solitary survivor who spends his nights hunting the living dead for sport, aided by an extraordinary power. His existence takes a new direction when he rescues siblings Megan and Billy, who are searching for a rumoured safe zone. Reluctantly agreeing to protect them on their journey, Carter soon discovers that the evolving undead threat is far from their only problem, with fellow survivors proving just as dangerous.

I’ll admit that I was anticipating Dead Howling to be another substandard B-movie, much like 2024’s dire survival horror effort Werewolves. After all, throwing zombies and werewolves into the same post-apocalyptic blender doesn’t exactly scream originality. Thankfully, however, this is a far more accomplished and engaging beast, even if its most notable selling point is a werewolf dispatching zombies.

While there’s little here that feels particularly fresh, the film does a solid job of keeping you invested in its central trio and their increasingly perilous journey. Much like 28 Days Later, the search for a safe haven provides the characters with a clear objective, although seasoned horror fans will hardly be surprised to discover that these supposedly secure sanctuaries rarely turn out to be quite what they’re cracked up to be.

The pacing is another welcome strength. There’s enough action and undead carnage to keep things moving, while the character dynamics provide some much-needed breathing space between the bloodshed. Refreshingly, Megan, Billy and Carter don’t spend half the film bickering with one another, a welcome change from the tiresome interpersonal squabbling that has plagued several American genre offerings I’ve reviewed recently. Instead, their relationships develop naturally enough to make you care about their fate, even when you can second-guess much of what’s coming.

Ryan Kwanten and Temuera Morrison are among the familiar faces who briefly enter the fray, but the film largely belongs to its central three. That’s no bad thing, as they prove an appealing enough bunch to carry the story without requiring a parade of recognisable names to keep proceedings afloat.

Ultimately, Dead Howling might not reinvent the post-apocalyptic horror genre, but it delivers an entertaining, well-made slice of undead mayhem that understands the importance of momentum and characters worth rooting for. The premise promises a zombie-versus-werewolf extravaganza, and while the execution is more straightforward than groundbreaking, there’s enough here to make this a worthwhile addition to the genre.

Dead Howling celebrates its UK premiere at Tubi FrightFest Halloween 2026 on 31 October, before arriving on digital platforms, DVD and Blu-ray on 2 November.

Pre-order your copy here