Shocktober 2026 - Bad Moon (1996)
“There’ll be other animals in your life.” – Ted
Time for some werewolf action with this underrated entry from 1996 that didn’t review well with critics on its release, but it’s worth another look and a reappraisal. Eric Red directed this opus and to be fair, it’s a different take on the werewolf legend. The difference being that the central character in the movie, as with the novel it’s based on, is Thor, a German Shepherd Dog (played by Primo). And Primo really is the star of the show, with apologies to Mariel Hemingway.
As there’s a dog involved, let me immediately address the elephant in the room and confirm that the dog does NOT die, okay? If he did, we wouldn’t be talking about the film. Moreover, the last time I saw this movie several years ago, I might’ve been unconvinced that the German Shepherd breed was as intelligent as Thor seems to be. Again, let me confirm something. In the past three years, I’ve lived with one – our beloved Harley Quinn, and they ARE as intelligent as they’re portrayed. Sometimes, scarily intelligent and protective. Just saying.
As the film starts, we join an expedition in Nepal, who are attacked by a werewolf, who slaughters the entire expedition, apart from Ted (Michael Pare) who kills the werewolf by shooting it in the head.
Later, he returns to America, staying in an Airstream trailer/caravan by a forest lake in isolation for a few months before contacting his sister Janet (Mariel Hemingway) and her son Brett (Mason Gamble) who also live on the outskirts of a forest with their dog, Thor.
Thor is ultra protective of his family, and is immediately suspicious of Ted. Ted decides to accept Janet’s invitation to move his Airstream onto her property and live there because of a spate of killings in his current location, thought to be the work of a grizzly bear. But we know the truth – Ted was bitten by the werewolf and now turns into one at night. And not just the ones with a full moon.
To be fair though, Ted tries to keep Janet and Brett safe by furtively leaving his caravan at twilight under the pretence of going for a run while chaining himself to a tree until the dawn, when he becomes human again. The only problem is that Thor knows exactly what’s happening because he’s followed Ted into the forest.
Thor’s suspicions grow stronger by the day; he won’t take his eyes off the caravan and follows Ted nightly. Ted, in his wolf guise attacks Thor and tries to kill him, but Janet hearing the commotion, turns on the porch lights, scaring Ted away. But Thor is injured, superficially. Later, a conman/travelling salesman who had tried to swindle some compensation from Janet for a supposed attack earlier in the film returns to kill the poor dog, but is torn apart by Ted instead.
The sheriff shows up, unsurprisingly Thor is a suspect. Ted sees his chance and goads Thor into attacking him, so the animal control people come and take Thor to the pound. In the meantime, Janet has discovered the truth about Ted – in his caravan, he has detailed diaries, amounting to a confession. She follows him to the forest and confronts him, just as he’s transforming. (Timing is everything.)
As a wolf, he sees only his prey, and chases her through the forest. But Brett has sneaked out of the house, knowing none of this, and breaks into the pound, releasing his beloved pet – who runs back to the house and saves the day.
Be prepared for one massive jump scare that put inches of daylight between my rear end and my film watchin’ couch. As Janet and Brett relax after their ordeal, with Thor at their feet, there’s a slam closeup to Thor suddenly turning into a snarling weredog. (Nicely done, Eric Red, nicely done indeed.)
But it’s just a dream – everyone is fine. Thor included.
Well,Saturday’s the big day and I’ll be unveiling the last Shocktober Scream of 2026. I can promise you truly a film that has to be seen to be believed that it even exists. I’ve seen it. Twice. And I still can’t believe what I’ve seen.
Don't forget the Piercing the Veil Shocktober Special at this link.