Silver Bullet
A resourceful disabled boy and his sister investigate a string of small-town murders and discover that a trusted local figure is a werewolf.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Moderate
- eerie
- campy
- nostalgic
- retro horror night
- halloween viewing
What critics said
Critics generally found the Stephen King adaptation formulaic and insufficiently frightening, though several praised its family warmth, Gary Busey's performance, and climactic set piece.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Marty's mobility impairment shapes his vulnerability, resourcefulness, and determination to identify the werewolf.
Marty and Jane investigate the murders while suspecting that the werewolf may be someone accepted by the town.
Tarker's Mills shifts from peaceful community to fearful hunting ground after the murders begin.
The werewolf threat and murder scenes are counterbalanced by Gary Busey's lively Uncle Red and the film's camp-adjacent presentation.
Films like Silver Bullet, and why
It
shares small-town horror, a folkloric monster, adolescent protagonists, and a tense family-centered investigation
The Howling
shares werewolf mythology, practical creature effects, rural isolation, and coming-of-age horror
The Monster Squad
shares 1980s horror atmosphere, child protagonists confronting supernatural danger, and darkly playful monster storytelling
Movie Details
- Director
- Dan Attias
- Release Date
- 1985-10-10
- Runtime
- 95 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (728)
Cast
- Gary Busey
- Everett McGill
- Tovah Feldshuh
- Megan Follows
- Corey Haim
- Terry O'Quinn
- Robin Groves
- Leon Russom
- Bill Smitrovich
- Joe Wright
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Silver Bullet about?
- A resourceful disabled boy and his sister investigate a string of small-town murders and discover that a trusted local figure is a werewolf.
- What is Silver Bullet like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Silver Bullet as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Silver Bullet violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Silver Bullet as moderate.
- What did critics think of Silver Bullet?
- Critics generally found the Stephen King adaptation formulaic and insufficiently frightening, though several praised its family warmth, Gary Busey's performance, and climactic set piece.
- Which films are like Silver Bullet?
- Films with a similar feel include It, The Howling, and The Monster Squad.
- How long is Silver Bullet?
- Silver Bullet runs 95 minutes.
- Where can I watch Silver Bullet?
- In United States, Silver Bullet streams on Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential, Paramount+ Amazon Channel, Paramount+ Roku Premium Channel.
