Howling IV: The Original Nightmare

While in a meeting with her literary agent Tom Billings, Marie has another vision of a nun and a wolf-like creature lunging from a fire. The vision shakes her and she begins screaming in the office, drawing startled stares. The incident signals that her visions are intruding on her professional life.

Dr. Coombes confirms that Marie's condition stems from an overactive imagination but warns of dangerous consequences. He advises Richard to take her away from pressures for a few weeks. The plan to retreat sets the stage for leaving the city behind.

Richard finds a secluded cottage in the small town of Drago as a temporary refuge. Tom drives Marie there and then leaves the scene, signaling a transition away from their usual life. The move marks a fresh start in a quiet, unfamiliar place.

Marie settles into the cottage and declares it perfect, but that night she is disturbed by howling from the woods during an intimate moment. The eerie sounds plant the seeds of fear. The remote setting feels increasingly oppressive.

They explore the town and meet Eleanor, a local artist, and the Ormsteads who run the general store. Marie's dog disappears during a walk, heightening her anxiety. The town's odd charm begins to feel claustrophobic.

That night, Marie dreams of wolves and the nun from her visions, blurring the line between reality and nightmare. The visions intensify, hinting at a larger, unseen threat. The tension between Marie and Richard grows as the dreams continue.

During a daytime chat, Mrs. Ormstead tells Marie about the previous couple who occupied the cottage and vanished without a word. The mystery hints at a dark local secret. Marie grows more unsettled by the town's quietness.

While walking home, Marie sees the nun again, but it is revealed to be Eleanor in a dark cape. Eleanor offers a shortcut to the cottage, which Marie takes. She then discovers a cave and the remains of her dog, deepening the fear.

Marie is pursued in the woods while Richard, at the cottage, tries to calm her and then checks outside. He sees nothing and notices no sign of the pursuer. The absence of proof fuels Marie's growing paranoia.

The next morning, Marie witnesses an apparition of an elderly man and woman who warn her to leave. Janice Hatch appears as a visitor, showing interest in Marie's writing. They talk, and the topic of howling comes up.

Janice reveals she used to be a nun and that her closest friend Sister Ruth disappeared over a year ago, later found incoherent about the devil, a bell, and howling. Ruth died after a long illness without ever explaining what happened. Janice vows to uncover the truth.

Marie discovers that the village inhabitants are werewolves and that Sister Ruth's words pointed to their presence. This revelation reframes Drago as a place of lurking danger rather than quaint hospitality. Marie's sense of safety collapses.

Richard, frustrated by Marie's instability, becomes drawn to Eleanor and sleeps with her. The affair deepens the danger surrounding the couple and ties to the town's dark magic. Marie's trust fractures as the plot thickens.

That night, Richard transforms into a werewolf in the woods as the villagers reveal themselves and watch. The scale of the threat becomes undeniable. Marie realizes the danger may destroy them all.

Following the folk tale, Marie lures the pack to the local church using its bell and burns them all alive, including Richard. The village goes up in flames and death is all around. A burning werewolf lunges from the fire at Marie, sealing the vision's grim outcome.