10 Terrifying War Horror Movies You Need To See
4. Dog Soldiers
This British werewolf flick helped launch the career of filmmaker Neil Marshall, who went on to achieve critical acclaim with 2005’s The Descent.
It’s a simple enough idea, pitting a squad of British soldiers on a training exercise in the Scottish Highlands against a pack of rabid werewolves out on mass during the full moon.
Unlike many war-based horror films, there’s little in the way of subtext here either – but that’s not a criticism.
Dog Soldiers keeps things simple and is all the better for it with Marshall focusing instead on scene-setting, character establishment and bucket loads of gore.
It’s littered with notable turns from familiar actors Sean Pertwee and Games of Thrones’ Liam Cunningham who are each given their time to shine before exiting in gruesome and somewhat unsettling circumstances.
The action culminates in an empty farmhouse, with our protagonists forced to fend off the advance canine tormentors while they away sunrise.
It’s a surprisingly funny film, with Marshall’s script deploying jet black humour to fine effect. The gritty, outdoor, British setting also gives proceedings the feel of Danny Boyle’s 28 Days Later, albeit with werewolves in the place of zombies.
But where Boyle’s film takes a subtler approach, Dog Soldiers is big, dumb and lots of fun.