Title – Dead Howling (2026)
Director – John V. Soto (The Gateway)
Cast – Joel Jackson, Téa Heathcote-Marks, Riley Stiles, Ryan Kwanten, Temuera Morrison, Tom Burlinson
Plot – In the aftermath of a global pandemic that has turned most of the world into mindless bloodthirsty zombies, siblings Megan (Heathcote-Marks) and Billy (Stiles) find themselves in the care of Carter (Jackson), a man that can unleash a power even the dead can’t survive.
“When the dead rise, the beast hunts”
Review by Eddie on 21/10/2026
For anyone that’s ever wanted their zombie post-apocalypse to feature some werewolf action, well thank your lucky stars as new Australian-made horror venture Dead Howling is here to provide you with all your “wombie” needs.
The brainchild of director John V. Soto and his writing partner James Pickering, this West Australian shot local offering is the type of fun and inventive B-movie that Aussie cinema (and the world) needs more of, with this D.I.Y rough around the edges offering relishing in its low-budget and high concept to provide a great dose of shlock and awe.
Clearing taking inspiration from some big boys of the zombie/post-apocalyptic landscape such as The Last of Us and 28 Days Later, Soto takes viewers into remote parts of Australia that has been ravaged, as has the entire world, by a zombie outbreak, with teenage siblings Megan and Billy finding protection and potential salvation from Joel Jackson’s ex-scientist Carter, who just so happens to be able to turn himself into a zombie-killing werewolf when the need arises.
Giving a fresh hair-clad spin on a familiar formula, Soto has a lot of fun bringing Carter’s unique ability to life and with a committed leading man front and centre and some noteworthy turns from upcoming Australian performers Téa Heathcote-Marks and Riley Stiles, Dead Howling is founded around likable characters and a world that feels lived in and relatable, even when there’s werewolf vs zombie carnage not too far away.
Another enjoyable element of Soto’s walking dead filled adventure is the loaded supporting cast that make their way into proceedings here.
From Star Wars royalty Temuera Morrison, True Blood breakout star Ryan Kwanten and legendary Aussie actor and The Man from Snowy River himself Tom Burlinson, Dead Howling has managed to draw together an eclectic ensemble to bring Soto’s vision to life, adding some star power to a film that was clearly a labour of love for all involved.
As is the case with any films conjured from the same grit and determination as Dead Howling has been born from, there’s a need for viewers to forgive certain cinematic transgressions and overlook some rough segments found throughout Soto’s blood and baked beans filled ride and if one can allow themselves to do so, there’s some great guilty pleasures to be had from a viewing perspective here, all from a little Aussie film that dreamed big.
Final Say –
Creating a fresh spin on the age-old zombie apocalypse landscape, the Australian made Dead Howling dishes up some great B-movie delights, proving there’s still new ideas to be explored from a sub-genre that never stays dead.
3 1/2 cans of baked beans out of 5
Dead Howling will be screening as part of the 2026 Monster Fest Program taking place across Australia from October 30th to November 1st. For a full program rundown CLICK HERE.
