Gavin Jackson

25th Apr 2012

The Howling (1981)

Question: Why did Eddie Quist give Chris his rifle back before transforming? Is it because he wanted to die, or because he (wrongfully) thought the gun would have no effect on him?

Gavin Jackson

Chosen answer: The reason Eddie gave Chris back his rifle before transforming was probably because he thought the gun was loaded with normal bullets. Regular bullets (at least in this movie) do not kill werewolves. This is shown in an earlier scene with Eddie and Karen White when he confronts her about the police raid in the porno theater. The police shoot him down and it was thought that Eddie was dead. However, later it is shown that Eddie had escaped from the morgue. Also, right before transforming, Eddie digs the bullet out of his head. It was likely that Eddie was taunting Chris by daring him to shoot him, thinking that the gun would have no effect on him. What Eddie didn't know was that Chris had loaded the rifle with silver bullets, which are deadly to werewolves. If you look closely, you can see the shock on Eddie's face when Chris shoots him in the throat.

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