The Howling (1981) review

Television anchorwoman Karen White (Dee Wallace) is being terrorized by serial killer Eddie Quist (Robert Picardo) but agrees to meet with him at an adult book store, he shows her a "snuff film" and is shot by the police but she's traumatized by the experience, so her and her husband Bill (Christopher Stone) are sent to a treatment facility called "The Colony" ... except everyone there is a werewolf.  This was clearly made by individuals with extensive knowledge of the history of horror movies (John Sayles wrote the bulk of the script) so there are plenty of cheeky references (and cameos) tossed about, but aside from the impressive special effects work (by Rob Bottin), it's a fairly routine affair that doesn't contribute much of anything to the genre.  "Showing off" how "self-aware" you are every step of the way doesn't earn anyone bonus points.