Howl (2010): cast, story & where to watch
2010 · Film · ★ 6.6
Released in 2010, Howl is a drama film directed by Rob Epstein, running about 84 minutes. “The Obscenity Trial That Started a Revolution. The Poem That Rocked a Generation.” — that tagline sets the tone.
What it’s about. It's San Francisco in 1957, and an American masterpiece is put on trial. Howl, the film, recounts this dark moment using three interwoven threads: the tumultuous life events that led a young Allen Ginsberg to find his true voice as an artist, society's reaction (the obscenity trial), and mind-expanding animation that echoes the startling originality of the poem itself. All three coalesce in a genre-bending hybrid that brilliantly captures a pivotal moment-the birth of a counterculture.
Who’s in it. Howl stars James Franco as Allen Ginsberg, Jon Hamm as Jake Ehrlich, Mary-Louise Parker as Gail Potter and Treat Williams as Mark Schorer, among others.
How it landed. With an audience score of 6.6/10, Howl has drawn a solid, mixed-to-positive response. It went on to earn $1.2M at the box office.
Where to watch. Streaming options change often. See the full, country-by-country breakdown on our where to watch Howl page.
If you liked it. Fans of Howl tend to enjoy The Shawshank Redemption, The Godfather, Schindler's List and The Godfather Part II.
Frequently asked
- Where can I watch Howl (2010)?
- Streaming, rental and purchase options for Howl change frequently. Check our where-to-watch page for the latest availability in your country.
- Is Howl worth watching?
- Howl holds an audience score of 6.6 out of 10, and is a strong pick if you enjoy drama. Reactions are mixed, so it may depend on taste.
- Who stars in Howl?
- Howl stars James Franco, Jon Hamm, Mary-Louise Parker, Treat Williams and Jeff Daniels.
- When was Howl released?
- Howl was released in 2010, with a runtime of about 84 minutes.