Howling VI: The Freaks (1991 Video) User Reviews

Thoth-Amon vs Wolfman.

[Fella_shibby · 4/10 · 12 July 2021]

I first saw this in the early 90s on a vhs.

Revisited it recently.

This is the sixth entry in the Howling series.

While this movie doesn't have sufficient werewolf action or kills, this one is much better than the last four parts.

The villain/vampire (Bruce Payne) in this one looks more like Thoth-Amon (man beast) from Conan the Destroyer.

This one has an offscreen sex scene n a nudity consisting of one boob, thereby taunting Total Recall's three boobs.

Vampires, Werewolves, and Freaks....Brilliant!

[BigBadaBruce · 5/10 · 7 April 2007]

Lets get this bit out of the way. Is it a first class movie? No, far from it. Is it with great budget effects? Not brilliant, but well enough. Is there any big stars? Yeah, i think i seen that cactus in Easy Rider.

But, is it an enjoyable silly movie that you can sit down and watch for a laugh? Yes. The actors aren't brilliant, but they do their best, and the script isn't brilliant, but uses what little resources it has well. This could be a very underrated movie in all honesty, instantly condemned by people, but it ain't that bad. The fights are OK, the comedy is little but alright, the storyline works well. Its a guilty pleasure movie, easy to sit and enjoy. Enjoy!

Freaky, but not in a good way

[Zbigniew_Krycsiwiki · 3/10 · 24 July 2012]

Supremely strange sequel has an interesting premise (werewolf vs. vampire) but with a very weird execution. A young drifter drifts into town, just as a traveling circus arrives. Carnival barker (named Harker) is kidnapping "freaks" to use in his circus, and has his sights set on the young drifter who, just happens, is a werewolf. Big problem with this film is that it seems like there are too many genres played with: character study of the werewolf drifter, character study of the smalltown's people, love story between werewolf drifter and preacher's daughter, werewolf movie, vampire movie, werewolf vs. vampire movie all confusingly rolled up into one movie.

While the film does have some decent effects, as the drifter transforms into the werewolf during the full moon, what it doesn't have is a decent pacing, and a sense of humour. It also doesn't even have the benefit of on-location photography that the previous sequels had, and how in the bloody hell is any of this "based on the novels The Howling I, II, and III by Gary Brandner"?

Not all werewolves lack feelings!

[uds3 · 16 September 2003]

Admittedly not to everyone's taste, but HOWLING VI: THE FREAKS blows the previous four sequels out of the water. Absolutely no one appears to have noticed, but Brendan Hughes here has simply re-invented himself as a reluctant werewolf carrying on pretty much where he left off as the stylish but caring Vlad Tepisch in TO DIE FOR..one of the best vampire films ever made!

Quirky this may be, hammily directed admittedly and with a musical score that sucks at times, there is still enough in this tale of a shabbily-treated gaggle of sideshow freaks to warrant a second viewing. Bruce Payne in the film before his cool-hijacker role in PASSENGER 57 plays the literate but somewhat inhumane carny-owner who just might know more about Brendan Hughes "condition" than he is letting on.

Several touching scenes and for the most part anything but a horror movie, one's enjoyment of this film is fully dependent on an inclination to listen, having a sense of compassion and a degree of awareness that not too many have.

Its NOT a great film by a long shot - its an interesting failure if anything but I for one, can find plenty to like about it. The cat scene for one thing propelled the film to a 6 to start with.

UGH....Horrible Horror !!!

[keith7198 · 2/10 · 16 August 2006]

Oh boy...this is definitely one to bury in the back yard. I For those who are not fans of the Howling series...this will not win you over. From a boring, far from scary story to a werewolf that look like a cross between Centaur and a sheepdog, this moving has nothing that would make me think about recommending it.

At times you wonder if you are watching a Howling flick or a poor, poor remake of the classic movie "Freaks". Either way, the filmmakers fail to present anything new, exciting, scary, or entertaining.

There are a lot more movies at there worth your time. There are a lot more Wolf flicks that will scare you more than this one. And if it's freaks you want to see, watch the original. Throw this one out with the trash.

Poor sequel

[ryannemetz · 1/10 · 14 February 2005]

Howling VI: The Freaks absolutely sucks. For starters, the only reason I own this DVD was because Artisan came out with a double feature DVD of this, along with Howling V: The Rebirth. I needed to have the fifth installment in my horror library, it's a good one. I did post a review on Howling V, so if you are interested check that one out. Now, back to Howling VI, this movie is set at a carnival freak show with some hideous creatures, and the premise is between a vampire and a werewolf drifter. One would think that this would be an epic battle, but it's totally below expectations. This unsatisfactory film lacks any sort of highlighted special effects or a decent plot. They could have done a lot more with this and they didn't. I remember watching this movie late one night at my Grandparents house when I was a kid. I didn't like it then, and after viewing it again, I haven't grown to appreciate it now. I don't want to go on and on about this sorry picture, so I will stop. There is nothing here.

Why is This Series Still Going?

[gavin6942 · 5/10 · 12 February 2013]

A villainous carnival owner (Bruce Payne) captures a young werewolf and adds the man into his traveling sideshow of human oddities and (as the title says) freaks.

Leonard Maltin said the film is "Intelligentally written, especially for this series, but pretentious with vague Ray Bradburyesque undertones". That may be fair. I would not have even thrown in the "intelligently written" part, but within the context of the series... sure.

The DVD & Video Guide 2004 noted that "Special effects that leave a lot to be desired diminish this really strange entry in the long-running werewolf series". Fair, and to put this in context, there are not all that many special effects.

Another reviewer stated that "H. B. Harker played by Bruce Payne is the one thing that makes this film watchable. His unrepentantly evil Harker is wonderful, aristocratic, neither over or underplayed." I will agree that Payne is the strongest actor in the film, with the strongest character. I actually found the film as a whole very watchable, though it has less horror and less werewolf than you might want from a "Howling" film.

Average name only 5th sequel, could have been much better.

[poolandrews · 5/10 · 22 January 2005]

A mysterious British drifter named Ian Richards (Brendan Hughes) wanders into the small desolate town of Canton Bluff in Southern California. After a run in with the local Sheriff named Fuller (Gary Cervantes as Carlos Cervantes) he finds work with the towns Reverend named Dewey (Jered Barclay) fixing up his run-down church. Soon after Ian's arrival, a carnival called 'Harker's world of wonder' rolls into town. The owner R.B. Harker (Bruce Payne) collects freaks and shows them off to the paying public, along with various other lame fairground attractions that try to please any potential customer. Harker's latest freak is a man named Winston (Sean Gregory Sullivan) who has a deformity that makes his skin look like lizard scales, Harker decides to call him 'Alligator Boy'. At first the locals of Canton Bluff seem to enjoy Harker's carnival. Ian decides to take Dewey's daughter Elizabeth (Michele Matheson) to the opening night. They meet Harker. Harker feels he knows Ian but cannot remember from where or when. Harker tells one of his workers, Bellamey (Antonio Fargas) to spy on Ian. That night the full moon causes Ian to change into a werewolf which Bellamey sees and reports back to Harker. Harker captures Ian and puts him in his freak-show. Also that night Miss Eddington (Carol Lynley) who owns the town's bank, disappears. The town's mayor Roger Pruitt (Randy Pelish) and the locals believe Ian is responsible. But it seems that Harker himself isn't quite what he appears to be at first and is in Canton Bluff for rather more sinister reasons than he leads everyone to thinks. Who is Harker? Who is Ian? Why are they both in Canton Bluff? What secrets do they hide? Who will be able to halt the sudden and somewhat startling decline in the town's population? Watch it if you want to find out.

Directed by Hope Perello this is the fifth very loosely connected sequel to the Howling (1981) and was made between Howling V:The Rebirth (1989) and Howling:New Moon Rising (1995). As it stands Howling VI:The Freaks ain't actually that bad a film, it's just that it's not a particularly good one either. The script by Kevin Rock supposedly based on the novels by Gary Brandner (the film gives him a 'based on' credit at the beginning) is just too slow. The story definitely has potential which, in my opinion, has not been fulfilled or realised for the most part. The filmmakers should have had more confidence in their abilities and should have been more adventurous as this film could have been really good, there are good parts here and there but their too few and far between, which is a shame. If this had been cut down by around 10 or 15 minutes it would have flowed a lot better and kept my interest more. Or, alternatively the filmmakers could have written in a few more horror sequences. It's over half and hour into the film before any horror of any description happens. Prior to this it's character development and exposition, like letting the viewer know that the town is holding mayoral elections which in the eventual context of the film as a whole means absolutely nothing and past the opening few minutes it's never mentioned again. The special make-up effects are surprisingly impressive, especially Winston's lizard make-up and Harker's cool vampire make-up. There isn't much blood or gore, a chicken has it's head bitten off and a torture scene where someone is poked with a spike. Vampire Harker's final death sequence is also quite cool and impressive looking. The acting is OK with Bruce Payne's performance as the main villain Harker being quite enjoyable. The film is generally well made, not outstanding but perfectly acceptable under the low-budget circumstance's. Having said that the low-budget comes through when Harker captures Ian and locks him in a cage. The cage is supposed to be made from iron bars but whenever someone touches one they wobble, shake or bend rather easily considering their supposed to be solid iron. Don't lose any sleep if you haven't seen it as it's not that good but you could do a lot worse. Worth watching if you can catch it on T.V. for free or buy it on DVD cheap. I will give it a respectable but unspectacular 5 out of 10.

Bearable wolf-type movie

[andy-1403 · 2/10 · 28 November 2005]

This definitely falls under the category of "straight to video" - wooden acting, unbelievable plot line, and the picture is all kind-of "fluffy", showing a cinematographer who hasn't been to cinematographer school. This came out at the time when it was cool to have a couple of British actors in your cast - perhaps the US government relaxed the work visa situation in light of Anthony Hopkins's win for best actor in Silence of the Lambs. Anyway, back to this movie, and the reason I gave it a category 2 instead of 1 was the only redeeming factor, an unusually generous performance by Bruce Payne, for a change, not attempting to be the center of attention. What next? Howling 25, starring a has-been McAuley Culkin as the sheriff who saves a high school from a rabid caretaker? Give me a break!!

Harker's World of Wonders.

[hitchcockthelegend · 6/10 · 28 March 2014]

The Howling (1981) remains to me one of the finest Werewolf movies ever made, though looking a bit tired these days, there still remains a wrought terror there, the effects work impressive even in this age of amazing effects advancements. What is actually surprising is that it would spawn a whole raft of sequels, becoming a cash cow franchise that not only failed to grasp the essence of writer Gary Brander's prose, but also in how the stories were schizophrenic in relation to the Werewolf formula.

Part VI: The Freaks is not a great movie, but it has a grand idea at its core, shifting the story arc into the mysterious realm of circus freaks, thus making this very much of interest for anyone with a kink for carnival/fairground/circus horror films. It's this backdrop, and the all round eerie atmospherics wrung out by director Hope Perello and cinematographer Edward Pei, that keeps this sequel above average.

Plot basically finds a drifter known only as Ian (Brendan Hughes) wandering into the town of Canton Bluff and in spite of some hostility from the sheriff of the town, manages to find some lodgings with troubled pastor Dewey (Jered Barclay) and his daughter Elizabeth (Michele Matheson). All seems rosy until the arrival of a travelling show called Harker's World of Wonders. Fronted by the mysterious R.B. Harker (Bruce Payne), it's a veritable showcase for the misfits, the freaks and the runts. But much like Harker has a dark secret, so too does Ian, and when revealed, the town of Canton Bluff will never be the same.

Unfortunately the main promotional poster for the film gives the game away, so it's no spoiler to say that it's all building towards a monster face-off, with the character name of Harker a not very subtle clue as well. In between there is the standard relationship building narrative, with Ian battling his demons as he comes to adore both Elizabeth and Dewey, while the tours around the "show" are suitably creepy. Payne is giving good pompous aristocratic entertainment, while seeing Antonio Fargas and Carol Lynley in this gives novelty value whilst serving to remind that actors do sometimes have to work for food!

It's dressed up nicely and never insulting, and in context to the budget available it deserves a gentle golf clap type of grudging appreciation. Even if it's hardly a must see for Werewolf lovers. 6/10

Freakshow of horror

[TheLittleSongbird · 5/10 · 12 March 2019]

The first 'The Howling' film is by far the best of the franchise, while it had imperfections there was a lot to like about it at the same time and for me it's the only one to be good. As a franchise, generally 'The Howling' series is not a particularly good one and the sequels were way off the quality of the original. The following three sequels especially were true to this, only the fourth film attempted any fidelity and even then it took itself too seriously while 2 and 3 were cheap overloads of camp.

'Howling V: The Rebirth' still wasn't particularly good but it was surprisingly watchable and the best of the series up to then and the best possibly of the sequels. Actually take back saying that it was the only 'The Howling' sequel to rise above mediocre at best. This film, 'Howling VI: The Freaks', also just about does rise above being that standard, after rewatching it, while also being wildly uneven and less than great. This is still nowhere near close to the quality of the first film, but like 'Howling V: The Rebirth' compared to the previous three sequels there are improvements here and fewer issues compared to the previous sequels (not as big quality-wise too).

Although not looking incredible as such, 'Howling VI: The Freaks' is still one of the better looking sequels. There is some stylishness and the setting is suitably eerie. The standout on the visual front is the really quite terrific make-up, the best since the first film, which was both inventive and creepy. The church transformation scene is one of the best transformation sequences of the franchise in my mind too, the film's most creative moment. The music is haunting and doesn't compromise the mood or is not used predictably.

One improvement over the previous sequels, and this is including 'Howling V: The Rebirth' is the acting. Found the acting ranging from subpar to awful in the previous sequels and it was not always a strength even in the first film. Here it is better than average, with the best performance coming from a menacing Bruce Payne, clearly enjoying every second playing the film's most interesting character without going over-the-top. Found myself interested in the characters and not being bored or annoyed by them. There are some unsettling and atmospheric moments with the film boasting the most original concept of the franchise, some of the script is thought-provoking and like the fifth film it isn't as aimless or as padded as the previous three sequels, it does feel like something is happening. The clash of the werewolf and freaks scenes are staged reasonably well, with a fun climax, at least there wasn't any goofiness.

Limitations do show in the budget though. The special effects are occasionally decent but on the most part they are pretty shoddy, with an odd looking werewolf. Due to very unimaginative and sometimes static direction, apparent in some dull stretches and the camera work not being as expansive or varied as it could have been, some of the film has a drab look. The script has moments but could have had more personality injected into it, a little wit would have helped so that it didn't come over as overly-serious.

Because that was a problem here in 'Howling VI: The Freaks'. Did appreciate that it didn't get excessive on the campiness or silliness like the second and third films did, but like the fourth film it took itself too seriously, even for a film that had a more serious subject. Some of the pace could have done with more tightening and the tension and suspense could have come more consistently. The film could have done with trying a little less too hard, some great ideas here but also too many and not all fully realised. Also with doing more with the basic concept, with more werewolf and a little less focus on the freaks despite them being well characterised, it's all to do with balance, more freshness and surprises wouldn't have gone amiss because a lot of the storytelling is pretty ordinary and predictable considering the concept.

In conclusion, could have been better but by 'The Howling' sequel standards like the fifth film this was watchable. 5/10

vampire vs werewolf...in a circus!!

[j.g · 10/10 · 1 January 2001]

I really enjoyed this film.Normally I don't like werewolf movies but this one is very entertaining.It might not be scary enough,but it has really good characters.The werewolf is a good guy which is something,unlike other people,I enjoy!The real star of the film though is Bruce Payne who is once again amazing to watch as the bad guy.The fight scenes between werewolf and vampire are reasonably well executed.I don't like most of the other sequels to the original howling(especially that awful 3rd film)but this turned out to be much better than I had hoped.

One of the more interesting Howling movies

[Stevieboy666 · 6/10 · 30 April 2018]

Travelling circuses and freak shows have always had a part in the history of horror and in this sequel we get a good dose of just that. Led by the evil Harker, he wants to capture and exhibit his fellow Brit in the wandering Ian, who turns into a werewolf when the moon is full. There is also a love interest in preacher's daughter Elizabeth. As a werewolf movie it is pretty unremarkable. But it's the freaks side of this film that I liked, especially as Antonio Fargas is among them! Acting is good enough and it is an interesting storyline which also involves another classic monster, the vampire! One of the better Howling sequels, though that doesn't really say much!

Guy, Freaks, no werewolves, thats it, WHY?

[maniacfictionfilms · 1/10 · 15 November 2005]

Why ever did some fool follow up this werewolf series with a film that had nothing to do with werewolves. He had obviously seen the film 'Freaks' and thought he was on to a winner. He was not! Because the film that he made was the sequel to a werewolf franchise, which usually means there should be copious amounts of WEREWOLVES! In this final there was a lead character with a German Shepherd inspired transformation, from which nothing exciting or fun developed from. To some it all up, worst werewolf film ever!. Can anybody please tell me why some idiot made this film? Why they thought it necessary to continue this hopelessly lost franchise? and why oh why we are considering Hellraiser II to be an adequate cure for our eyes?!?

Finally a worthy sequel

[Josh-161 · 30 May 2002]

The Howling was the first horror I ever saw, and it scared the living daylights out of me. Ever since that night when I sat horrified as Eddie changed into a werewolf, this genre has been a source of enjoyment for me. Having understandably fallen in love with the cult classic that is The Howling, I immediately ran down to the video store and rented the first three Howling sequels. To say I was disappointed is an understatement. I was disgusted at at how badly-made, fake-looking, nonsensical and un-scary they were.

And then I came across Howling VI: The Freaks. Given its title, I had little hope that this would be even a half decent movie. But as I watched the film unfold in front of me late one night, I found myself increasingly drawn into what is undoubtedly the best sequel to The Howling.

The thing that sets The Freaks apart from all the other pathetic Howling sequels is its script. Yes, for once we have a smart, inventive script that is not a simple rehash of past misdemeanors. All the dialogue is fresh, and occasionally even mildly poetic (Harker in particular got some great speeches). The characters are well-rounded, and the story seems more focused on them rather than the werewolf - which is ultimately why The Freaks triumphs.

The remarkable thing about The Freaks is that the hero of the tale - and the character the audience is expected to identify with - is the werewolf himself. While it makes an interesting plot-twist, it almost seems like a message from the film-makers that we all have a dark-side, and how we use - or control - it will affect how we live and view the world. It's an interesting stand-point to take, but it adds a flare of originality to what could have been another tired werewolf plot.

The rest of the characters in The Freaks are all vibrant against-type heroes and villains who add a little spice and humour to the tale. Harker is undoubtedly the most interesting of them, and the revelation of his true nature - while a little hard to digest at first - is one that chills (although seeing such a formidable creature galloping around in such camp wardrobe lessens the intensity of the character!)

The thing that drags the film down, though (and quite surprisingly) is the direction. Many scenes are blandly shot in such boring and unoriginal ways that you can't help but feel a little restless to begin with. The "freaks" themselves - when revealed for the first time in a 'House of Horrors'-style campment - are photographed in such a mundane, lack-lustre way (and accompanied by a lifeless score) that they all come across as rather boring, despite the excellent make-up effects. Only after a stunning transformation scene in the church bedroom does a little creativeness shine through in The Freaks, and although there are some memorable shots (though they were few) the directing is the weakest aspect of The Freaks.

As mentioned above, the make-up work is remarkable, and flawless. A dwarf with a third arm, a she-he being and the werewolf itself are all brilliant and hold up well even against movies of today. It's a shame that the werewolf wasn't the same as those from the first Howling (they were undoubtedly incredibly scary), but I can see how the film-makers would have wanted to go for a different look. The stand-out effect, however, is the demise of the vampire creature as the flesh slowly disintergrates to reveal bone in a scene that any movie would be hard-pressed to match these days - even with *cough* CGI.

THE VERDICT: Definitely the best sequel to the classic The Howling, The Freaks is a very different, very unusual movie (how could it not be, with a title like that?) The direction at times is a little bland, but this is more than made up for in a strong script and cast. If you check out any Howling sequels, skip past the last four and go straight for this.

One of the worst films you'll ever see!

[NeoJuninho · 1/10 · 3 November 2005]

I love werewolf films...but my god this barely qualifies. A 'good' hearted werewolf who doesn't want to kill isn't such a bad idea, but a Howling film with virtually no werewolf action is just lame. The 'evil' circus owner who appears to be some kinda vampire creature just adds to the pain. There's virtually no explanation as to why the young fellow is a werewolf to begin with, and really this films appears to have no plot other than he exists. This film has nothing that hasn't been seen before, and hasn't been done a million times better. Watch 'Dog Soldiers' if you want a good scare with fast action. The name 'Howling'shouldn't even be linked to it. Ugh Unwatchable garbage...avoid

the yawning

[trashgang · 2/10 · 11 December 2012]

Only 5 minutes into the movie and the boom operator makes sure that his microphone can be seen in the picture. You know what you will get, trash. And being another entry in the Howling franchise this makes you wonder, is this going to be the worst. So far Howling III was the worst.

What I was wondering before I started was the effects used. Jason Barnett worked for the Todd Masters (Twilight, True Blood, Fringe,...)company before he went on his own. This is his first flick before he did the effects for Hellraiser Bloodline together with Kevin Yagher. He went further to MIB, Sucker Punch and so many other blockbusters.

But does it shows here that we had two masters at work? Not really, the transformation into a werewolf wasn't the best I have seen. Maybe they had more work to make the freaks. Here and there they show their abilities...

But what a terrible flick this is, country music as score...stupid script, especially the first 15 minutes. That until the freaks come in, a carnival of weirdos. Guess who joins them, yes, the werewolf. But even then it's more about painting a church and the carnival itself. One well known face to see, Antonio Fargas (Bellamy). He is in the carnival. This is really a boring flick with freaks to show and that's all. O yes, there was a werewolf, but not worth mentioning. Almost no red stuff or even gore to see.

Gore 0,5/5 Nudity 0/5 Effects 2/5 Story 2/5 Comedy 0/5

When this is the best it doesn't look good for the other sequels

[ianwilks-78462 · 3/10 · 9 March 2019]

First howling was a gem of a horror movie. The transformation scene was a thing of beauty. This... Not so much. I mean it's by far the best sequel out of the lot but this still by far isn't a good film. Think of it like this. The other sequels are like a kick in the dick... And this is a punch in the throat. But it still isn't much better.

Double woof

[BandSAboutMovies · 3/10 · 28 August 2020]

The movie begins with a child runs through the woods being chased by a werewolf which corners and kills her. All that's left is a teddy bear which we soon see being held by a drifter named Ian Richards as he tries to get a ride. He gets a job helping to rebuild a church, but by the time the full moon comes back, he's soon captured by them.

Oh man - The Howling series of films has brought us here to the sixth movie of several films that rarely, if ever, tie together. Are you ready?

This film adds a sideshow angle, complete with Deep Roy - Teeny Weeny from The NeverEnding Story, Fellini from Flash Gordon, the Tin Man in Return to Oz, all of the Oompa Loompas from the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory Tim Burton film - and a vampire leader of the circus battling the entire town of Canton Bluff.

Director Hope Perello also made the Full Moon kid movie Pet Shop and a drama entitled St. Patrick's Day.

So how does this all tie in? Mary Lou from The Rebirth has a brief, non-speaking part as an audience member at the beginning of the film. They actually explain this in the next installment, New Moon Rising.

more snoring than howling...

[HollysDemoHell · 2/10 · 27 June 2020]

Whereas Howling VII: New Moon Rising is so groundbreakingly awful on so many levels that it merits at least a few re-watches, Part VI: The Freaks is just regular awful and hard to sit through even once.

Imagine an episode of Murder She Wrote set at a carnival freakshow, but there's no Jessica Fletcher. And no murder. That's the first half of the film.

Then halfway through we finally get some kind of hint that this is actually supposed to be a werewolf film (really?) but instead of springing to life everything shifts into minus gears and becomes even more dull. Without the Howling name attached to it, there's no doubt this bore-fest would've disappeared without trace.

Best Howling sequel to date!

[derk-rijks · 6/10 · 3 April 2004]

Years after I saw the Original Howling movie, I spend my time watching the entire series of sequels to this movie.

The second one was crap, the third one was a monster and the fourth one was one of the worst flicks I have ever seen.

So I think you can understand my surprise after seeing this fifth sequel, well... it was actually good!

The story has been told by other reviewers, so I won't do that.

The atmosphere in this one is more like a sunday afternoon movie, with not to much gore, but with sympathetic characters, and a innovative storyline, about a carnival director who in real life is a vampire.

I enjoyed everything about this movie, allthough it cannot be seen as a masterpiece or real good horror movie. Despite of that, I give it a 6 out of 10, because it's soooo much better than all the other parts in this bad, bad series.

Not sure

[atinder · 3/10 · 15 November 2015]

I really don't what to make of this movie.

We do get to see a lot more of werewolf, which I think looked really silly and when do werewolf think?

That whole vampire thing , what heck what blues things , it looked so bad and body Burming in the sun, was one of the worst scenes in the who, e series

The acting in this movie as really bad again , also ad bad the fourth movie They had a good idea but they did not do what should have done. 3 out of 10

Won't be watching seven

Something werewolf this way comes!

[Weirdling_Wolf · 8/10 · 20 April 2023]

The sixth, surprisingly robust instalment of the fecund lycanthrope franchise actively maintains a loyal following due to it being executed with more class than one might initially expect! Rolling ostentatiously into town not long after the arrival of moody, taciturn loner, Ian (Brendan Hughes), the flamboyant carnival radiates an irresistible fascination to the goodly folk of Canton Bluff. This garish cavalcade of genetic curiosities is managed by the theatrical, darkly charismatic R. B Harker (Bruce Payne). His movable feast of fabulous freaks charms the locals, the noisome ballyhoo obscures, Harker's monstrous secret! When locals inexplicably vanish, anxious sheriff, Fuller (Gary Cervantes) disturbingly discovers that the urbane, Harker regularly moonlights as a spectacularly sinister-looking vampire!

The kooky carny atmosphere is energetically complemented by its amusingly eccentric characters, with devilishly erudite, Bruce Payne essaying one of his more mesmerizing villains. Hope Perello clearly has an affinity for off-beat horror tropes, and his 'Howling VI: The Freaks' bounds along amenably at a cracking pace, and the fabulously fang-tastic practical FX are very special indeed. The toothsome Vampire Vs. Werewolf climax should make any avid monster maniac salivate! Fans of indie horror hero, Charles Band should appreciate the lurid lycanthropic lunacy of, Perello's lusty B-horror gem 'Howling VI: The Freaks'. Frankly, as modestly budgeted Part 6's to increasingly long in the tooth fright franchises go, this one 'aint the howler you might expect it to be!

Good werewolf vs. evil carnie

[Wuchakk · 7/10 · 20 February 2012]

HOWLING VI: THE FREAKS (1991, 102 minutes)

A Brit named Ian (Brendan Hughes) drifts into a Southwestern town around the same time as a carnival freak show. He picks up work with a pastor and stays at his house where his cute daughter, Elizabeth (Michele Matheson), takes interest. Harker (Bruce Payne), the darkly man who owns the freak show, may be more than what he appears.

This one is too dramatic and slow for those with ADHD and the werewolf's face looks more like a member of Twisted Sister than a werewolf, although the way the beast walks on canine legs is notable. In any case, "Howling VI" delivers. In fact, I think it's the best of the sequels, followed by IV and V, although I haven't yet seen 1995's "The Howling: New Moon Rising" (VII) or 2011's "The Howling Reborn" (VIII).

What makes "Howling VI" stand out is its focus on characters. The casting is excellent and all the characters are well fleshed-out for a 102-minute micro-budget horror flick. For instance, Ian clearly has a dark secret, but it's also obvious that he's a quality soul. Elizabeth is innocent to the ways of the world but she instinctively senses goodness in Ian, as does the "alligator boy." Harker, by contrast, possesses a sinister edge despite his great charisma. Speaking of which, Bruce Payne is outstanding here.

GRADE: B+

Quite werewolfy

[nightroses · 4/10 · 13 June 2018]

It seems that the werewolves in the later Howling series as the seasons go by appear less frightening. The 6th film is pretty with the carnival in town, the variety of shows, performers and places. It was strongly indicating the unfairness of how people with physical deformities are mistreated and that was all about the alligator boy. He was a real person, not a lycanthrope, made to be the latest act in the carnival. It was run by the scary and cold hearted Englishman vampire. The only werewolf in the movie is the good guy and hero that saves all from the vampire. I thought this film was good in the way it makes the werewolf a sympathetic and likeable character. But it was also bad because it didn't feel like a werewolf movie.