Horror Movie Review: Howling VI: The Freaks (1991)

I’d say this was the moment that The Howling franchise officially went off the deep end, but who am I kidding? Have you seen the films that came before? By contrast, Howling VI: The Freaks almost seems sane. Almost.

Directed by Hope Perello, from a screenplay by Kevin Rock, and starring Brendan Hughes, Bruce Payne, Michele Matheson, Sean Gregory Sullivan, and Carol Lynley. Howling VI: The Freaks is the sixth entry in the beleaguered franchise. As always, the film is loosely based on The Howling series of novels by Gary Brandner. However, in a surprising turn, this film borrows minor elements form the third novel, The Howling III: Echoes. Well, how about that.

So, what’s the story this time? Ian Richards is a drifter, a British drifter, who ends up in the small town of Canton Bluff, USA. He’s far from welcome, but local church owner Dewey agrees to put him up in return for Ian helping him fix up the dilapidated building. Ian is more than happy to help, and meets Dewey’s young daughter, Elizabeth.

It doesn’t take long for the pair to become close, even though Ian tries to keep his distance. Why? You might ask. After all, he’s young and single, she’s young and single, they clearly like each other, what’s the problem? Well, it’s because Ian holds a secret, a hairy one and every full moon, it comes out. Yes, he’s a werewolf and because of that, a loner.

Where could someone like him fit in? Maybe at a carnival freak show, one run by the charismatic R.B. Harker. However, Ian doesn’t like the man and views him with cold suspicion. Whereas, once aware of Ian’s unfortunate condition, Harker must have the werewolf for his show, no matter the cost. Which would be a good story in of itself but Howling VI: The Freaks has more strings to its bow making it a much more compelling and cohesive watch.

How does Ian know Harker? What’s is Harker’s big secret? Will Alligator Boy finally be comfortable in his own skin? Will Elizabeth get the man that she desires, and will the church ever be fixed up?

Ok, that last one isn’t as important, but its testament to the film that all its subplots end up mattering. It’s not the prettiest of films, it’s not the best acted of films, but goodness, is it more watchable than many others in this franchise. The ending, which sees a werewolf face off against a vampire, might be the most absurd moment in the series, and this is a series that put Christopher Lee in new-wave sunglasses.

God, I love The Howling franchise, it’s a special kind of bad. Which is what Howling VI: The Freaks is too, a bad film done well. Thoroughly entertaining, and with a surprising amount of heart within some of its subplots. Sure, there’s plenty that doesn’t work (Ian and Elizabeth’s chemistry is non-existent and the bedroom scene is awkward), but more does than expected. It has got one of the most coherent stories of the franchise to date, some of the coolest visuals (thanks to the freakshow), and delivers a villain that actually feels like a villain, and not just a dog in heat.

It’s well worth a watch, and you don’t even have to worry about not understanding it if you’ve not seen the films that preceded it. It’s The Howling, continuity doesn’t exist!