Watch Howling VI: The Freaks

Howling VI: The Freaks is a horror film released in 1991, directed by Hope Perello, and is the sixth installment in the Howling series. The film is set in the small town of Canton Bluff, where an unusual carnival arrives, and its performers turn out to be werewolves looking to gain new members for their pack. The movie follows the character of Ian Richards (Brendan Hughes), a drifter who stumbles upon the town of Canton Bluff and becomes a target of the local population's suspicion. He soon discovers the carnival and the werewolves behind it. The main werewolf in charge of the carnival is a woman named queen of the freaks, played by Michele Matheson. Ian teams up with Mariana (Lezlie Deane) and they attempt to figure out what the werewolves want and how to stop them.

The acting performances in the movie are not top-tier, but the actors do an adequate job of bringing their roles to life. Brendan Hughes as Ian Richards, the protagonist, is likable, but somewhat unremarkable, while Michele Matheson as the queen of the freaks provides a menacing presence. The other actors, such as Sean Sullivan as Winston, and Antonio Fargas as a detective, provide some humor to the film.

The special effects in Howling VI: The Freaks are not groundbreaking, but they are serviceable, mainly consisting of practical make-up effects. The werewolves' transformation sequences are decently executed, and the use of animatronics for some of the animals within the carnival adds a bit of charm to the film.

The production design of the movie is masterful, with the carnival itself looking both eerie and enticing in equal measure, making it an excellent location for a werewolf movie. The set designers did an exceptional job of creating a creepy, rundown carnival that makes the audience feel as though they are exploring an abandoned amusement park. The cinematography also makes excellent use of the carnival setting, capturing the neon lights and the various maze-like structures in the carnival.

The pace of the movie is steady, with several action and suspenseful scenes providing enough thrills to keep the audience's attention. The writing, while not masterful, is engaging enough to keep the plot moving along. The dialogue is a bit cheesy at times, but this only adds to the film's charm.

The overall theme of the movie is about the allure of belonging and how the desire for acceptance can lead to conforming to a group's darker side. The werewolves have created a carnival to attract outsiders like Ian, who may feel isolated from society and are looking for a place to belong.

In conclusion, Howling VI: The Freaks is a decent addition to the Howling franchise, and fans of werewolf and horror movies, in general, could find this film entertaining. While it may not break any new ground in terms of storytelling, it has enough compelling elements, such as its production design, practical effects, and engaging plot, to keep viewers interested. Ultimately, Howling VI: The Freaks is a fun, low-budget horror film worth checking out.

Howling VI: The Freaks is a 1991 horror movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.2.