The Howling (1981) still ranks among my favorite werewolf films, although it does show its age now; however, the underlying sense of dread remains palpable, and the special effects are still impressive considering how far those techniques have advanced. What’s truly remarkable is that it led to a series of sequels, creating a franchise that didn't just miss the point of writer Gary Brander's original story but also produced narratives that felt disjointed from the established werewolf formula. Part VI: The Freaks isn’t a particularly good movie, yet its central concept is intriguing—the narrative moves into the unsettling world of circus performers, which should appeal to those who enjoy carnival or fairground horror films. It's this setting, along with the overall eerie atmosphere created by director Hope Perello and cinematographer Edward Pei, that elevates this sequel beyond mediocrity. The story centers on a wanderer called Ian (Brendan Hughes) arriving in Canton Bluff. Despite some resistance from the local sheriff, he finds lodging with troubled pastor Dewey (Jered Barclay) and his daughter Elizabeth (Michele Matheson). Things appear peaceful until a traveling show named Harker’s World of Wonders arrives. Led by the enigmatic R.B. Harker (Bruce Payne), it's a display of oddities, freaks, and misfits. But both Harker and Ian harbor secrets, and when those are revealed, Canton Bluff will be irrevocably changed. The film’s promotional poster essentially gives away the plot, so there’s no surprise in saying that everything leads to a monster confrontation; the character's name of Harker is a not-so-subtle indication as well. In between, there’s the usual development of relationships, with Ian struggling with his inner turmoil while growing fond of both Elizabeth and Dewey, and the tours around the "show" are appropriately unsettling. Payne delivers entertaining, over-the-top aristocratic performance, and seeing Antonio Fargas and Carol Lynley in this film adds some novelty, serving as a reminder that actors sometimes need to take whatever work they can get! The movie is well presented and never feels cheap, and considering the budget it received, deserves a sort of hesitant acknowledgement. Even so, it’s not essential viewing for werewolf fans. 6/10

Source on TMDB