Howling V: The Rebirth

Howling V: The Rebirth

Year: 1989

Runtime: 96 mins

Language: English

Director: Neal Sundstrom

HorrorHorror the undead and monster classicsGory gruesome and slasher horrorCreepy chilling and terrifying horrorGothic and eerie haunting horror

A mysterious beast reawakens when strangers from varied backgrounds gather inside a centuries‑old, sealed castle on the outskirts of Budapest. Unbeknownst to them, a werewolf has been unleashed, and it begins hunting them one by one, thinning their numbers as terror spreads through the ancient walls.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Howling V: The Rebirth (1989)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Howling V: The Rebirth (1989). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

1989 (backstory in 1489)

The present unfolds in 1989 with a castle reopening, trapping a group of guests inside. A flashback to 1489 explains the original massacre that seeded the werewolf legend. The lunar cycle in the modern events triggers transformations and heightens peril, linking past and present through bloodlines and revenge. The juxtaposition of medieval history and contemporary suspense anchors the film’s pace.

Location

Budapest, Hungary, Castle

The story unfolds around a remote Hungarian castle near Budapest, its stone walls steeped in a violent history. Inside, secret passages and a dungeon create a claustrophobic atmosphere that feeds the mystery. The castle’s aged grandeur and wintry surroundings amplify the sense that a long-buried curse can resurface at any moment.

🏰 Castle setting 🗝️ Secrets ❄️ Snowy landscape

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:35

Main Characters – Howling V: The Rebirth (1989)

Meet the key characters of Howling V: The Rebirth (1989), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jonathan Lane (Mark Sivertsen)

Jonathan is a curious guest who probes the castle’s history and hidden passages. He aggressively seeks clues to the truth while the danger closes in, becoming a tragic casualty as the night spirals out of control.

🧭 Investigator 💀 Victim

Count Istvan (Phil Davis)

The Count orchestrates the gathering as a calculated trap tied to the family’s curse. He wields charm and control to bend others to his will, masking ruthless ambition beneath a cordial surface. His downfall comes when his deception is exposed and the hunt tightens around him.

👑 Mastermind 🗡️ Villain

Richard Hamilton (William Shockley)

Richard is the skeptical, pragmatic observer who tries to piece together the castle’s dark history. He moves to uncover the truth but falls victim to the escalating violence. His cautious nature contrasts with the mounting panic.

🕵️‍♂️ Skeptic ⚰️ Victim

Anna (Mary Stavin)

Anna is the actress among the group, used as a lure and a foil for the mounting tension. She carries a composed demeanor that cracks under pressure as danger closes in, ultimately meeting a deadly end.

🎭 Actress ⚰️ Victim

David Gillespie (Ben Cole)

David is practical and level-headed, often clashing with others over how to respond to the threat. He navigates the castle’s danger, forms uneasy bonds, and fights to uncover the truth, surviving until the climactic confrontation.

🧭 Pragmatic 🛡️ Survivor

Peter (József Madaras)

Peter is curious and impulsive, quick to scheme but prone to miscalculation. He sabotages others’ plans, sustains injuries, and ultimately crosses lines that seal his fate, intensifying the night’s tension.

🧰 Impulsive ⚔️ Tragic

Susan (Renáta Szatler)

Susan is a secondary participant drawn into the deadly game. She becomes collateral damage as rival plots collide, underscoring the price of secrecy within the castle. Her fate underscores the peril everyone faces when a deadly lineage lies in wait.

👁️ Insider ⚰️ Victim

Marylou Summers (Elizabeth Shé)

Marylou presents a composed, intelligent exterior but harbors a hidden ferocity. She survives the initial night only to reveal the castle’s curse by transforming into the werewolf at the full moon. Her dual nature becomes the crucial twist that resolves the mystery.

🐺 Werewolf 🧭 Secret

Gail Cameron (Stephanie Faulkner)

Gail is perceptive and wary, sensing that something is wrong within the castle. She voices suspicions early and becomes a target as danger mounts, increasing the tension as the night unfolds.

👀 Suspicious 🧭 Perceptive

Eleanor (Jill Pearson)

Eleanor participates in the gathering, contributing to the ensemble dynamic. She moves through the castle with others, sharing in fear and uncertainty as secrets threaten everyone.

👩‍🎤 Supporting 🧭 Loyal

Dr. Catherine Peake (Victoria Catlin)

Catherine is the scientist among them, analyzing clues and attempting to rationalize the supernatural danger. Her logical approach collides with the castle’s ominous history, and she becomes entangled in the peril as the bodies mount.

🔬 Scientist 🧭 Investigator

Ray Price (Clive Turner)

Ray is the practical, level-headed member who tries to keep the group calm. He is killed outside in the snow, a brutal reminder of how quickly safety can vanish in a sealed environment.

🧭 Practical ❄️ Victim

Professor (Nigel Triffitt)

The Professor is the scholarly mind who begins to piece together the castle’s history. His discoveries threaten the plans of others and put him in danger, leading to a perilous end as the mystery deepens.

🎓 Scholar 🗝️ Lorekeeper

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:35

Major Themes – Howling V: The Rebirth (1989)

Explore the central themes of Howling V: The Rebirth (1989), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🧬 Family Curse

The core tension comes from a hereditary curse that binds the castle’s inhabitants across generations. Descendants of the ancient family are drawn into a deadly fate, manipulated by the Count who leverages bloodlines for control. The theme emphasizes how legacy shapes trust, power, and survival in a claustrophobic setting.

🗝️ Secrets

The castle hides many secrets: hidden passages, a dungeon, and a labyrinth that misleads the guests. Clues emerge slowly as characters question invitations and motives. The unraveling of these secrets drives the investigation and heightens paranoia.

🐺 Werewolf

The legendary werewolf is not mere folklore but a predatory force tied to bloodlines and the full moon. Transformation becomes a physical embodiment of the curse, turning allies into threats. The werewolf motif interplays with betrayal, fear, and the struggle for control of fate.

🔪 Betrayal

Betrayal threads through the guests as alliances fracture under pressure. Characters manipulate, mislead, and turn on one another to survive or exploit the curse. The Count’s manipulation reveals how greed and lineage corrupt trust within the castle’s deadly game.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 13:35

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Howling V: The Rebirth Summary

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Howling V: The Rebirth Summary

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Howling V: The Rebirth Timeline

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