Howling VI: The Freaks

A young girl runs through the woods while pursued by a monstrous creature. The chase ends with the creature cornering and killing her, establishing the deadly threat that haunts Canton Bluff. The opening sets a stark horror tone for the rest of the story.

A drifter named Ian Richards arrives in Canton Bluff and quickly befriends Pastor Dewey. He lands a job repairing the church and begins forming a connection with Dewey's daughter, Elizabeth, setting the stage for a budding romance.

A traveling circus arrives in town and sets up a disturbing freakshow featuring Bellamey, Toones, Carl/Carlotta, and Winston. Ian takes Elizabeth to the show on a date, drawn by curiosity and the town's rumors. That night, Anna Eddington—the local bank president—vanishes after spending time alone with Harker.

Before the full moon, Ian tries to leave town but cannot. He transforms into a werewolf, a sight Bellamey reports to Harker. Harker captures Ian and exposes his curse to Dewey and Elizabeth by forcing a transformation with a crystal talisman and an ancient spell.

Ian wakes imprisoned in a cage inside the circus. Harker claims Elizabeth is dead, a lie meant to keep Ian compliant. In reality, Harker has kidnapped other freaks, including Winston, to keep control over his troupe.

Winston befriends Ian and asks to be turned into a werewolf so he can feel different. Ian refuses and urges Winston to leave, hoping to break the cycle. Sheriff Fuller visits and reveals that Elizabeth is alive.

Elizabeth is confirmed alive by Sheriff Fuller, but Ian chooses to remain imprisoned to avoid harming anyone. His decision cements Harker's hold over him as the carnival continues.

Harker forces Ian to transform again later that night, displaying the werewolf onstage for the crowd. The forced spectacle deepens Ian's sense of captivity and fuels the circus's eerie atmosphere.

Harker provokes Ian by tossing Winston's cat into the ring, hoping the werewolf will kill it. Ian refuses to kill the animal and returns the cat to Winston, prompting Bellamey to cancel the show and punish Ian harshly.

Sheriff Fuller discovers Anna's body at the circus and tries to arrest Harker. Harker reveals his true vampire nature and murders the sheriff, escalating the town's nightmare.

The townsfolk blame Ian for Fuller’s murder, pushing him to escape. He tricks Bellamey and escapes with Elizabeth, who believes in his innocence despite the mounting danger.

Ian confronts Harker and reveals that Harker killed his family long ago and cursed him with the werewolf condition. The revelation deepens the vendetta between them and shifts the balance of power.

Ian returns to the circus to fight Harker, only to be confronted by a lynch mob armed with guns. Harker reveals himself as a vampire, proving the weapons useless, and the mob flees in fear.

Elizabeth is attacked by Toones during the chaos, and she shoots him dead. Carl/Carlotta witnesses this and is killed by Dewey’s arrow after attacking Elizabeth.

Winston urges transformation and hands Ian the means to fight back. Ian transforms to defend Winston, Harker bites Winston, and Ian bites Winston in return as a trap. Ian then stabs Harker in the heart with a tent stake, and the morning sun floods the tent, burning Harker to dust. Ian returns to human form and leaves with the badly injured Winston, while Elizabeth and Dewey watch from the shadows.