Freaky Tales: An Original Genre Exercise (Early Review)

The underdog story across film is one that transcends all genres. Watching the prototypical little guy overcome their respective adversity is a beat that works time and time again, if it’s done right. And in that fight, there is often a subtext in order to give it a deeper meaning but in the end, it is the emotional connection it creates between audiences and characters that ultimately prevails. When it comes to underdogs, why not Oakland, California? Marking quite the departure from the writing-directing team of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck is Freaky Tales, an interconnecting semi-anthology genre film that clearly takes inspiration of the genre films of the 1980s and boasts the kind of bold energy and style that is hard to deny. That being said, it will certainly not be for everyone but genre film fans will be treated to a feast of the eyes and the senses. Featuring four connected stories that each offer a little thing different, the comparisons to one another are inevitable. However, for the most part, these stories work together as a whole and with a cast including the likes of Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, and Tom Hanks just to name a few, the result is one of the best films of the year so far.

As mentioned, Freaky Tales is an semi-anthology genre film that takes place over the course of a day in 1987 Oakland, California. Where Fleck grew up, the film is a love letter to the iconic city and follows characters from all walks of life who are simply trying to get through their days. Representing the rich tapestry that was the Bay Area, the directions each story take are sure to resonate with audiences. The first of those, entitled “The Gilman Strikes Back,” saw love-smitten teens Lucid (Jack Champion) and Tina (Ji-young Yoo) and the rest of their punk-loving compatriots take on a violent gang of Nazi skinheads who threatened their refuge as a community. Going against their better nature, the punks would need to band together and protect their home against those looking to do it harm. A story clearly inspired by The Warriors, something had to give as that underlying tension would lead up to a showdown that did not disappoint.

Shining a light on yet another facet of Oakland culture, the second story, entitled “Don’t Fight the Feeling,” saw aspiring rappers rappers Barbie (Dominique Thorne) and Entice (Normani) look to finally get their big break, given the opportunity to take the stage with famed rapper Too $hort (Symba) in a rap battle for the ages. Full of nerves, the two young women must prove to everyone, and themselves, that they have what it takes and can make a name for themselves and their duo ‘Danger Zone.’ Perhaps the least-eventful story of the four entries, the ensuing battle is an absolute thrill to watch. On the other hand, the third story, entitled “Born to Mack,” takes on somewhat of a sombre tone as its focus is Clint (Pascal), a career debt collector who had grown tired of his violent occupation. Looking to move on, claiming his last job as his last job proved to be a mistake as his occupation, and his boss (Mendelsohn), was not quite done with him. Despite hating violence, he found himself trapped in that endless cycle while saddled with the baggage of his past.

The fourth and final story, entitled “The Legend of Sleepy Floyd,” is centered around the titular real life professional basketball player and Golden State Warriors legend following his record performance in game four of the 1987 NBA Western Conference Semifinals between the Warriors and the Los Angeles Lakers. Riding the highest of highs, Floyd (Ellis) was met with the lowest of lows as tragedy struck. Without giving anything away, what came next is an absolutely bonkers finale full of kung fu and swordplay that will have audiences stand up and cheer at the sheer display of violence. While it may flirt with logic and reason, those types of concerns will be far from the first thing to come to mind after watching it. Leaning more into the fast paced action space, Freaky Tales offers another angle. All tied together by a mysterious green lightning type energy, the cohesive thread to bring the stories together perhaps doesn’t quite hit as well but it still finds a great balance between its many inspirations, honoring them and maintaining a consistent tone akin to that of classic B-movies.

Admittedly out there as a premise, Freaky Tales never loses control. As inventive as it is original, a film like this requirements commitment from top to bottom. Strong writing and direction from Boden and Fleck keep it in check as they get to show off some of their flair in bringing what is essentially a four-part underdog story to life and letting it play out in so many different ways. Though not the best examples of the genres it emulates has to offer, it works as a whole. A large reason why is its performances. The big names here expectedly deliver with Pascal delivering the best performance as Clint and Ellis delivering the most entertaining performance as Floyd, while Tom Hanks shines in a quick cameo appearance.

At the end of the day, Freaky Tales may not be necessarily freaky but shines as an original genre exercise that takes big swings, resulting in one of the most original and entertaining films this year.

still courtesy of Lionsgate/Cineplex Pictures

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.