The entire film world has become a desert of releases during the pandemic. Financial risk that come with home releases have forced production companies to halt or delay most mainstream productions. Blumhouse took a huge risk with the release of “Freaky” in select theatres and now digital and home release. The results have been fantastic pulling in around 15 million and growing. Let us have a look at why this horror/comedy has performed so well.
Millie Kessler is your bang average teenage high school senior. Dealing with the usual teenage angst of insecurity, popularity and academic performance, Millie is also coping with the recent loss of her father and an overbearing alcoholic mother. Oh yes, and the fact that she lives in a town famous for having a serial killer who targets teens and has just struck again. Millie’s bad luck continues as she is attacked by the local stalker, The Blissfield Butcher. While her young death would have been tragic a worse fate awaits Millie. Through an odd circumstance she awakens in the body of The Butcher and he vice versa. Millie has twenty-four hours to convince her friends that she has inherited his body and try and stop her evil doppelganger from killing everyone she knows.
Christopher Landon serves up another smash, coming from his hit “Happy Death Day,” and great work in the Paranormal Activity series. Body transformation is nothing new in the world of film, but Landon gives the horror nation its own twist in gory and comedic fashion. Set as a horror/comedy, “Freaky,” does not hold back on the horror. The opening slasher sequence is as good as any multi-kill scene in recent horror history. Not satisfied with the opening gore fest, Landon sprinkles in several other original kills through the film that will have horror heads spinning. Vince Vaughn not only brings a big name to the table but puts in a fantastic physical and comedic role. He brings the laughter of “Wedding Crashers” and the intimidating presence of “Brawl in Cell Block 99.” Female lead Kathryn Newton puts in a very good effort as well. Her comedic performance is best suited as the lovable loser but her take as a psycho teen queen is at times barely believable.
The contrast from the two leads obvious from the more experienced Vaughn. “Freaky” is a fun horror romp that keeps the kills coming and the pace rolling. The film is not without its flaws. While the horror element is terrific, the comedy is average at best. A few one liners are memorable but watching Vaughn scream like a teen and Newton sprout vulgarity loses its effect after the first few takes. “Freaky” is a must view for fans of horror/comedy and a fresh breath in a dry market that has left everyone gasping for air. While classic horror troupes like “Student Bodies” and “Young Frankenstein” can be viewed hundreds of times without feeling stale, “Freaky” is a one and done experience. Quickly admired and Quickly forgotten.
Scream Score: 8.1/10