by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Nostalgia just might be the biggest force behind creative decisions in film today. Studios keep going back to the well of beloved projects from the past to get audiences into theaters. Creators channel their childhoods to craft projects that reflect the things they loved growing up. The 1980s are constantly being injected into films and television, with the likes of Stranger Things putting the spotlight back on them. Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (the filmmakers behind Captain Marvel) are the latest directors to channel their love of the ‘80s and in Freaky Tales.
A parallel narrative set in 1987 Oakland, Freaky Tales borrows a lot of tricks from John Carpenter’s work in the 80s. You can feel the absurdity of Big Trouble in Little China (which is specifically referenced in the film), as well as the unexpected twists and visuals of They Live. Freaky Tales even features a score which is basically ripped out of a Carpenter flick. The film has a level of camp,with glowing-eyed characters and occasional fun, animated storytelling. Boden and Fleck are playing around in their filmmaking and storytelling sandbox. They include plenty of dark comedy in each of the film’s four stories, and a few emotional beats even land as well (the deepest emotional connection is to Pedro Pascal’s story). There is a lot going on in Freaky Tales,and Boden and Fleck’s efforts are a bit too unwieldy at times, but the film works in a pulpy kind of way.
At the same time, attempting to balance four distinct stories and weave them together in a shared narrative is a tall order. The directorial and writing efforts are messy, but for a film like this, there is still joy and entertainment to be had. The opening tale about punk rockers going to battle with neo-Nazis is full of action, pizzazz, and young spirit. It’s is the perfect way to channel the ‘80s vibe and angst. Similarly, the tale of two aspiring female rappers navigates some poignant racial and gender themes, while also offering up a hilarious and biting rap battle.
But the heart of the film is Pascal’s Clint trying to move on from past his life of muscling people, to be with his pregnant wife Grace (Natalia Dominguez). Their dynamic is the most charming and endearing piece of the film, making it even more impactful when tragedy strikes. The final leg of the film pulls the threads together in a wild genre-bending climax with fantastical elements. Blood and guts galore too. There is a lot to like, process, and unravel with this crazy flick, but at least the fun is enough to overcome its messier elements.
As for the cast, Pascal brings presence and weight to a film that struggles with depth. His performance is strong with his natural charisma, and he has great chemistry with Dominguez. Pascal gets a decent amount of screen time, and the film is better for it. The next biggest name on board is Ben Mendelsohn, who just oozes menace and hate. His antagonistic turn is needed for some elements of the film to work. Jay Ellis fully commits to his basketball player role with wild mysteries underneath the surface. There are plenty of other fun performances (and one wild cameo), but Normani and Dominique Thorne are just a blast as the aspiring rappers — they kill it in their big moment.
If you love campy ‘80s fun with dashes of action, comedy, and fantastical elements, Freaky Tales is the film for you. It has a nice mix of veteran talents and up-and-coming performers, and they all bring plenty to the table. Boden and Fleck are having fun behind the camera so audiences can have fun in their seats at the theater. The film might just be a messy weave of tales, but it excels at being a wicked good time with buckets of personality.
Rating: It Was Just Okay
Freaky Tales is currently playing in theaters
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