Freaky – Review

This film I knew nothing about going in, other than it was from the same director as the good Happy Death Day flicks, and that was for the best. Freaky delivers some fun and a few scares with a quality time all around. A typical horror opening shouldn’t turn viewers off, as this film presents a lot of jokes and a few nice spins on the genre. There definitely is a good amount of comedy, despite blood spattering immediately.

As the initial scene introduces an ancient Mesoamerican dagger, La Dola, chaos is in the air. A killer named The Blissfield Butcher (Vaughn) has killed some people and stolen the knife from a display case.

It’s almost Halloween and Blissfield Valley High School is prepping for a big dance. The understated shy blonde girl Millie Kessler (Newton) gossips with her besties Nyla Chones (O’Connor) and Josh Detmer (Osherovich) and focuses on her overwhelming crush on cool kid Brooker Strode (Shelton). Millie’s recent troubles stem from her father passing away, and kids at school bullying her, as well as being the sports mascot. It all has left her timid and reserved.

As her alcoholic mother Coral (Finneran) sleeps through picking her up after the Friday night football game, and her sister Char (Drori) is busy working as a cop, Millie is left alone late at night, with a killer on the loose. A certainly scary setup, however this film is just getting started as it is about to whammy the viewer with a few nice twists and drop some comedic bombs.

Freaky features a very fun premise which is executed quite well, all thanks to very detailed performances by Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton. They both had to do a lot of heavy lifting in this film to make it all work, however the script gave them a lot to work with, and the quality team surrounding them all worked to craft this solid movie.

Despite this really being a showcase for the two main characters, side actors are all realized enough to get some emotional pull out of them, and deliver much needed humor and story background enhancements. The sleek direction gives a spooky atmosphere which is well balanced out by silly moments and funny lines.

Horror comedies don’t always work, but the core premise here is a great foundation, and a good script brings out plenty for the cast. The film is put together competently and delivers thrills, child and laughs.