"Freaky" (2020) | Sam Gall Movie Review Issue #84 Gem Mint 10.0

“Freaky“ (2020)

Director: Christopher Landon

Writer: Michael J. Kennedy, Christopher Landon

Starring: Kathryn Newton, Vince Vaughn, Alan Ruck, Uriah Shelton, Misha Osherovich, Celeste O'Connor, Katie Finneran, Magnus Diehl

Rated: R for strong bloody horror violence, sexual content, and language throughout

Runtime: 1h 42mins

Genre: Comedy, Horror, Thriller

Country: USA

Language: English

You might like this if you like: Horror Movies, Thrillers, Comedies, Horror-Comedies, Genre Mixing, Serial Killer Movies, High School Movies, Vince Vaughn, Kathryn Newton, Alan Ruck, “Freaky Friday” movies, “Friday the 13th” movies, “Scream” movies, “Hot Chick” (2002)

"Freaky" (2020)

I first heard the word on “Freaky” (2020) through childhood and hometown friend; Magnus Diehl who’s got quite a nice role in this film! It looked like it was right down my alley 👌

I fell in love with the concept and even more; the trailer (1st one). I probably watched that thing 50 times. I was pumped. To the point I was worried I was building it up too much.

Opening weekend for "Freaky" (2020) in theaters!

My fiancé, Rachel, and I made plans and headed out to the theater to see “Freaky” (2020) opening weekend. Going in, I’d been a big fan of Vince Vaughn’s just from his catalogue of work, Kathryn Newton from HBO's “Big Little Lies” and Alan Ruck from HBO’s “Succession”. Vaughn truly won me over and showed me he had mastered both sides of that character which were essentially entirely two different genres. My favorite quote I saw was “Vince Vaughn plays a better teenage girl than most teenage girls”. Kathryn Newton... I was just so happy to see her in a deserving lead role. Such an incredible character and Newton knocked it out of the park. Alan Ruck was just a blast to watch. He’s been a new favorite of mine lately.

Vince Vaughn (left) & Kathryn Newton (right) in "Freaky" (2020)

The big draw for me though was it’s insane concept and genre mixing. As Rachel described it, and was what excited her, it was “Hot Chick” (2002) meets “Scream” (1996). I’m aware the filmmaker’s inspiration were the “Freaky Friday” films and “Friday the 13th” even as far as almost calling the film “Freaky Friday the 13th”. I just love the “Hot Chick” (2002) meets “Scream” (1996) description.

The newcomers were outstanding! Uriah Shelton was wonderful as Booker, Misha Osherovich was one of the most memorable and enjoyable parts of the film along with Celeste O'Connor killing it!

Kathryn Newton (left) & Vince Vaughn (right) in "Freaky" (2020)

The movie was everything I wanted it to be and more! It was a beautiful balance of thrills and laughs! You get the high school movie mashed up with a psycho killer flick and some fun supernatural elements mixed in! It’s truly a blast and just overall fun! It’s got it’s gory moments but it’s also got a strong beating heart that elevates the spirit more than most horror flicks do.

I was overjoyed to see my buddy Magnus Diehl as one of the football players named Phil. I kept having to pinch myself because I got so sucked into the story that I forgot I knew someone in it.

Magnus Diehl in "Freaky" (2020)

I’m even more overjoyed at how well the film’s been doing, it was the #1 movie in the USA opening week, winning well deserved awards and hopefully carving a path for newcomers like Kathryn Newton and my boy; Magnus Diehl. Major props to Christopher Landon, Michael J Kennedy and Jason Blum for helping tell this awesome story!

Congrats to everyone involved! Such an accomplishment! Truly one of my new favorite films of all time! The perfect comedy thriller for the holidays! Check it out in theaters safely on various VOD platforms starting December 4th, 2020.

Check out my exciting interview with “Freaky” (2020) actor; Magnus Diehl!

"Freaky" (2020)

Written by Sam Gall on 11/21/20

CGC Grading: Gem Mint 10.0

"I know this is impossible, because these kinds of films never earn Oscar nominations. But darned if Vaughn doesn't deserve one for his performance here... He's hysterically funny and endearing. The whole movie, in fact, is a real scream." - Linda Cook, OurQuadCities / WHBF-TV (Illinois)

"While the horror elements are more gory than scary, the action is expertly executed. Also well-judged are the plentiful callbacks to '80s/'90s scare flicks and body-swap-coms." - Erlingur Einarsson, Total Film

"We have seen countless slasher flicks centered around high school kids, yet Freaky is clever, twisted, and a ton of fun." - Paul McGuire Grimes, KSTP-TV (St. Paul, MN)

Official Trailer:

Behind the Scenes:

In select theaters and available on VOD November 30th, 2020.

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