Freaky
(Universal Pictures/Blumhouse Productions)
By Lucas Allen
“Freaky” is the latest entry from Blumhouse Productions, which specializes in making mid-budget horror films with talent behind and in front of the camera like earlier this year’s “The Invisible Man.” The film is a horror/comedy that mixes two well-known 80s subgenres, mixing a slasher film and a body-swapping comedy into one crazy package. Calling it “Freaky Friday the 13th” would’ve been too on-the-nose, and it would’ve been perceived as a Zucker Brothers spoof. However, it’s done with straightforward direction by Christopher Landon, who also did “Happy Death Day” for Blumhouse.
Shy and unpopular in high school, Millie (Kathryn Newton) faces dilemma after dilemma since the death of her father. Not only does she have to deal with her alcoholic mother (Katie Finnernan) and is unsure about going to college, but she faces daily torments from her classmates and shop teacher Mr. Fletcher (Alan Ruck). She also still vies for her secret crush Booker (Uriah Shelton). After a homecoming game one night, she finds herself being stalked by a serial killer called the Blissful Butcher (Vince Vaughn), then stabbed by an unusual knife he holds. That knife is an ancient Aztec knife, and it makes its victims magically swaps bodies with anyone who holds it.
That’s what happens the following morning when Millie finds herself in the body of the killer. Now on the run from the cops, including her big sister Charlene (Dana Drori), she has to rely on her best friends Nyla (Celeste O’Connor) and Josh (Misha Osherovich) to help her find a way out of the problem. It won’t be easy, because they only have until midnight or she’ll be stuck in the body permanently. Meanwhile, the Butcher makes a killing in his new body, leading up to an appearance at the homecoming dance.
Much like his “Happy Death Day” films, Landon likes to be subversive when he combines slasher films with high-concept comedy. In this case, he proves to be cleverer with the script he co-wrote with Michael Kennedy filled with the usual tropes with some meta commentary. The film works more as a comedy with the swapped bodies and how two different characters deal with it. Despite some moments of cringe-inducing humor from some of the characters, the movie succeeds in staying focused on the plot while balancing the horror with the comedy.
Speaking of horror, this is where the movie excels the most. Yes, there are cliches and conventions that horror fans can expect, but the kills are the most creative parts. Wonderfully done with practical effects, it puts other horror films with CGI blood to shame. It’s great to see some passion and effort from any filmmaker who wants to take us back to the glory days of the sub-genre with everything happening in-camera rather than computerized.
Though his dry humor is a required taste, Vaughn proves he does have range as an actor, especially when he plays a terrifying killer and a female high school student in the same body. He’s very hilarious in the double role, which is ironic, considering his previous “serial-killer” role was Norman Bates in the infamous 1998 shot-for-shot, color remake of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho.
Newton is also great in her double role juggling between playing a shy teenager and a seductive murderer. The rest of the cast play their roles perfectly fine, since most of them were written to be murdered.
At 102 minutes, “Freaky” could’ve cut some of the awkward humor out for a more pleasant 90-minute experience. However, it’s still a very fun horror/comedy with enough laughs and screams to please its wide R-rated audience. It may have been late to the Halloween party, but it’s a satisfying treat.
THE MOVIE’S RATING: R (for strong bloody horror violence, sexual content, and language throughout)
THE CRITIC’S RATING: 3.5 Stars (Out of Four)
