News

Review: ‘Freaks’ Is A Brilliant Slow-Burn Sci-Fi Thriller

Published

6 years ago

September 11, 2018

Perhaps the most difficult part of presenting a genre story, be it science fiction, fantasy, or horror is presenting that world to the viewer. A world that can be similar to our own or different in ways we couldn’t have imagined, it all hinges on the audience accepting it. Many stories are up-front, telling the viewer through exposition or narration to give them all the details on the universe they are about to enter. Freaks is of a smaller percentage, one that deserves more respect, for dropping us in and letting us piece together the clues of this mysterious, dangerous new world.

Via IMDB

Freaks follows a young girl named Chloe (Lexy Kolker) who has spent her entire life living with her paranoid and sleep deprived Dad (Emile Hirsch) inside their derelict home. He homeschools her, teaching her basic curriculum, but also survival techniques, instilling an intense fear of the world and of strangers, and how to act ‘normal.’ But Chloe longs to see the outside, tempted by a jaunty ice cream truck that pulls up directly in front of her home as though to taunt her. The truck run by the eccentric Mr. Snowcone (Bruce Dern) who catches eye and seems to know more than an average ice cream man. As Chloe’s hunger for freedom and ice cream grows, she’ll become entangled in the web of danger and intrigue that led to her isolated existence, the eerie phenomena around her, and the fate of her mother…

Freaks was directed and written by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, who have done work with Disney properties such as MECH-X4 and the upcoming live-action Kim Possible movie. Which makes perfect sense for a story such as this, doing excellent work with the young lead actress, Lexy Kolker. Though the film is low-budgeted, with a small cast and locations, it works incredibly well for the way they unfold the story accentuated with some rather nice looking SF and CGI. Starting in Chloe’s room and the quarantined existence she lives in before expanding outside the home and showing rather than telling the bizarre state of the world. The mystery of Chloe, her father, and the threat against them is enthralling for its slow speed and obscurity, which is why I want to avoid as many details as possible and recommend going to see the story as blind as you can.

Via Youtube

The cast really shines in such a small scope but major spotlight. Bruce Dern as the ambiguously sinister ‘Mr. Snowcone’ gets our attention with every appearance. Acting jovial to Chloe, but hinting at whatever wicked objectives he has in mind. Emile Hirsch shines as Chloe’s father, frightening in his sheer devotion to protecting his daughter from whatever danger he sees from the outside world and whether it’s founded in reality or some sort of mad delusion. And of course, Lexy Kolker does a phenomenal job as Chloe. A child in a hazardous situation, but still with childish attitudes toward it and wants like dessert and the love of a mother figure.

Once you see the movie, the influences on the story will be quite clear. Which makes the subversions and twists to the genre all the more interesting. There are a couple of pacing issues once things become clear, but the film must be commended for pulling off such an intricate slow-burn reveal.

If you’re in the mood for a mystery combined with a family drama of amazing proportions, see Freaks and prepare for some shocks.

And check out iHorror’s own Kelly McNeely interview with Freaks directors/writers, Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein!

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Editorial

Yay or Nay: What’s Good and Bad in Horror This Week

Published

18 hours ago

May 4, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Welcome to Yay or Nay a weekly mini post about what I think is good and bad news in the horror community written in bite-sized chunks.

Yay:

Mike Flanagan talking about directing the next chapter in the Exorcist trilogy. That might mean he saw the last one and realized there were two left and if he does anything well it’s draw out a story.

Yay:

To the announcement of a new IP-based film Mickey Vs Winnie. It’s fun to read comical hot takes from people who haven’t even seen the movie yet.

Nay:

The new Faces of Death reboot gets an R rating. It’s not really fair — Gen-Z should get an unrated version like past generations so they can question their mortality the same as the rest of us did.

Yay:

Russell Crowe is doing another possession movie. He’s quickly becoming another Nic Cage by saying yes to every script, bringing the magic back to B-movies, and more money into VOD.

Nay:

Putting The Crow back in theaters for its 30th anniversary. Re-releasing classic movies at the cinema to celebrate a milestone is perfectly fine, but doing so when the lead actor in that film was killed on set due to neglect is a cash grab of the worst kind.

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Lists

The Top-Searched Free Horror/Action Movies on Tubi This Week

Published

1 day ago

May 3, 2024

Timothy Rawles

The free streaming service Tubi is a great place to scroll when you’re unsure what to watch. They are not sponsored or affiliated with iHorror. Still, we really appreciate their library because it’s so robust and has many obscure horror movies so rare you can’t find them anywhere in the wild except, if you’re lucky, in a moist cardboard box at a yard sale. Other than Tubi, where else are you going to find Nightwish (1990), Spookies (1986), or The Power (1984)?

We take a look at the most searched horror titles on the platform this week, hopefully, to save you some time in your endeavor to find something free to watch on Tubi.

Interestingly at the top of the list is one of the most polarizing sequels ever made, the female-led Ghostbusters reboot from 2016. Perhaps viewers have seen the latest sequel Frozen Empire and are curious about this franchise anomaly. They will be happy to know it’s not as bad as some think and is genuinely funny in spots.

So take a look at the list below and tell us if you are interested in any of them this weekend.

1. Ghostbusters (2016)

Ghostbusters (2016)

An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.An otherworldly invasion of New York City assembles a pair of proton-packed paranormal enthusiasts, a nuclear engineer and a subway worker for battle.

2. Rampage

When a group of animals becomes vicious after a genetic experiment goes awry, a primatologist must find an antidote to avert a global catastrophe.

3. The Conjuring The Devil Made Me Do It

Paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren uncover an occult conspiracy as they help a defendant argue that a demon forced him to commit murder.

4. Terrifier 2

After being resurrected by a sinister entity, Art the Clown returns to Miles County, where his next victims, a teenage girl and her brother, await.

5. Don’t Breathe

A group of teens breaks into a blind man’s home, thinking they’ll get away with the perfect crime but get more than they bargained for once inside.

6. The Conjuring 2

In one of their most terrifying paranormal investigations, Lorraine and Ed Warren help a single mother of four in a house plagued by sinister spirits.

7. Child’s Play (1988)

A dying serial killer uses voodoo to transfer his soul into a Chucky doll which winds up in the hands of a boy who may be the doll’s next victim.

8. Jeepers Creepers 2

When their bus breaks down on a deserted road, a team of high school athletes discovers an opponent they cannot defeat and may not survive.

9. Jeepers Creepers

After making a horrific discovery in the basement of an old church, a pair of siblings find themselves the chosen prey of an indestructible force.

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News

Morticia & Wednesday Addams Join Monster High Skullector Series

Published

2 days ago

May 3, 2024

Timothy Rawles

Believe it or not, Mattel’s Monster High doll brand has an immense following with both young and not-so-young collectors.

In that same vein, the fan base for The Addams Family is also very large. Now, the two are collaborating to create a line of collectible dolls that celebrate both worlds and what they have created is a combination of fashion dolls and goth fantasy. Forget Barbie, these ladies know who they are.

The dolls are based on Morticia and Wednesday Addams from the 2019 Addams Family animated movie.

As with any niche collectibles these aren’t cheap they bring with them a $90 price tag, but it’s an investment as a lot of these toys become more valuable over time.

“There goes the neighborhood. Meet the Addams Family’s ghoulishly glamorous mother-daughter duo with a Monster High twist. Inspired by the animated movie and clad in spiderweb lace and skull prints, the Morticia and Wednesday Addams Skullector doll two-pack makes for a gift that’s so macabre, it’s downright pathological.”

If you want to pre-purchase this set check out The Monster High website.