FREAKY TALES
Starring: Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, Ji-young Yoo, Jack Champion, Dominique Thorne, Normani, Keir Gilchrist, and Angus Cloud
Directors: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck
NICK
There's no better compliment or descriptor I can give Freaky Tales than to say it's just a straight-up vibe. It captures the 80s perfectly with its music and overall feel while the anthology formula works to mask any of its plot shortcomings. Although it may feel directionless at times, patience will be rewarded as the stories begin to come together ahead of an explosive finale. From its infusion of animation, to its over-the-top characters, to a surprising yet pitch-perfect cameo, above all else, Freaky Tales is a purely fun and chaotic time.
AMARÚ
When you’re from The Town (a.k.a. Oakland) (or you lived there for a long period of time like I did), there’s a part of you that is always connected to its spirit. There’s no way to explain it unless you've lived it, but Bay Area native Ryan Fleck and his directing partner Anna Boden come heartwarmingly close to visually representing it in Freaky Tales. Their mix of gritty texture and retro-futurism allows an eclectic and entertaining ensemble to embody the revolutionary, family-centered, unfiltered, unfair but resilient East Bay culture. This film is hella Oakland, and honestly, that is all that needs to be said about how good it is.
PAIGE
Freaky Tales has cult classic written all over it. With four interconnected stories, this bonkers anthology film features an impressive ensemble and such fun cameos. It’s a bit messy narratively, and not everything ties together perfectly, but man, does this film have style. This campy, ultra-violent flick will certainly have you entertained from beginning to end with its stylish grindhouse vibe and zany energy. Not only did directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck craft a love letter to Oakland, but they accomplished it in a way that is both compelling and in line with the distinct aesthetic of films from the 80s.
QUENTIN
While Freaky Tales has moments of brilliance — notably the overarching presence of Too $hort as the narrator, an on-screen character, and a cameo in a movie about Oakland in the 80s — the Tarantino-esque story structure makes for a very disjointed viewing experience. There are multiple seemingly disparate chapters that, although they loosely tie together eventually, make it hard to become invested in the barely-there throughline. That said, a cameo here, a rap battle there, the stylish 80s pastiche, and a bloody finale provide enjoyment in a vacuum in the same way that watching a YouTube clip might. It just doesn't hold together well as a movie.
KATIE
I often find anthology films inconsistent with wildly varying quality, but Freaky Tales turned out to be one of my favourite films of 2025 so far. With four separate but interconnected chapters taking place in the same city, each story is equally as entertaining and fun, and whilst distinct, they come together without feeling forced. It indulges in different styles, and draws inspiration from various genres and aesthetics, from comic book-style visuals to Tarantino-inspired bloodshed, with an anarchic and mischievous energy that ties it all together. Along with the fantastic performances and unexpected cameos, Freaky Tales is a ridiculously fun time.
BODE
In the context of directorial duo Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck’s career, Freaky Tales is fascinating, especially since their previous work (which includes 2019’s Captain Marvel) didn’t quite indicate that they had such a pulpy anthology flick in them. It’s also fun to see them take a big swing like this, even if the overall execution is a little too uneven (as anthology films often are) and surface-level (in terms of commentary and nostalgia) to leave a lasting impression. Still, there’s enough creativity in this blood-soaked love letter to Oakland that the impression isn’t…too short.
