Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Wild, super-violent quartet of 1980s Oakland crime stories.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Freaky Tales
What's the Story?
In FREAKY TALES, it's 1987 in Oakland, California. A narrator (Too Short) tells viewers four wild stories. In the first, a group of punk rockers—including Tina (Ji-young Yoo) and Lucid (Jack Champion)—decides to defend 924 Gilman (a nonprofit art and music community space) from an attack by skinhead Nazis. In the second story, hopeful rappers Entice (Normani) and Barbie (Dominique Thorne) are given a chance to battle on stage with local legend Too Short (DeMario Symba Driver). In the third, a tough guy named Clint (Pedro Pascal) tries to get out of the crime game after a personal tragedy. And in the fourth tale, it's May 10, and the Golden State Warriors are playing the L.A. Lakers in a playoff game. "Sleepy" Floyd (Jay Ellis) saves the day with a record 29 points in the fourth quarter, but, during the game, thieves break into his house. When the unexpected happens, Sleepy goes on a rampage of revenge.
Is It Any Good?
While it may have the most appeal for viewers who can really tune into the time and place of its setting (others may feel left out), this crime comedy feels like a cult classic in the making. Freaky Tales is filled with punk rock, hip-hop, martial arts, bloody violence, animation, VHS tapes, and basketball. It has a killer soundtrack (actors portray the punk/ska band Operation Ivy, which was a staple at 924 Gilman), clever cinematography with changing aspect ratios, and effects that mimic an untracked VHS tape or an old film reel. The villains are Nazis and White supremacists (still very timely), with a wonderfully despicable Ben Mendelsohn as the bigoted leader of a crime ring. There's a fun cameo by East Bay native Tom Hanks, as well as appearances by the real Too Short and Sleepy Floyd (the movie's title comes from a 1989 Too Short song).
Freaky Tales' stories are simple and not very deep—they're like wild tales someone might tell at a party—but they overlap in fascinating ways. The characters are all underdogs and/or victims of circumstance, and they're all lovable. (Pascal and Ellis are especially good.) It's as if writing and directing partners Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck wanted to unwind and have a good time after their multimillion dollar foray into MCU territory with Captain Marvel. All in all, Freaky Tales may not quite stack up equally next to Pulp Fiction, but it has the same kind of joy and enthusiasm, making it an irresistibly enjoyable experience.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Freaky Tales' violence. How did it make you feel? Was it exciting? Shocking? What did the movie show or not show to achieve this effect? Why is that important?
How are drug use, smoking, and drinking portrayed? Are they glamorized? Are there consequences? Why does that matter?
The movie claims to be about "underdogs." What are underdogs, and how well do the characters fit that definition?
What's so appealing about nostalgia? Do you think this movie will have the same appeal for people who know the time and place in which it's set as it will for those who don't?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 4, 2025
- On DVD or streaming : April 25, 2025
- Cast : Pedro Pascal , Ben Mendelsohn , Jay Ellis
- Directors : Anna Boden , Ryan Fleck
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Writer(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Action/Adventure
- Run time : 107 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : strong bloody violence, language throughout including slurs, sexual content and drug use
- Last updated : April 25, 2025
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