‘Freaky Tales: Collector’s Edition’ 4K UHD Review

Stars: Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, Pedro Pascal, Dominique Thorne, Normani, Jay Ellis, Ji-young Yoo | Written and Directed by Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck

Freaky Tales is an anthology film set in 1987 Oakland, California, weaving together four interconnected stories that blend fact and fiction with a nostalgic, stylistic flair. Featuring Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, and a brief but memorable cameo from Tom Hanks, the film is directed and co-written by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. It ambitiously explores multiple genres, ranging from punk rebellion to rap battles and revenge-fueled drama, all tied together through a distinct visual and narrative style that evokes the era.

The film opens with a story about a group of punk youths defending themselves against a violent skinhead intrusion, immediately establishing a gritty, rebellious tone. While this segment has energy and charm, its narrative is relatively straightforward, and some viewers may find it somewhat tangential to the later, more interconnected stories. However, the sequence succeeds in setting the film’s period atmosphere, capturing the neon-lit underground music scene and its anarchic spirit.

The second segment, focusing on Entice and Barbie, two young Black women preparing for a rap battle against Too $hort, is arguably the film’s strongest. Dominique Thorne and Normani deliver electrifying performances, effortlessly embodying the cultural vibrancy of 1980s Oakland. Their energy and charisma elevate this portion, turning it into a standout sequence, both stylistically and narratively. The film’s soundtrack, production design, and attention to period detail all coalesce to make this segment particularly memorable.

Pedro Pascal’s story as a morally ambiguous enforcer adds a darker, more suspenseful tone to the anthology. Pascal delivers a solid performance, though his increasingly ubiquitous presence in cinema means his role may feel familiar to audiences. Ben Mendelsohn, meanwhile, steals every scene he’s in as a corrupt, unsettling cop. His portrayal is compelling and darkly humorous, and his standout lines carry real weight, adding tension and stakes to the narrative.

The final segment centres on Jay Ellis as Sleepy Floyd, a basketball player embroiled in both personal and external conflicts, culminating in a climactic sequence that unites all four stories. This interconnected approach is ambitious, and Boden and Fleck handle it with surprising clarity, avoiding the pitfalls that often plague anthology films. While the narrative occasionally feels overstuffed, the payoff of seeing the characters and storylines converge is satisfying. The film balances stylised visual flair, well-choreographed action, and strong performances, creating an immersive experience.

While Freaky Tales doesn’t reinvent filmmaking or storytelling, it succeeds in delivering nostalgia, vibrant performances, and an engaging period atmosphere. Dominique Thorne and Normani are the undeniable highlights, while Mendelsohn adds a compelling edge. The film’s technical execution – from fight choreography to neon-soaked cinematography – is impressive, though it never fully breaks new ground.

Special Features:

• Audio Commentary with Writers-Directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, and Actors Pedro Pascal, Jay Ellis, Ji-young Yoo, and Dominique Thorne
• These Are the Tales, the Freaky Tales
• Design of a Decade
• Art + Soul: The Tune of the Tales
• Gag Reel
• US Theatrical Trailer

Ultimately, Freaky Tales is an enjoyable and stylish experience, best appreciated at home, where it’s likely to find an audience that will embrace it as a potential future cult classic.

*** 3/5

Freaky Tales is out now in a 4K collector’s edition from Lionsgate.