Freaky - Movie Review

Critic Score - 6 of 10

General Audience Score - 7 of 10

Following in the body swapping footsteps of many films, the premise of a serial killer and teenage schoolgirl seems like a vaguely entertaining premise for a film. Somewhere some films executives were like, "Sure, why not?" and now we get Freaky. Worth your time?

PROS - Freaky's concept is straight from the Hollywood cookie cutter mold of trying out a formerly original idea with a new twist we haven't really seen before. Think of Palm Springs using Groundhog Day as a springboard, you get it. Sometimes these new spins on old concepts work better than others. Freaky follows Millie, played by Kathryn Newton, as she swaps bodies with the serial killer played by Vince Vaughn. Both these characters are having fun with the roles while they go about trying to make us believe the most harmless looking high school girl is a murderer and the massive Vaughn is a dainty little boy hungry teen. Since nobody, including the movie, is really taking itself too seriously, it's easy to sit and enjoy some of the goofiness or over the top gory violence.

As the Millie turned killer goes about her murder spree,

I’m sure nobody saw it coming, the humor and jokes that automatically come with the territory are all fine and provide some decent laughs. The outrageous nature of the body swapping allows for some cheap gags. I must say I was surprised the film didn't devolve too far into the routine sex jokes that come with a male/female body switch akin to The Hot Chick. Those in the market for bloody kills will maybe not get their fill, but some level of satisfaction with the gruesome ingenuity in the way the victims meet their ends. But overall this film is working with the basics, yet it can be quite entertaining, especially if you’re looking for a movie that doesn’t try to contemplate any deep subject matter.

CONS - This film is not only not taking itself seriously, it’s a tough sell to get anybody else on board with any level of seriousness. It’s almost impossible to imagine the likable Vaughn hacking anybody up and almost as difficult to imagine Millie overpowering anyone to commit murder. While believability isn’t a prerequisite for enjoying Freaky, sometimes instead of laughing you’re just rolling your eyes.

While this film is listed as a horror/comedy, it never really succeeds at either. At no point did I find it either scary or hilarious, at it best it feels slightly spooky and humorously amusing. It never does anything it’s going for or trying to do very well.

SUMMARY - This film can show you a good time, provide you with a few laughs and a few squirm in your seat scenes for those not accustomed to the horror genre. All in all not a terrible way to kill an hour and a half, no pun intended. Just lower all expectations, enjoy the ride and have some fun with Freaky.