Freaky is a very fun genre hybrid.
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The Setup
Kathryn Newton plays Millie Kessler, an unpopular high school girl still recovering after the death of her mother and folding under the weight of her mother's protective tendencies. But all of that is about to seem like a small problem in comparison. Why? Because the infamous serial killer The Blissfield Butcher just stabbed her with an enchanted dagger that caused her and the killer to switch bodies. Now she's got to convince her friends of who she is and get her body back, before the Butcher sets up shop forever.
Freaky works for the same reason that Happy Death Day did. It's a horror comedy with a firm understanding of its genre with enough emotional investment to keep the story moving from point A to point B. Here's what really stands out.
Great Dual Performances from the Leads
Each of the leads in this film has to pull off two very different characters: a slasher villain and timid teenage girl. And they both do a great job. I think it's been lost in his comedy roles but Vince Vaughn has the physical makeup of a slasher villain. He's tall, broad-shouldered, and his resting face feels like Mike Myers. He's a genuinely intimidating presence, especially when you put him against teenagers and women. He also has the comedy chops to play Millie once the bodies have been swapped. And most importantly, Vaughn doesn't overplay it. There's a slight affect in his voice and he seems uncomfortable in his body, but he maintains Millie's shy demeanor both in speech and action. That underplay also allows some emotional and character moments to work and sells what an uphill battle it will be for Millie to get her body back.
On the other end, Kathryn Newton is amazing once she flips the switch from teen to killer. Her initial look and demeanor is shy outsider and once she shift the way she carries herself is fantastic. She's aided by some nice wardrobe choices and a straightened ponytail, that sell her action hero/slasher make over, and carries herself like she doesn't care about anything but her next kill. I'll admit I wish she spoke less, because her being near monotone or mute is a great running gag and nod to the genre, but Newton is still great.
Great Genre Blend
While I don't think Happy Death Day was holding anything back, the PG-13 rating prevented it from leaning into the genre hallmarks, namely cursing and violence. But with an R-rating Landon and company hit the ground running. The opening scene in particular is a great slasher scene with some uniquely gruesome kills and it never stops from there with Butcher Millie taking our her targets in vicious fashion. Which is difficult to do while maintaining a comedic tone. That's why the movie smartly lays out the eventual victims as various versions of high school bullies (both teachers and students). It means the audience can accept and laugh along with their brutal ends and then they can flip the switch into more tense territory when characters we care about are in danger.
On the comedy end the film makes the most of its premise by highlight the obvious advantages and pitfalls for each lead. As Millie, the Butcher has an increased access to their intended victims, teenagers, can lull people into a false sense of security, call for help to throw people off the scent, or seduce targets. But Millie's body is also smaller and weaker, so the Butcher has to plan out their kills and or use makeshift weapons less as a "fun thing" but more as a necessity.
As the Butcher, Millie is physically intimidating, quite strong, and can almost ignore most attacks in a fight. There's an entire sequence where Millie's friends attempt to slow Millie as the Butcher down and fail because everything bounces off her current body. But Millie also matches the description of the Butcher which makes building trust and evading authorities a constant problem. In both cases it's a great use of the concept and fun twist on the genre.
Decent Thematic Throughline
Before the body swap, Millie is ridiculously timid. She doesn't challenge anyone when she's mistreated or take control in her life whether it's her mom overstepping or a guy she's had a crush on for years. But being in the Butcher's body does two things. The first is that it forces her to be bold and take action. She knows she can't figure things out herself, and when its discovered that she has a small window to fix things, it means she needs to make big swings or take risks to make things right.
The second is that she feels how it would feel to be open/powerful. As much as being timid has been a defense mechanism, it's also made her current life less fulfilling. And being as direct and forthright and powerful in the Butcher's body seemingly changes her entire perspective. It's a solid enough emotional hook to carry the movie and give the final scenes weight.
Verdict: Very Fun
Another great take on a familiar premise, Freaky lets its leads and fun turns on genre shine. 8/10
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