Freaked has been hard to see for many years. It got a DVD release 20 years ago, but since streaming took over it hadn’t managed to migrate to digital, until now. Drafthouse Films released Freaked for rent or purchase this week and I highly recommend it.
Alex Winter co-wrote with co-director Tom Stern and co-writer Tim Burns an absurd freak show comedy. The practical makeup effects for the characters are stunning, and also result in some of the film’s best jokes when revealed.
Perhaps it was too weird for the ‘90s Bill and Ted audience, with an annoying child surviving a fall from an airplane. Audiences are more open to that sort of comedic absurdity now.
Winter played spoiled celebrity Ricky Coogan who accepts a job endorsing a toxic chemical. Remember chemical waste was the big threat of the ‘80s and ‘90s though it hasn’t really gone away. Coogan ends up transformed into a creature for Elijah C. Skuggs’ freak show and meets an ensemble of celebrities and future celebrities with mutations.
The 4K screener I saw was striking. I got to see the film in a theater at the New Beverly but the 4K brings out more detail in the practical design.
A physical 4K UHD is coming on Nov. 5 and I’m looking forward to delving into more extras, which will include a longer work print cut. But until then, please watch Freaked on digital so I finally have someone to talk about it with!