Freaky Tales Parent Guide
Too violent for mainstream audiences, this film is at least unique.
Parent Movie Review
Oakland, California, is buzzing in 1987. One week in particular is electrifying – literally. Strange green lightning seems to glitter everywhere. And there’s more going on than what you can see sparking in the sky…
Punk rockers Tina (Ji-young Yoo) and Travis (Angus Cloud) are just trying to hang on as their favorite club keeps getting raided by skinhead Nazis. Barbie (Dominique Thorne) and Entice (Normani) are trying to make their rap group take off, and it looks like their best shot is getting into a live rap battle with some heavy-hitting local talent. Clint (Pedro Pascal) has been just one job away from quitting his life of crime for a few jobs now – but with a pregnant wife to look after, he’s serious about this one being the last. And then there’s NBA star Sleepy Floyd (Jay Ellis), wants to keep his Golden State Warriors alive against a dangerously skilled L.A. Lakers team. It’s going to be a busy evening – and one that The Guy (Ben Mendelsohn) would love to take advantage of. There’s a lot going in in Oakland tonight.
I’m not sure how to describe this film to you. There isn’t too much like it, and it pulls from a lot of sources - classic Blacksploitation flicks meet Scott Pilgrim vs. The World meets Pulp Fiction. I had kind of a great time. The movie keeps you guessing, giving you just one story at a time and letting you go on all these different trips before pulling the threads together. It almost feels like a little anthology series packed into an hour and a half.
The cast is phenomenal, the writing is fun, and the movie doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a little silly in places, pretty serious in others, and somehow manages to make everything feel cohesive and intentional. That said, it’s definitely not a film made for a mass audience. There’s more style than substance, and while I like the balance it strikes between the two, it’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea. The bigger issue for you, if you care enough to be reading this website, is going to be the frequent sexual references (and on screen sexual activity), heavy profanity, and gruesome violence. Oh, or the drug use. Your choice.
Freaky Tales may not be getting any Kids Choice Awards, but I enjoyed it, strangely enough. This movie is definitely a strange flavor, but it doesn’t outstay its welcome. Much like a pinata, the brightly-colored 80’s exterior is filled with all kinds of candy, and while you may not like every little piece, you’ll probably find something you enjoy – just look out for the blood. And meth. And Nazis.
Directed by Anna Boden, Ryan Fleck. Starring Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis. Running time: 106 minutes. Theatrical release April 4, 2025. Updated April 4, 2025
Freaky Tales
Rating & Content Info
Why is Freaky Tales rated R? Freaky Tales is rated R by the MPAA for strong bloody violence, language throughout including slurs, sexual content and drug use.
Violence: People are violently beaten and struck with a huge variety of objects during street brawls. A large number of people are stabbed. A character is blown up. A number of people, including a pregnant woman, are shot.
Sexual Content: Characters are seen engaging in oral sex. There is a full-length and quite sexually explicit rap battle. Some suggestive titles and cover art are seen of adult movies.
Profanity: There are 65 sexual expletives, 29 scatological curses, and a few dozen uses each of racial and homophobic slurs. There are also frequent mild curses and terms of deity.
Alcohol / Drug Use: Adult characters are seen drinking and smoking socially. Some characters are seen snorting (presumably) cocaine, and smoking (presumably) meth.
Page last updated April 4, 2025