Freaky (2020 – Theatrical Release) – Preview
A horror comedy from the people who brought you the surprise hit “Happy Death Day!” Leading you to wonder, can they remake the magic without the same cast and story?
Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
Additionally, some images and text may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission or receive products if you make a purchase.
A horror comedy from the people who brought you the surprise hit “Happy Death Day!” Leading you to wonder, can they remake the magic without the same cast and story?
| Director(s) | Christopher Landon | |
| Writer(s) | Christopher Landon, Michael Kennedy | |
| Release Date (Theatrical) | 11/13/2020 | |
| Noted Cast Members | ||
| Millie | Kathryn Newton | |
| The Butcher | Vince Vaughn | |
| Nyla | Celeste O’Connor | |
| Joshua | Misha Osherovich | |
| Booker | Uriah Shelton | |
Official Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Millie Kessler (Kathryn Newton, Blockers, HBO’s Big Little Lies) is just trying to survive the bloodthirsty halls of Blissfield High and the cruelty of the popular crowd. But when she becomes the newest target of The Butcher (Vince Vaughn), her town’s infamous serial killer, her senior year becomes the least of her worries.
When The Butcher’s mystical ancient dagger causes him and Millie to wake up in each other’s bodies, Millie learns that she has just 24 hours to get her body back before the switch becomes permanent and she’s trapped in the form of a middle-aged maniac forever. The only problem is she now looks like a towering psychopath who’s the target of a city-wide manhunt while The Butcher looks like her and has brought his appetite for carnage to Homecoming.
With some help from her friends—ultra-woke Nyla (Celeste O’Connor, Ghostbusters: Afterlife), ultra-fabulous Joshua (Misha Osherovich, The Goldfinch) and her crush Booker (Uriah Shelton, Enter the Warriors Gate)—Millie races against the clock to reverse the curse while The Butcher discovers that having a female teen body is the perfect cover for a little Homecoming killing spree.
Cast Guide
Note: Descriptions are partly based on presumptions from images and/or other press materials.
Millie (Kathryn Newton)
Unremarkable Millie, who only gets some sort of attention as the Blissfield High mascot, is just hoping for her crush to notice her. However, even with two best friends, Nyla and Joshua, she finds herself alone and the prime target for someone like “The Butcher.”
The Butcher (Vince Vaughn)
With killing four teens already, Millie was supposed to be the fifth of this serial killer. However, with his attempt to murder her seemingly at the wrong place at the right time, it forces them to switch bodies. Which, for Millie, is mostly hell. However, for The Butcher, it changes him from a tall and imposing figure to a femme fatale who could far more easily kill teenagers.
As for what reason he has decided to hunt Blissfield teens? Only the film can reveal that.
Nyla (Celeste O’Connor)
Any character described as “woke” you already know is going to be somewhere between annoying as all hell yet also often accurate. But not much else is known about Nyla.
Joshua (Misha Osherovich)
It isn’t clear how many kids are out at Blissfield High, but do any of them match the freedom and style of Joshua? No.
Booker (Uriah Shelton)
A jock who, behind her mascot mask, Millie often stares at longingly. Yet, it isn’t until The Butcher takes over Millie, and makes her more than this meek girl, that he ever really notices her.
First Impression
They had me at “Happy Death Day,” honestly. For that movie, similar to “The Babysitter,” was unexpectedly good, and after the “Child’s Play” franchise and various spoof comedies put a damper on the Horror Comedy genre, “Happy Death Day” led a resurgence. With that said, I must admit there is a bit of discomfort when it comes to Nyla and Joshua’s description and how they are portrayed in the trailer. Granted, looks and a one-line description could be deceiving. However, taking note one half of the writing crew worked on “Bordertown,” “Family Guy,” and “American Dad!” there is the need to wonder if they will be funny and offensive, or just offensive?
Mind you, Kennedy only wrote on “Bordertown” for the other projects he was support staff, but considering they will be responsible for the comedy aspect, there could be a rightful desire to worry. Plus, considering how so many films are being moved to 2021 because of the number of theaters closed, so comes the need to question if this film is being treated as a wash or if it is assumed, with a increasingly sparse calender, this could be given legs purely due to lack of competition? Especially if Disney abandons Thanksgiving and the final Bond film also leaves November.
That aside, it feels like it has been forever since Vince Vaughn has been attached to something that had a theatrical release, doesn’t it? He was in “Fighting With My Family,” which was good, but as for comedies? What launched his career? It seems he hasn’t really starred in anything that got released in theaters forever. So here is to him reminding people of why he was a notable leading man for a few years.
