Freaky Tales Movie Review: A Bay Area Fantasy

Freaky Tales takes you on a journey through time and place and has room for absolutely everyone to get on board the train.

Now don’t get me wrong; no matter where you are from, there is fun to be had, but for a person like me, born and bred in the Bay Area, this will hold a special place in my heart for a long time. Ryan Fleck was born in Berkeley and spent a lot of time there and in Oakland, California and boy, can you tell. There is a genuineness that is difficult to recreate for an outsider, and Freaky Tales reeks of that particular time and location. 

Now, just because it is genuine does not make it grounded. Freaky Tales is an anthology film focused on Oakland and a mysterious green glow that affects individuals into moments that cannot be explained by normal factors. This setup allows the movie to make bold choices and stay connected to important moments in Oakland history, like Sleepy Floyd’s legendary performance for the Golden State Warriors in the playoffs in 1987. The introductory narration, from producer of the film and Bay Area rap legend Too $hort, does a perfect job of destroying any expectations of realism, for there is very little to come.

Freaky Tales follows separate narratives that have mild intersections and manages to tell diverse stories that are both unexpected and, frankly, a blast to experience. Whether the film is following teen punks, corrupt police officers, female rappers, a professional basketball player, or an enforcer who collects debts, it never loses sight of its focus on fun and the late ‘80s Bay Area vibe. There is certainly a bit of variety when it comes to the quality of the actors on screen; Normani, in her first feature film role, struggles a bit, but the energy of the movie more than makes up for any hiccups. The decision to make this an anthology is really the only choice to make, given the vast diversity of experiences in a city like Oakland. To choose one storyline would be to sideline other walks of life, and these are all necessary to capture the essence of The Bay.

Fleck and Boden, who also directed the film, have a knack for changing the perspective at exactly the right moment. It is a relief to see them back working in smaller films after spending time in the comic book world, with Captain Marvel. Thankfully, their history with the MCU did allow them to continue working with Ben Mendelsohn, and every film is better for his presence. As The Guy, Mendelsohn takes advantage of every moment to relish in the role of villain, without ever feeling truly over the top. And he is certainly not alone; the film is peppered with wonderful, honest performances throughout.

The standout is, of course, Pedro Pascal. Pascal plays Clint, a man who collects on debts through violent means and who is about to leave that life behind. Clint, as expected, weaves in and out of all of the other stories in both minor and major ways. Pascal managed a perfect balance between the hardened criminal and his upcoming new life. He is both threatening (when he needs to be) and a man that we find a way to root for. His final job is hidden in a secret back room of a video rental store. The conversation between Clint and a video store clerk is really the height of the accomplishments of Freaky Tales, but I refuse to ruin the surprise cameo. Rest assured, fans of all kinds of cinema will be pleased and the two actors’ inherent charm almost makes us wish we could just hang out in the store with them.

Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck have crafted one of the most fun experiences I have had in this young year of films. Freaky Tales takes you on a journey through time and place and has room for absolutely everyone to get on board the train, whether through music, nostalgia, or star appeal. There is something for everyone here, as long as you can get on its wacky, fantastical wavelength.

Freaky Tales will be released in US and Canadian theatres on April 4, 2025.