I love anthology movies, especially those with an overarching story, because they blend the excitement of varied storytelling with the satisfaction of a cohesive narrative. Films like Sin City (2005) captivated audiences by weaving multiple perspectives into a larger, interconnected world, making each segment feel like a crucial piece of a grand puzzle. The interplay between different characters and events kept the pacing dynamic while rewarding attentive viewers with clever connections and callbacks.
Freaky Tales, the latest film from writer-directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck (Captain Marvel), is an action-comedy anthology set for a U.S. release on April 4th. The film unfolds through four interconnected stories, each taking place on the same day in 1987. The first follows a group of friends whose nightclub is attacked by Neo-Nazi thugs.
The second centers on aspiring female rappers Entice (Normani) and Barbie (Dominique Thorne), who perform as Danger Zone. Before facing off in a rap battle against Too Short, they encounter harassment from a corrupt cop (Ben Mendelsohn). In the third chapter, Clint (Pedro Pascal) steps into a video rental store, leaving his pregnant girlfriend in the car. After using a secret code with the clerk (Tom Hanks), he heads to the back room for what he hopes will be his last shakedown, only to be dragged deeper into the criminal underworld.
The final chapter follows NBA star Sleepy Floyd (Jay Ellis), whose life spirals after a botched burglary. Determined to take revenge, he taps into his knowledge of the mystical arts to track down those responsible.
Freaky Tales excels as an anthology film, where each chapter brings something distinct to the table. The first chapter introduces Tina (Ji-young Yoo) and Lucid (Jack Champion), a mixed-race couple fighting back against a group of Neo-Nazis. Their defiance sets the stage for a cathartic, action-packed opener. Chapter 2, however, shifts gears with a focus on rap culture. The musical battle scenes feel disconnected from the intense action of the previous segment, making the tonal shift jarring.
Chapter 3 brings the film back on track, with Pedro Pascal’s Clint, a man torn between his past as a criminal and his hopes for a better future. His emotional depth, coupled with Tom Hanks’ charming-yet-tense role, makes this segment one of the film’s most compelling. The final chapter delivers what high-octane action fans crave, with Jay Ellis embodying a vengeful character who lets his brutal combat skills and supernatural elements take center stage. The segment’s gripping choreography and intense violence provide a thrilling, cathartic conclusion, ensuring Freaky Tales ends on an unforgettable note.
Pedro Pascal is unquestionably the standout, delivering a powerhouse performance that showcases his full range as an actor. His character, Clint, is a man caught between two worlds: on one hand, he’s a devoted boyfriend and soon-to-be father, longing for a clean break from his past; on the other, he’s a hardened criminal enforcer, forced into one last job that spirals into something far worse. Pascal masterfully balances these contrasts, making Clint a deeply compelling and tragic figure.
Adding to the intensity is Tom Hanks, who brings his signature charm and subtle humor to the role of Hank, the video store clerk, helping to lighten the scene while still maintaining the underlying tension. As the segment unfolds, the creeping dread sets in, pulling Clint back into the darkness he fought to escape. It’s a showcase of Pascal’s A-tier talent, effortlessly transitioning from warmth to brutality to utter despair, making this chapter the film’s most emotionally resonant and gripping of segments.
The film suffers from one glaring issue — its inconsistent attempt to pay homage to ’80s grindhouse films. While elements like muted colors, VHS-style tracking lines and recurring “cigarette burns” meant to mimic old film reel transitions are sprinkled throughout, they appear too sporadically, mostly at the beginning and end of each chapter. The rest of the movie looks like any modern production, making these retro touches feel more like an afterthought than a fully realized aesthetic. Instead of enhancing the experience, the uneven execution makes the film feel sloppy and unpolished.
The effort is commendable, but the inconsistency ultimately undermines the homage.
If I had to compare Freaky Tales to another film, it would be Sin City, as both embrace anthology formats that weave together multiple storylines within a gritty, stylized world. Like Sin City, Freaky Tales mixes violence, tension and darker themes, but while Sin City maintains a consistent neo-noir aesthetic, Freaky Tales stumbles with its uneven homage. The film shifts tones from the high-energy clash against Neo-Nazis in Chapter 1 to the disjointed rap culture in Chapter 2, trying to echo Sin City‘s ability to jump between diverse narratives.
Both films shine in their action-packed segments, with Freaky Tales culminating in a supernatural finale that channels the gritty violence and dark humor of Sin City, but Freaky Tales lacks the cohesive visual identity and seamless blending of styles that Sin City achieves so masterfully.
Freaky Tales is a solid four out of five stars film. While it does struggle with maintaining a consistent look and tone throughout, the film still delivers on its promise of action, violence and comedy. The shifting dynamics between the chapters may feel jarring, but they don’t detract from the film’s ability to entertain. Pedro Pascal truly steals the show with his performance, taking what could have been a simple, one-note character and transforming him into a deeply complex, yet relatable figure. Clint’s portrayal is nothing short of captivating, adding layers of emotional depth to the narrative.
While Freaky Tales may not achieve the seamless visual identity of films like Sin City, it still delivers a thrilling ride with an electrifying finale that showcases its strength in action and suspense. Ultimately, it’s a film that knows what it’s here to do — entertain — and does so with a lot of flair, making it a must-watch for fans of high-energy, genre-bending cinema.