Watch Freaks

Freaks, a 2018 science fiction thriller directed and written by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, is a gripping tale of a young girl with special abilities and her fight for survival in a world that fears and despises her kind. The film follows Chloe (Lexy Kolker), a seven-year-old girl who has been kept inside her home for her entire life by her paranoid and overprotective father, Henry (Emile Hirsch). He tells her that the outside world is unsafe and that there are people who want to harm them because of their abilities. However, as Chloe matures, she becomes increasingly restless and yearns to see the world outside. When she eventually leaves her home, she discovers the horrors that her father was protecting her from.

As the story unfolds, we learn that there was a global event that caused a significant portion of the population to possess supernatural abilities. This led to chaos and violence, followed by the government's decision to pass the Abnormalities Containment Act (ACA), a law that effectively locks up all those who display any abnormal traits.

The fear and hostility towards the "freaks" are rampant, and those who do not conform are hunted down and apprehended by the government. Chloe is one of them, and it is her journey towards understanding her powers and learning how to control them that drive the movie forward.

As Chloe navigates her way through a hostile world, she meets Mr. Snowcone (Bruce Dern), a mysterious ice cream vendor who seems to know more than he lets on. He takes her under his wing, and together, they embark on a perilous journey to find the truth about her powers, unravel the mystery of her past and evade the agents of the government, led by Agent Ray (Amanda Crew).

The movie's plot is gripping and succeeds in delivering a compelling narrative. It tugs at the viewer's heartstrings, as we watch Chloe, an innocent and vulnerable child, face the horrors of a world that seems to be lost in a never-ending cycle of fear and prejudice. There are several poignant moments in the movie that will leave a lasting impression on the viewer. For example, the scene where Chloe is first confronted by Agent Ray and realizes the enormity of the situation she is in, or later in the movie, when she finally discovers the truth about her past.

The movie's strength lies in its characters. Lexy Kolker delivers a phenomenal performance as Chloe, bringing out the character's vulnerability, innocence, and fierce protectiveness. Emile Hirsch's performance as her over-protective father is equally commendable, and together, they manage to create a heartwarming yet harrowing account of a father-daughter relationship in the face of adversity.

Bruce Dern's portrayal of Mr. Snowcone is mesmerizing, and it is fascinating to watch his character evolve throughout the movie. He has an almost ethereal presence, and his enigmatic character becomes the physical manifestation of Chloe's subconscious.

The movie is also complemented by an excellent soundtrack, featuring original music by composer Tim Wynn, which augments the film's tense and suspenseful atmosphere.

In conclusion, Freaks is an intense and engaging sci-fi thriller that addresses pressing and current social and political issues such as discrimination, xenophobia, and authoritarianism. The movie's ability to deliver emotional gut punches while providing compelling storytelling makes it a must-watch.

Freaks is a 2019 science fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 44 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7 and a MetaScore of 63.