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Review: ‘Freaks’ Is A Brilliant Slow-Burn Sci-Fi Thriller

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Perhaps the most difficult part of presenting a genre story, be it science fiction, fantasy, or horror is presenting that world to the viewer. A world that can be similar to our own or different in ways we couldn’t have imagined, it all hinges on the audience accepting it. Many stories are up-front, telling the viewer through exposition or narration to give them all the details on the universe they are about to enter. Freaks is of a smaller percentage, one that deserves more respect, for dropping us in and letting us piece together the clues of this mysterious, dangerous new world.

Via IMDB

Freaks follows a young girl named Chloe (Lexy Kolker) who has spent her entire life living with her paranoid and sleep deprived Dad (Emile Hirsch) inside their derelict home. He homeschools her, teaching her basic curriculum, but also survival techniques, instilling an intense fear of the world and of strangers, and how to act ‘normal.’ But Chloe longs to see the outside, tempted by a jaunty ice cream truck that pulls up directly in front of her home as though to taunt her. The truck run by the eccentric Mr. Snowcone (Bruce Dern) who catches eye and seems to know more than an average ice cream man. As Chloe’s hunger for freedom and ice cream grows, she’ll become entangled in the web of danger and intrigue that led to her isolated existence, the eerie phenomena around her, and the fate of her mother…

Freaks was directed and written by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, who have done work with Disney properties such as MECH-X4 and the upcoming live-action Kim Possible movie. Which makes perfect sense for a story such as this, doing excellent work with the young lead actress, Lexy Kolker. Though the film is low-budgeted, with a small cast and locations, it works incredibly well for the way they unfold the story accentuated with some rather nice looking SF and CGI. Starting in Chloe’s room and the quarantined existence she lives in before expanding outside the home and showing rather than telling the bizarre state of the world. The mystery of Chloe, her father, and the threat against them is enthralling for its slow speed and obscurity, which is why I want to avoid as many details as possible and recommend going to see the story as blind as you can.

Via Youtube

The cast really shines in such a small scope but major spotlight. Bruce Dern as the ambiguously sinister ‘Mr. Snowcone’ gets our attention with every appearance. Acting jovial to Chloe, but hinting at whatever wicked objectives he has in mind. Emile Hirsch shines as Chloe’s father, frightening in his sheer devotion to protecting his daughter from whatever danger he sees from the outside world and whether it’s founded in reality or some sort of mad delusion. And of course, Lexy Kolker does a phenomenal job as Chloe. A child in a hazardous situation, but still with childish attitudes toward it and wants like dessert and the love of a mother figure.

Once you see the movie, the influences on the story will be quite clear. Which makes the subversions and twists to the genre all the more interesting. There are a couple of pacing issues once things become clear, but the film must be commended for pulling off such an intricate slow-burn reveal.

If you’re in the mood for a mystery combined with a family drama of amazing proportions, see Freaks and prepare for some shocks.

And check out iHorror’s own Kelly McNeely interview with Freaks directors/writers, Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein!

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Trailer for ‘The Exorcism’ Has Russell Crowe Possessed

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The latest exorcism movie is about to drop this summer. It’s aptly titled The Exorcism and it stars Academy Award winner turned B-movie savant Russell Crowe. The trailer dropped today and by the looks of it, we are getting a possession movie that takes place on a movie set.

Just like this year’s recent demon-in-media-space film Late Night With the Devil, The Exorcism happens during a production. Although the former takes place on a live network talk show, the latter is on an active sound stage. Hopefully, it won’t be entirely serious and we’ll get some meta chuckles out of it.

The film will open in theaters on June 7, but since Shudder also acquired it, it probably won’t be long after that until it finds a home on the streaming service.

Crowe plays, “Anthony Miller, a troubled actor who begins to unravel while shooting a supernatural horror film. His estranged daughter, Lee (Ryan Simpkins), wonders if he’s slipping back into his past addictions or if there’s something more sinister at play. The film also stars Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg and David Hyde Pierce.”

Crowe did see some success in last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist mostly because his character was so over-the-top and infused with such comical hubris it bordered on parody. We will see if that is the route actor-turned-director Joshua John Miller takes with The Exorcism.

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Win a Stay at The Lizzie Borden House From Spirit Halloween

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lizzie borden house

Spirit Halloween has declared that this week marks the start of spooky season and to celebrate they are offering fans a chance to stay at the Lizzie Borden House with so many perks Lizzie herself would approve.

The Lizzie Borden House in Fall River, MA is claimed to be one of the most haunted houses in America. Of course one lucky winner and up to 12 of their friends will find out if the rumors are true if they win the grand prize: A private stay in the notorious house.

“We are delighted to work with Spirit Halloween to roll out the red carpet and offer the public a chance to win a one-of-a-kind experience at the infamous Lizzie Borden House, which also includes additional haunted experiences and merchandise,” said Lance Zaal, President & Founder of US Ghost Adventures.

Fans can enter to win by following Spirit Halloween‘s Instagram and leaving a comment on the contest post from now through April 28.

Inside the Lizzie Borden House

The prize also includes:

An exclusive guided house tour, including insider insight around the murder, the trial, and commonly reported hauntings

A late-night ghost tour, complete with professional ghost-hunting gear

A private breakfast in the Borden family dining room

A ghost hunting starter kit with two pieces of Ghost Daddy Ghost Hunting Gear and a lesson for two at US Ghost Adventures Ghost Hunting Course

The ultimate Lizzie Borden gift package, featuring an official hatchet, the Lizzie Borden board game, Lily the Haunted Doll, and America’s Most Haunted Volume II

Winner’s choice of a Ghost Tour experience in Salem or a True Crime experience in Boston for two

“Our Halfway to Halloween celebration provides fans an exhilarating taste of what’s to come this fall and empowers them to start planning for their favorite season as early as they please,” said Steven Silverstein, CEO of Spirit Halloween. “We have cultivated an incredible following of enthusiasts who embody the Halloween lifestyle, and we’re thrilled to bring the fun back to life.”

Spirit Halloween is also preparing for their retail haunted houses. On Thursday, August 1 their flagship store in Egg Harbor Township, NJ. will officially open to start off the season. That event usually draws in hordes of people eager to see what new merch, animatronics, and exclusive IP goods will be trending this year.

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’28 Years Later’ Trilogy Taking Shape With Serious Star Power

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28 years later

Danny Boyle is revisiting his 28 Days Later universe with three new films. He will direct the first, 28 Years Later, with two more to follow. Deadline is reporting that sources say Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Ralph Fiennes have been cast for the first entry, a sequel to the original. Details are being kept under wraps so we don’t know how or if the first original sequel 28 Weeks Later fits into the project.

Jodie Comer, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Ralph Fiennes

Boyle will direct the first movie but it’s unclear which role he will take on in the subsequent films. What is known is Candyman (2021) director Nia DaCosta is scheduled to direct the second film in this trilogy and that the third will be filmed immediately afterward. Whether DaCosta will direct both is still unclear.

Alex Garland is writing the scripts. Garland is having a successful time at the box office right now. He wrote and directed the current action/thriller Civil War which was just knocked out of the theatrical top spot by Radio Silence’s Abigail.

There is no word yet on when, or where, 28 Years Later will start production.

28 Days Later

The original film followed Jim (Cillian Murphy) who wakes from a coma to find that London is currently dealing with a zombie outbreak.

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