Freaky Tales (2025 | USA | 107 minutes | Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck)
The record-breaking game of Sleepy Floyd of the Golden State Warriors against the Los Angeles Lakers on May 10, 1987, serves as the real-life backdrop for Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck’s (Half Nelson and Captain Marvel) 80s-inspired action comedy, Freaky Tales. The film tells the story of a mysterious green power that swept through Oakland in the ‘80s, weaving together four interconnecting storylines—or at least attempting to.
Much like Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which is a love letter to 1960s LA, Freaky Tales offers a nostalgic look back at the Oakland of Ryan Fleck’s youth. However, unlike Tarantino’s film, this one lacks universal nostalgia. Hollywood in the 1960s was filled with universally recognized landmarks and events, whereas Oakland’s quirks are best known by those who are deeply familiar with the time and place.
Nonetheless, the nostalgic 80s VHS vibes are strong, especially within the film’s first chapter, which presents a grainy 4:3 picture of punk rockers (led by Ji-young Yoo and Jack Champion) defending their turf from a gang of neo-nazis. While the acting in this storyline is somewhat flat, the visual style is the strongest in the entire film, culminating in one of the most unique fight scenes I have ever witnessed on screen.
Unfortunately, the second chapter feels the least necessary to the overall storyline. This is disappointing because it features two of the strongest characters: best friends and aspiring rap duo Barbie (Dominique Thorne) and Entice (Normani), who take part in a rap battle against a young Too $hort (Symba). This section is almost a complete 180 from the previous chapter, featuring bright neons and shifting into a 16:9 aspect ratio.
In the third piece of the anthology, we finally encounter the emotional depth that has been missing from the film’s first half, primarily due to a captivating performance by Pedro Pascal. Clint (Pascal) is a debt collector for “the man,” embarking on a classic final job with plans to leave that life before his very pregnant wife (Natalia Dominguez) gives birth. This section is filled with all the grittiness you’d expect from a sleazy underground debt collector, along with the humor that was lacking in the beginning of the film. Two of the best moments occur in this section: the first features an unexpected cameo by an all-too-helpful video store clerk, and the next occurs when Clint is interrupted by a young boy selling mixtapes featuring Bay Area artists.
The film culminates in a robbery involving several Warriors players during the iconic record-breaking game, most notably against Sleepy Floyd (Jay Ellis). However, when the plans go awry, Sleepy takes revenge in an explosive and bloody final battle.
The last two storylines connect cleverly and feel the most fleshed out, leading to a somewhat satisfying feeling by the time the credits roll. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that the first two chapters were unfinished and almost unnecessary to the overall story. Each section is highly stylized in a classic 80s genre, something that will make you either love it or hate it. While it feels disjointed at times and doesn’t always make complete sense, it remains a fun, occasionally bloody adventure through a magical 1987 Oakland.
Freaky Tales arrives in theaters on April 4