Freaky Tales (2024)
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2025-09 to 2026-08
Four interconnected stories unfold in 1987 Oakland, California, as various characters navigate local culture and unexpected conflicts.
The story
Set in 1987 Oakland, California, the film weaves together four interconnected stories occurring during significant historical moments. The narrative follows a diverse cast of characters, including punk rock fans facing off against skinheads, two women attempting to establish a rap career, a man trying to escape a life of crime, and a man with supernatural martial arts skills. The stories intersect as the characters navigate the local culture and the specific atmosphere of the late 1980s, culminating in a shared reality where their paths cross in the face of common adversaries and personal struggles.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film depicts four interconnected stories in 1987 Oakland, California. In 'Strength in Numbers: The Gilman Strikes Back,' punk fans Tina and Lucid defend their community against Nazi skinheads, with Tina's bracelet emitting a magical green light. In 'Don't Fight the Feeling,' rappers Barbie and Entice (Danger Zone) face harassment and eventually find their strength through a glowing microphone. 'Born to Mack' follows Clint, who tries to leave his criminal life after his wife is killed, only to find his employer, 'The Guy,' won't let him go. 'The Legend of Sleepy Floyd' follows Floyd, who uses supernatural martial arts to seek revenge against the Nazi gang leader Travis. The stories converge when it is revealed that the policeman who harassed Barbie and Entice is 'The Guy' who employs Clint. Ultimately, Floyd's mind powers explode the head of 'The Guy,' and the film ends with a collective warning to Nazis featuring characters from all four stories.
- First release year
- 2024
- Runtime (minutes)
- 107
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Anna Boden; Ryan Fleck
- Writers
- Anna Boden · writer; Ryan Fleck · writer
- Cast and characters
- Pedro Pascal; Ben Mendelsohn; Jay Ellis; Normani; Dominique Thorne; Jack Champion; Tom Hanks
- Genres
- action; comedy
- Themes
- community; resistance
- Tone and mood
- cartoonish; immersive
- Setting
- 1987 Oakland, California
- Premise and plot tags
- anthology; period piece
- Source material / true-story basis
- Fleck's memories of growing up in Oakland, California in the 1980s
- Reception
- The film received mixed or average reviews, with praise for its visuals, costumes, and performances, but criticism regarding its narrative cohesion.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 58 · scale: 100 · review count: 30
- Awards and nominations
- Variety and the Golden Globe's Breakthrough Artist Awards · honoree · 2024 · nomination
- Production trivia
- The film is a celebration of the city's culture.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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