I bought Freakshow a few weeks ago after scouring the internet for months trying to find it below £5. The only reason I was enticed to buy it was the ‘banned in 43 countries’ It became apparent at the end why it had been banned.
The film is a modern retelling of Ted Browning’s 1932 classic ‘Freaks’, about a group of criminals on the run. Forced by necessity to lay low for a while, they find jobs as security guards at a travelling circus – but, during their time there, they cannot resist the temptation to scam the circus. The group’s plan involves one of their crew, the wily Lucy (Rebekah Kochan), seducing the circus owner then arranging an ‘accident’ in order to secure the entire circus’ fortune. Unbeknownst to the gang, the circus folk discover the plan and seek vengeance in their own twisted way.
The duration of the film is good but slow, there is no action/blood/gore until the last twenty minutes. Before then, one could be forgiven for mistaking the film as a drama. It has a creepy feel to it and the music contributes well to the eerie factor, but it just doesn’t pass as a horror. Then all of a sudden people start being dismembered left and right and then there’s the final few minutes of torture footage which got the film banned.
Another aspect about this film that I found unique was the cast of actors. Apart from a few, the entire carnival cast are actual ‘freaks’ from a freakshow. Only a few real actors were used and the rest were authentic which added to the eerie feel. I’d advise anyone who hasn’t seen this film to give it a go. Persevere through the first 45 minutes to an hour and you’ll be rewarded with the gore strewn images at the end. It’s not a boring story, just not what one would expect from an ordinary horror.
Check it out and let me know what you think
