Steven Kostanski is both a prolific special effects artist, and a talented writer and director. His 2016 Lovecraftian horror, The Void, was a massive hit with the genre crowd. Then in 2020 his film Psycho Goreman achieved instantaneous cult status. Both of these films enabled Kostanski to combine all his skill sets, a trend that continues for his new film, Frankie Freako.
As with Kostanski’s previous work, Frankie Freako is a throwback to the cinema of the 80s. Whereas The Void was an homage to The Thing, and Psycho Goreman captured the essence of He-Man, Frankie Freako channels a combination of 80s cartoons and The Ghoulies. The story sees all round square Conor (Conor Sweeney) attempt to break out of his rule-abiding box. Desperate to prove that he can cut loose, whilst his wife is away Conor calls a party line that promises him the time of his life. However, there’s a catch, the party revellers are interdimensional goblin-type creatures called Freakos. What begins as funtime, quickly turns into a nightmare – cue all manner of carnage.
As one would expect, Frankie Freako is an effect-heavy movie. Not only in the amount of gore – which is plentiful – but all the visiting Freakos are also brought to life via puppetry. Each Freako has its own distinctive appearance, and the amount of detail in each of them is incredible. As with Psycho Goreman, these creations feel real, which enables the audience to fully embrace the wackiness that ensures. The trio of Freako’s are but the tip of the iceberg of Kostanski and his team’s creations, and everything is beautiful to behold. Each Freako having their own distinct personality and brand opens up the potential for toy manufacturers; another harkening back to the days of the 80s and 90s when every film pumped out toys for kids, whether the source was family friendly or not.
Not since Jennifer Connelly in Labyrinth has an actor had so many puppet co-stars as Conor Sweeny does here. Even though the filming of Frankie Freako was likely a stressful time for Sweeney given that ultimately he was acting against nothing for much of the run time, this is hard to see in the final feature. The interactions between Conor and the Freakos is seamless. The dynamic of square and rocker is a timeless representation of the odd couple and here it works wonderfully. Add to this the frision of tension and malice between them and the fun factor is once more pushed higher.
Speaking about the inspiration for Frankie Freako, Kostanski explained to THN that Ghoulies Go to College was a key influence. This is evident to see throughout Frankie Freako as it’s a cheesy 80s throwback that is having the time of its life. Those that don’t mesh with the sillier side of horror are best leaving Frankie Freako alone, but other viewers will quickly become charmed by the cartoonish levels of insanity presented. Frankie Freako takes several leaps of logic, but this is not a film concerned about conforming to traditional narrative structures. As the film progresses, the weird factor is cranked up, and by the time the film reaches its finale, the tone rests somewhere between Bill and Ted, Gremlins, Flash Gordon, and Critters. It’s a potent blend that frazzles the mind, electrifying your neurons and stimulating them into a frenzy of merriment.
Frankie Freako
Summary
Frankie Freako continues the madness that began in Psycho Goreman, with Steven Kostanski creating another creature rich story that is wickedly entertaining.
Frankie Freako arrives in US cinemas from Friday 4th October. Frankie Freako will screen in the UK at Celluloid Screams.
