Frankie Freako (FANTASTIC) Helps a Geek Let Out His Wild Side

Title: Frankie Freako

First Non-Festival Release: October 4, 2024 (Limited Theatrical Release)

Director: Steven Kostanski

Writer: Steven Kostanski

Runtime: 85 Minutes

Starring: Conor Sweeney, Kristy Wadsworth, Matthew Kennedy

Where to Watch: Check out where to find it here

This film’s review was written after its screening at the Fantastic Film Festival in 2024.

Aren’t you tired of being nice? Don’t you ever want to go ape shit?

This desire churns through Conor (Conor Sweeney) who breezes through life as an uptight pencil pusher at a purposeless office job. Goaded by his desire to prove to his wife Kristina (Kristy Wordsworth) and others that he isn’t a square, he calls a phone hotline that promises to bring out his inner freak. Little does he know that he’s inadvertently invited three little monsters to wreak havoc in his home.

Frankie Freako is a goofy horror comedy that leans heavily into its 80s and 90s influences.

With a concept like this, it’s fair to assume that plenty of chaos will reign in the dorky businessman’s home, but Frankie Freako doesn’t let its freak loose enough to live up to that idea. Aside from some general destruction in his home and the occasional stray bullet, the little gremlins don’t do much to disrupt Conor’s life. Perhaps it’s because Frankie Freako takes place over the course of a weekend, but the plot feels stagnant, and the problems too easily resolved. In the end, it feels empty, much like the cans of Fart Cola that litter the floor of Conor’s home in between bouts of chaos courtesy of the freakos.

Ironically, Conor as a character isn’t interesting enough to get invested in his arc. A goodie goodie with all the edge of a circle, Conor glides through life with an innocent and idealistic view on everything, despite being a man squarely in his mid-thirties. Manipulated at work by his boss, confused by his wife’s sexual advances, and all-together lost at the idea of having fun, Conor doesn’t progress in his character beyond letting marginally loose throughout his adventures with the freakos. His intentionally hammy dialogue and overall awkward demeanor make for some amusing moments, but his rather static character development effectively kills any interest over the course of the film’s short runtime.

Despite the so-so writing elsewhere, the jokes do land more often than not. The sense of humor behind Frankie Freako is both whimsical and low brow. Filled with physical comedy, the bulk of what makes Frankie Freako work comes from the wholesome pain it inflicts on its few human characters, particularly Conor. Subject to attacks of gunfire, stabbing, and even sexual advances of a goblin dictator, Conor is put through the wringer, much to the audience’s delight. It’s all light-hearted, even when the danger gets more real. What doesn’t land, however, are the jokes that poke on the blandness of Conor’s character. His inability to fully grasp social cues and ticks that inadvertently cause more chaos are less endearing onscreen than they may appear on paper.

What is truly impressive about the indie feature is its propensity for design. The world of Frankie Freako is fully realized once the crew enters the world of the freakos. An imaginative dystopia take on another realm, Frankie Freako leans into the grungy sci-fi aesthetic of other films while firmly maintaining its own style. This world isn’t onscreen for long, but its impact is noticeable in the otherwise bland landscape of the generic suburban home it occupies.

Fans of goofy horror comedies will delight in the silliness of Frankie Freako. Holding a supreme command of its wacky script and niche sense of humor, Frankie Freako knows exactly who it’s intended audience is and pulls out all the stops to keep them laughing. Unfortunately, because of its unique blend of horror and humor, it is difficult to get into if it doesn’t hit for you. More juvenile in humor than his previous effort, PG: Psycho Goreman, writer/director Steven Kostanaki expands his universe of oddities with the semi-endearing gremlins of Frankie Freako. If you like your horror comedies to prioritize silliness above all else, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for here. If not, it might be best not to call up the Frankie Freako hotline.

Overall Score? 5/10