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Freaks

Play trailer Poster for Freaks Released Feb 20, 1932 1h 4m Horror Play Trailer Watchlist
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95% Tomatometer 58 Reviews 88% Popcornmeter 10,000+ Ratings
When trapeze artist Cleopatra (Olga Baclanova) learns that circus midget Hans (Harry Earles) has an inheritance, she marries the lovesick, diminutive performer, all the while planning to steal his fortune and run off with her lover, strong man Hercules (Henry Victor). When Hans' friends and fellow performers discover what is going on, they band together and carry out a brutal revenge that leaves Hercules and Cleopatra knowing what it truly means to be a freak.
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Freaks

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Critics Consensus

Time has been kind to this horror legend: Freaks manages to frighten, shock, and even touch viewers in ways that contemporary viewers missed.

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Critics Reviews

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Joe Morgenstern Wall Street Journal [Boasts] some of the most terrifying scenes ever consigned to film. Sep 28, 2015 Full Review Mark Kermode Observer (UK) Browning's sympathies are clear; if there are "freaks" on display here, they are not the versatile performers to whom the title seems to allude. Rated: 4/5 Jun 14, 2015 Full Review Tom Huddleston Time Out One of the most powerful films ever made about the need for humanity and solidarity in the face of cruelty and oppression. Rated: 5/5 Jun 8, 2015 Full Review Michael Nordine Film Occasionally That such a daring, transgressive film was made by a major studio in the early ‘30s remains a marvel (thanks, Irving Thalberg); that it irreparably harmed the career of its director is disheartening if not surprising. Oct 24, 2023 Full Review Douglas Davidson Elements of Madness Each one, by nature of the period in which they were released and how audiences responded to them, have a legacy that must be explored, mulled over, and come to terms with if cinema is going to tell honest stories without exploitation. Oct 17, 2023 Full Review Matt Brunson Film Frenzy An astounding film. Rated: 4/4 Oct 14, 2023 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Tonatiuh C Tengo la impresión que Freaks es una referencia de culto para los directores de culto, la iconográfía no debería sorprenderme ya con ese status debería haber sido replicada muchas veces en películas, videos musicales e imágenes de todo tipo, el desarrollo de la película es hasta cierto punto aburrido ya que es un poco convencional (para nuestros tiempos), encuadres muy sencillos y el desarrollo de un drama más o menos convencional sólo que con fenómenos de circo hasta que llegan las escenas finales y se nota la diferencia de producción en los efectos de sonido, la posición de la cámara, los planos son más detallados, la escena más memorable para mi fué una que definitivamente fué homenajeada por… Toy Story, mi yo niño habría quedado impactado por la escena final. Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars 09/03/25 Full Review Zeferino P. It wasn’t what I would consider Horror It wasn’t bad It just wasn’t my cup of tea Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 08/13/25 Full Review Arid S I thought it was ok, plot was not the most entertaining, less about 'freaks' more about some annoying drama. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/16/25 Full Review Stephen C 1 hour and 4 minutes is too short!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 07/04/25 Full Review Diego M Freaks (1932), directed by Tod Browning, is a unique blend of drama and horror based on Tod Robbins's short story Spurs. The film stars Harry Earles as Hans, a man with dwarfism who inherits a fortune, and Olga Baclanova as Cleopatra, a trapeze artist who manipulates him for his wealth. Other notable cast members include Daisy Earles as Frieda, a fellow dwarf in love with Hans, and Henry Victor as Hercules, Cleopatra’s lover. The film features real-life sideshow performers, adding authenticity to its portrayal of a tightly-knit circus community. Set primarily in the circus, the story follows Cleopatra's cruel scheme to marry Hans, poison him, and claim his inheritance. Despite Frieda’s warnings, Hans falls victim to Cleopatra's charms, only to discover her true intentions. The freaks unite to exact vengeance on Cleopatra and Hercules, culminating in a chilling climax where Cleopatra is transformed into the grotesque “human duck” seen at the film's beginning. The cinematography is dynamic, employing tracking shots and close-ups that heighten tension and drama. The wedding scene, where Cleopatra mocks the freaks, stands out with its striking use of camera angles to convey both the humiliation of Hans and the ominous unity of the freaks. The film’s setting contrasts the grimy circus with Hans’s luxurious apartment, underscoring the disparity in the characters’ worlds. Freaks elicits deep sympathy for its titular characters, portraying them as kind and loyal while casting Cleopatra and Hercules as true villains. However, the freaks’ vengeful transformation challenges this sympathy, creating a sense of unease. Browning’s depiction raises questions about the consequences of oppression and the capacity for revenge. While Freaks could be viewed as a drama, its intent to evoke fear firmly places it in the horror genre. The psychological tension surrounding the freaks’ retaliation is its most unsettling aspect. Though less visceral by modern standards, Freaks remains a haunting and thought-provoking film, blending empathy and horror to powerful effect. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/03/25 Full Review Jonathan O Man this horror film is truly a masterpiece it's both soap opera and body horror and Tod Browning who terrified us with Universal Monsters and Tod really terrified us and shock us in freaks is really lovely at first and then bit by bit it turns to ultimate shock in horror and really great writing especially the iconic lines that sounds joyful but sounds horrifying and Browning is truly a magnificent queer horror filmmaker history. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 12/18/24 Full Review Read all reviews
Freaks

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Movie Info

Synopsis When trapeze artist Cleopatra (Olga Baclanova) learns that circus midget Hans (Harry Earles) has an inheritance, she marries the lovesick, diminutive performer, all the while planning to steal his fortune and run off with her lover, strong man Hercules (Henry Victor). When Hans' friends and fellow performers discover what is going on, they band together and carry out a brutal revenge that leaves Hercules and Cleopatra knowing what it truly means to be a freak.
Director
Tod Browning
Producer
Tod Browning, Dwain Esper, Hildegarde Stadie, Irving Thalberg
Screenwriter
Al Boasberg, Willis Goldbeck, Leon Gordon, Edgar Allan Woolf
Distributor
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Production Co
Metro Goldwyn Mayer
Genre
Horror
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Feb 20, 1932, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 18, 2010
Runtime
1h 4m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Mono
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Flat (1.37:1)
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