Freaks

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Freaks

Released Feb 20, 1932

1h 4m

Horror

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

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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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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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

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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

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

An astounding film.

Rated: 4/4

Oct 14, 2023

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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

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Tyler B

There's part of you that wishes you were a freak in this very attraction, as you work your mind and heart through this masterpiece. "One of us one of us Google gobble Google gobble".

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

12/15/24

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Dayne R

This is not a horror movie, it feels like a tragic drama and it can be quite disturbing if you're not used to grotesque scenes such as the ending scene (No spoilers) This was truly a special story by Tod Browning about "circus freaks" or as I would say disabled kind people. It's truly done in a humane way towards these unique individuals and shows their daily life. Schlitzie stole the show with his incredible personality and you can tell her really enjoyed filming. Hans and Frieda were also brilliant in their performances alongside Cleo and Hercules. This was raw talent at its finest. Prince Ramdian does an incredible thing as well with a cigarette. Every unique person in this film shined and even the people who had no disabilities. The ending was quite disturbing however, I personally didn't find it too disturbing because, I've seen way worse lol The Walking Dead Season 7 Episode 1 was more disturbing than this. I could see some people who would find this disturbing and might not be used to grostesque gory films or shows. It's a great film overall and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who is willing to see it.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/24

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Alec B

It is disappointing that we will never get to see the original uncut version but what is there is still beguiling and dramatically satisfying.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/10/24

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Christian K

A good an shockingly earnest look at a group of circus performers, for the era it doesn't feel exploitative at all. Awesome last 10 minutes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/03/24

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Steve D

Exploitive and gross.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/28/23

Full Review

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Tod Browning

Director

Wallace Ford

Phroso

Olga Baclanova

Cleopatra

Leila Hyams

Venus

Roscoe Ates

Roscoe

Harry Earles

Hans

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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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