Freakshow

Unofficial remake of 1932’s “Freaks” with too much wannabe edge

In late 1931, four dirtbag thugs and their female associate join a carnival of freaks in SoCal with the intention of making a huge score. They should be concerned about going over the line because the freaks are outcasts who might not have any qualms about apprehending their own justice.

“Freakshow” (2007) cost $1 million to make and was shot on the same sets used for the HBO series Carnivàle with the vintage carnival accouterments (rides, tents, wardrobe, etc.) provided by the LA Circus. As with the classic “Freaks” from 75 years earlier, actual sideshow performers and disabled actors were used in the production. However, you won’t see any extras in the background, like audience members, due to the movie's small budget. This results in a sort of hollow, behind-the-scenes ambiance.

Nevertheless, it successfully puts you into the world of the depression-era circus like “Water for Elephants,” which came out four years later. Another unforgettable example is DC Comics’ The Shadow #2 from 1973, drawn by the great Mike Kaluta. Yet those pieces had sympathetic characters, not to mention “Water for Elephants” had a blockbuster budget, whereas “Freakshow” is a low-budget flick that wallows in ugliness and depravity. The climax even throws in a long torture sequence obviously inspired by the torture porn craze at the time born from flicks like “Saw” and “Hostel.”

Petite Amanda Ward stands out on the feminine front as Margaret, the Cannibal Girl, while Rebekah Kochan as Lucy is worth a mention, but her character is so repugnant she’s a turn-off. There’s a little bit of nudity and quite a bit of sleaze, so stay away if that offends you.

So, “Freakshow” is too disagreeable to recommend even though I appreciated the milieu and the authentic look amidst the low-rent artistry.

It runs 1 hour, 27 minutes, and was shot east of Los Angeles in Pedley, which is 7 miles before Riverside.

GRADE: C+