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Freaky Tales

Freaky Tales is a 2024 American anthology action-comedy film written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Freaky Tales is a 2024 American anthology action-comedy film written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. Set in Oakland, California, in 1987, it weaves together four interconnected stories featuring punks, rappers, cops, neo-Nazis, and an NBA star. The film premiered at Sundance in January 2024 and was released in theatres in April 2025.

Premise

Freaky Tales follows four intertwined stories in Oakland in 1987. Its characters include punks, a female rap duo, police officers, neo-Nazis, a debt collector, and an NBA figure associated with the era.

Production

The film was written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, who developed it as a stylized tribute to Oakland's music, sports, and subcultural history. It was produced as a feature-length anthology with a period setting and genre-mixing elements.

Release

Freaky Tales premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2024. It later received a theatrical release in the United States on April 4, 2025.

Reception

Reviews described the film as an energetic, nostalgic tribute to 1980s Oakland and exploitation cinema. Coverage also noted its blend of action, comedy, drama, and genre pastiche.

Key facts

  • Freaky Tales is a 2024 American anthology action-comedy film written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck.
  • The film is set in Oakland, California, in 1987 and features four interconnected stories.
  • The cast includes Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, Normani, Dominique Thorne, and Jack Champion.
  • It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2024, and was released in theatres on April 4, 2025.
  • The title references Too $hort's song "Freaky Tales."
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Canadian context

The film was reviewed and covered by Canadian outlets and is relevant to Canadian readers as a U.S. theatrical release with broader North American cultural references to Oakland, hip-hop, and 1980s genre cinema.

Frequently asked questions

What is Freaky Tales?
It is a 2024 American anthology action-comedy film written and directed by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck.
What is Freaky Tales set in?
It is set in Oakland, California, in 1987.
Who stars in Freaky Tales?
The cast includes Pedro Pascal, Ben Mendelsohn, Jay Ellis, Normani, Dominique Thorne, and Jack Champion.
When did Freaky Tales premiere?
It premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 18, 2024.
When was Freaky Tales released theatrically?
It was released in theatres on April 4, 2025.
What does the title refer to?
The title references Too $hort's song "Freaky Tales."

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freaky_Tales_(film)
    Supports: Basic film identification, directors, cast, Sundance premiere, and theatrical release date.
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/freaky_tales
    Supports: Synopsis, rating, genre, runtime, and release dates.
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21942598/
    Supports: Premise and release information.
  4. RogerEbert.com — https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/freaky-tales-pedro-pascal-movie-review-2025
    Supports: Title origin, Oakland tribute, and contextual description.
  5. Variety — https://variety.com/2024/film/reviews/freaky-tales-review-pedro-pascal-jay-ellis-1235876452/
    Supports: Structure as four interconnected segments and setting in Oakland in 1987.