Frankie Freako (2024) - Walkden Entertainment

Note: I worked on the PR campaign for this film, but this review is unpaid and reflects my honest opinion.

Meet Conor: The King of Boring

Conor (Conor Sweeney) is an unremarkable individual and a dedicated workaholic who is eager to secure a promotion. He is currently preoccupied with preparing for an upcoming presentation at work. However, his boss, Mr. Buechler (Adam Brooks), finds Conor’s draft presentations bland, dull, and disappointing. He warns Conor that unless he improves the presentation, he will have no chance of earning a promotion.

Love Life on Life Support

But Conor’s work issues are not his only concerns. His relationship with his wife, Kristina (Kristy Wordsworth), could also use improvement, especially in terms of romance and intimacy. To Conor, a wild and exciting night consists of watching antique shows, ordering a half-and-half cheese pizza, and staying up until 8:30 PM. Essentially, Conor has come to see himself as somewhat predictable and is beginning to doubt his character, feeling increasingly like a ‘square’.

Enter the Goblin: A Tempting Offer

One evening, Conor is awake, troubled by his work and various aspects of his life. He sees an advertisement promising the party of a lifetime, with a red, goblin-like figure featured in the commercial. All Conor has to do is pick up his cordless phone and dial 1900-555-FREAKO. He considers the idea but dismisses it, thinking it’s lame. But the next day, when he returns to his work routine, Conor starts experiencing strange visions of the red goblin-like character named Frankie from the TV commercial. Despite his attempts to ignore these visions, they persist. Soon after, Kristina is called away for work, leaving Conor alone. As he spends another dull night by himself, temptation grows stronger. Frustrated with his monotonous life, Conor decides to take action. He picks up his phone and dials the number, seeking an unforgettable party and a transformative experience.

Welcome to the Chaos: The Freaks Take Over

When he wakes up the next morning, he finds that his beautiful home is in ruins, destroyed by the chaotic antics of three goblin-like creatures: Frankie Freako (voiced by Matthew Kennedy), Dottie Dunko (voiced by Meredith Sweeney), and Doink (voiced by Adam Brooks). Conor’s world has been turned completely upside down, and things are about to get even worse. They must now contend with Freako’s arch-nemesis, President Munch (voiced by Rich Evans) from Freakworld, who threatens to destroy Earth as we know it. Can Conor transform from a nobody to a hero and team up with his newfound freakish friends, or will it all end in disaster?

The Kostanski Touch: Wacky, Wild, and Full of Heart

Frankie Freako combines elements of horror with wacky, random comedy. For those who may not know, the film was written, directed, and edited by Steven Kostanski. His previous work includes co-directing and co-writing The Void (2016) and Father’s Day (2011), as well as directing and writing Psycho Goreman (2020). He also directed Leprechaun Returns (2018) and numerous other projects.

Retro Vibes and Practical Magic

As a long-time fan of Steven Kostanski, I’m thrilled to share that he has once again delivered a film brimming with creativity and delightfully wacky entertainment. The movie is overflowing with 80s nostalgia, which is evident through the technology, fashion, home decor, and puppet work, reminiscent of classic titles from that era, such as Gremlins and Terminator. The puppet work is enjoyable, and the voice cast adds to the charm. I appreciate the creativity on display, especially the attention to detail in each puppet and its character, including the likable Frankie. The stop-motion aspects are also impressive. Although the plot is incredibly simplistic, it often takes unpredictable turns. Moreover, the film has a short and snappy runtime.

Not Every Gag Hits-But Most Do

As you might expect, the film is filled with random gags, some of which may not be immediately apparent on the first viewing. I enjoyed the randomness and energy brought by both Conor Sweeney and Adam Brooks; I find Brooks consistently hilarious in all of Steven’s films! When it comes to the film’s humour, opinions are bound to differ. While not every gag landed for me, the vast majority certainly did. In terms of the plot, the film presents viewers with a highly random and vague reveal, which I found weakened the overall experience slightly.

Final Thoughts: Weird, Wild, and Worth the Call

Overall, if you’re looking for a film that offers sheer entertainment and minimal mental effort, Frankie Freako is the perfect choice. Director and writer Steven Kostanski has once again succeeded in creating a film full of random comedy, impressive puppet work, and captivating stop-motion effects. The overwhelming nostalgia in this movie makes it impossible not to smile. Conor Sweeney delivers a leading performance brimming with energy and wackiness, while Adam Brooks continues to stand out as one of the funniest talents in cinema. If you’re tired of dull films, it’s time to rock ‘n’ roll with Frankie Freako. If you enjoyed Gremlins, Psycho Goreman, or Critters, this is a party you won’t want to miss! And, of course, Shabadoo!

Frankie Freako (2024) will be available digitally in Australia and New Zealand from July 16th!