X
  • 2018
  • Not Rated
  • IFC Films
  • 1 h 31 m
  • 2018
  • Not Rated
  • IFC Films
  • 1 h 31 m

Summary Billy Bloom (Alex Lawther) is one-of-a-kind: a fabulous, glitter-bedecked, gender-bending teenager whose razor-sharp wit is matched only his by his outrageous, anything-goes fashion sense. When his glamorous mother (Bette Midler) is forced to send him to live with his straight-laced father (Larry Pine), Billy finds himself a diva-out-of-...

Directed By: Trudie Styler

Written By: Patrick J. Clifton, Beth Rigazio, James St. James

  • 2018
  • Not Rated
  • IFC Films
  • 1 h 31 m
  • 2018
  • Not Rated
  • IFC Films
  • 1 h 31 m

Freak Show

Metascore Mixed or Average Based on 10 Critic Reviews
54
User Score Universal Acclaim Based on 24 User Ratings
8.1
My Score
Hover and click to give a rating Saved

Where to Watch

Summary Billy Bloom (Alex Lawther) is one-of-a-kind: a fabulous, glitter-bedecked, gender-bending teenager whose razor-sharp wit is matched only his by his outrageous, anything-goes fashion sense. When his glamorous mother (Bette Midler) is forced to send him to live with his straight-laced father (Larry Pine), Billy finds himself a diva-out-of-...

Directed By: Trudie Styler

Written By: Patrick J. Clifton, Beth Rigazio, James St. James

Where to Watch

Top Cast

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Critic Reviews

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Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 10 Critic Reviews
54
30% Positive
3 Reviews
60% Mixed
6 Reviews
10% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

Critic Reviews

 View All
Metascore
Mixed or Average Based on 10 Critic Reviews
54
30% Positive
3 Reviews
60% Mixed
6 Reviews
10% Negative
1 Review

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
80
Jan 9, 2018
[A] bitterly funny and warmly empathetic first feature.
By Serena Donadoni FULL REVIEW
70
Jan 18, 2018
Freak Show is carried by a fully committed performance from Lawther, who quivers and swans and roars like the best of the Hollywood grand dames.
By Katie Walsh FULL REVIEW

User Reviews

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User Score
Universal Acclaim Based on 24 User Ratings
8.1
79% Positive
19 Ratings
17% Mixed
4 Ratings
4% Negative
1 Rating

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews

User Reviews

 View All
User Score
Universal Acclaim Based on 24 User Ratings
8.1
79% Positive
19 Ratings
17% Mixed
4 Ratings
4% Negative
1 Rating

  • All Reviews
  • Positive Reviews
  • Mixed Reviews
  • Negative Reviews
10
enikmix
Apr 18, 2021
[SPOILER ALERT: This review contains spoilers.]
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10
santymvazquez
Feb 17, 2018
Definitely, the best movie I've seen, I loved everything, but the best thing was the message the movie gave, it was incredible!
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60
Jun 25, 2018
Lawther’s a charismatic, uncompromising lead, and Billy’s campaign is an inspiring one, but this sometimes settles for broad strokes of heroism or villainy where more subtlety would have increased its impact.
By Helen O'Hara FULL REVIEW
50
Jan 11, 2018
Freak Show’s formula, fabulousness and feel-good messaging doesn’t sparkle so much as soak up the glow of its obvious predecessors.
By Sarah Ward FULL REVIEW
50
Jan 11, 2018
What keeps it reasonably engaging...is an appealing central performance from Alex Lawther.
By David Rooney FULL REVIEW
40
Jan 11, 2018
Freak Show...doesn’t exhibit an understanding of queer identity that goes much deeper than the sheer sequined fabulosity of Billy’s image.
By Guy Lodge FULL REVIEW
38
Aug 20, 2020
It’s not terrible, just irritating. Freak Show is too busy flying the white flag, surrendering to the obvious, to ever let its freak flag fly.
By Roger Moore FULL REVIEW
See All 10 Critic Reviews
7
Rcavey92212
Jul 29, 2020
I stumbled upon this little gem for Pride month. Alex Lawther of the end of the f***ing world stars as Billy Bloom a creative and talented young man who finds himself living with his father in a middle American town filled with ****. Regardless of what anyone thinks he stays true to himself. After a vicious attack he is saved by the school quarterback and a friendship begins. The boy, Flip is played by the adorable Ian Nelson of the boy next door, tries to help him fit in better but he's commited to being his genuine self. Diva Bette Midler (Beaches) stars as his mother and Abigail Breslin (Zombieland), Anna Sophia Robb (Bridge to Terebithia), Celia Watson (Invasion) and Willa Fitzgerald (MTV's Scream) also star. It's a fun, emotional coming of age flick that's not perfect but is definitely worth a watch. 7.25/10
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7
justwibi
Aug 29, 2018
cliche and mediocre. but, alex performance definitely daved entire film. his performance so engaging.
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7
ShowMeMore
Jun 1, 2018
I was captivated from the moment Alex Lawther (as Billy) began the narration in the opening scene. I consider him incredibly talented and he played this role fabulously. It is a role which I would consider difficult and needed real talent to be convincing. The film has a global message and thankfully avoids labeling. It is not a movie that follows the formulas seen in Call me by your Name or Love, Simon. It's quite different to those. I totally recommend it.
Report
6
JLuis_001
Jan 22, 2018
Good for its message, it undoubtedly touches inclusion and bullying in an accurate way but it is also handled in a simplistic way, it seems to be focused on audiences that will not demand more and it also feels at times like an episode of Glee. It is worth watching for the strong perfomance of its lead actor Alex Lawther.
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See All 6 User Reviews

Details

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Production Company Maven Pictures, Flower Films (II), Bruno Wang Productions, Co Made, Freak Show Films
Release Date Jan 12, 2018
Duration 1 h 31 m
Rating Not Rated
Genres
View All Details

Awards

Berlin International Film Festival
• 3 Nominations
Edinburgh International Film Festival
• 1 Nomination

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