Freaked (1993)

44% of critics liked it
(16 reviews)
58% of users liked it
(5,888 ratings)

The manic writing-directing comedy team of Tom Stern and Alex Winter (the latter of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey) followed up their deranged short-film collaborations and the short-lived MTV series The Idiot Box with this comic fantasy, which amounts to a virtual… More The manic writing-directing comedy team of Tom Stern and Alex Winter (the latter of Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey) followed up their deranged short-film collaborations and the short-lived MTV series The Idiot Box with this comic fantasy, which amounts to a virtual car crash of anarchic, mind-blowing weirdness. The brain-damaged plot follows self-centered sitcom actor Ricky Coogin (Winter), official spokesman for the E.E.S. (Everything Except Shoes) corporation, into the jungle-bound South American nation of Santa Flan. Coogin has been sent as an emissary on behalf of E.E.S. to placate the media uproar over a substance called Zygrot-27, a chief ingredient in many E.E.S. products which has been decried as a fatal environmental toxin. Accompanied by his friend Ernie (Michael Stoyanov) and environmental activist Julie (Megan Ward), Ricky takes a detour into the jungle to a bizarre amusement park overseen by bombastic barker/inventor Elijah C. Skuggs (Randy Quaid), who specializes in the display of "Hideous Mutant Freekz" (the film's original title). The trio soon discover that Skuggs manufactures his oddities himself, and they find themselves at the mercy of his hideous freakmaking factory -- which coincidentally uses Zygrot-27 as a catalyst. Once he has the hapless heroes strapped down, Skuggs reveals his intention to transform Coogin into an evil mega-freak who will destroy all the others in a slam-bang, standing-room-only closing event. Miffed at the notion of sustaining an acting career as a spine-covered, pus-gushing monster, Coogin joins a rebellion within Skuggs' captive stable of other man-made freaks -- whose ranks include such monstrosities as effete human worm; a bearded lady (Mr. T in a frilly dress); a man with a sock-puppet for a head (voiced by Bob Goldthwait); and Ortiz the Dog-Boy (an uncredited Keanu Reeves). Their plans to turn Ricky into a zygrot-powered superhero go astray, however, leading to a hilariously apocalyptic finale. Doomed to home-video status by lethargic distribution from Twentieth-Century Fox, this unappreciated gem deserves a second look; packed with hilarious visual gags, ultra-gross setpieces and body-function jokes, Freaked is a hallucinogenic funhouse of a movie. ~ Cavett Binion, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 19 min.
Directed By: Alex Winter, Tom Stern
Written By: Tim Burns, Tom Stern, Alex Winter
Genres: Drama, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 1, 1993 Wide
On DVD: Jul 12, 2005
Studio: 20th Century Fox

Critic Reviews

Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's unwatchable if viewed when sober.
Keith Breese, Filmcritic.com
what happens when you get a bunch of hipsters too weird for their own good in a room together and ask them to come up with something funny
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
...wears out its welcome...
Gerry Shamray, Sun Newspapers of Cleveland
Good idea, weak execution.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
A wacky bag of pleasure. The cameo's are great
Fred Topel, About.com
Awesome comedy. Very clever bits and references and an awesome cast!
Philip Martin, Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
...in its genuine weirdness, a real Hollywood rarity.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Shockingly freaky and often very funny.
Shane Burridge, rec.arts.movies.reviews
If you're tired of computer-generated visuals then you'll appreciate the domestic feel of the film's effects

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Greg S

A vain actor is turned into a freak in a South American mutant circus by a mad scientist, using the same chemical he's recently become a spokesman for. Bizarre freak costume design and a parade of B-list celebrities (Mr. T as the bearded lady, Larry "Bud" Melman) make… More
A vain actor is turned into a freak in a South American mutant circus by a mad scientist, using the same chemical he's recently become a spokesman for. Bizarre freak costume design and a parade of B-list celebrities (Mr. T as the bearded lady, Larry "Bud" Melman) make up for the hit-or-miss nature of the rapid fire NAKED GUN-style gags.
Phil H

Totally insane, off the wall surreal comedy fantasy which is also a total spoof and not to be watched if your expecting anything remotely sensible haha. Alex Winter of 'Bill n Ted' fame is the main lead in this but for the most part he is cover in some tremendous… More
Totally insane, off the wall surreal comedy fantasy which is also a total spoof and not to be watched if your expecting anything remotely sensible haha. Alex Winter of 'Bill n Ted' fame is the main lead in this but for the most part he is cover in some tremendous prosthetics/makeup which look both effective and kinda daft at the same time. He is joined by quite a motley crew of character actors such as Randy Quaid, Bobcat Goldthwait, Mr T, William Sadler, Brook Shields and a cameo from Sam Raimi, watch out for Keanu Reeves in an uncredited role as 'Dog Boy'. The plot is utterly crazy and involves toxic waste hence lots of monsters and bizarre mutants, each and every mutant character is well created and range from something simply like a guy farting allot to a guy that has a sock puppet for a head :) you see how weird this is. All I can say is its a wild trip with tonnes of great makeup, wacky ideas and very little sense, almost like an old MTV music video.
Alexis N

Oh Alex Winter, you're even cute as a mutant. I really liked this cheesy little 80's flick about mutants. It was just so fun and the soundtack is a blast. Classic.
Tim B

The funniest movie that nobody's ever heard of. It's funny to see the Flixter reviews of this one. Ratings are either 1 star or 5 stars. I guess it's a "love it or hate it" kind of movie. Weird and silly, I'm in the "love it" camp.
Curtis L

Really good costumes and cast. Mr T plays a bearded lady, come on.
Christopher B

Awesome comedy. This is one I rented knowing it would suck, but maybe there would be a couple decent laughs. There is a reason I'm not named Nostradamus. I was cracking up almost immediately and then watched it again with my brother (who loves it as well) right after. Such… More
Awesome comedy. This is one I rented knowing it would suck, but maybe there would be a couple decent laughs. There is a reason I'm not named Nostradamus. I was cracking up almost immediately and then watched it again with my brother (who loves it as well) right after. Such over the top humour mixed with subtle humour mixed with humour that doesn't have a name yet. Highly recommended, just for the touching story of the hammer.

Read all 6 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Alex Winter as Ricky Coogin

            Megan Ward as Julie

            Michael Stoyanov as Ernie

            Randy Quaid as Elijah C. Skuggs

            Mr. T as Bearded Lady

            Brooke Shields as Skye Daley

            Alex Zuckerman as Stuey Gluck

            Derek McGrath as Worm

            Lee Arenberg as The Eternal Flame

            Ray Baker as Bill Blazer

            David Bowe as EES Assistant

            Brian Brophy as Kevin

            Tim Burns as Frogman

            Jaime Cardriche as Toad

            Calvert DeForest as Larry "Bud" Melman

            Morgan Fairchild as Stewardess

            Arturo Gil as Clown

            Vincent Hammond as Giant Rick Monster

            John Hawkes as Cowboy

            Keanu Reeves as Ortiz the Dog Boy (uncredited)

            Eduardo Ricard as George Ramirez #1

            David Roberson as FBI Guy

            Deep Roy as George Ramirez #3

            Bill Sadler as Dick Brian

            Don Stark as Editor

            Patti Tippo as Rosie the Pinhead

            Bobcat Goldthwait as Sockhead as Tourist/Sockhead

            Jeff Kahn as Nosey

            Joseph S. Griffo as N. Eye

            J.D. Silvester as Biker

            Barbara Cohen
            
            Mary Gail Artz
            
            Tom Stern as Milkman

            Joe Baker as Prof. Nigel Crump

            Jack Yates as Security Guy
See full cast