Freaks:
Director: Tod Browning
Year: 1932
Rated: Not Rated
Genre: Drama, Horror
Length: 1 hour 4 minutes
Country of Origin: United States
Language: English, German, French
Streaming on: Amazon Prime, Vudu, Apple TV
Summarizing the Film
Day 27 of 31 Days of Horror Movie Challenge: Carnival Nightmares starts with the dark horror Tod Browning’s Freaks (1932). The narrative revolves around a conniving trapeze artist, Cleopatra, who joins a group of carnival sideshow performers with a sinister plan to seduce and murder a dwarf in the troupe to gain his inheritance. As the plot unfolds, dangerous consequences emerge, leading to a climax that is both horrifying and strangely satisfying.
Filming Techniques at the Time
Filmed in Los Angeles in 1931, Browning’s vision was to tell a tale of love, greed, and revenge within the circus, specifically the sideshow of human anomalies. To achieve authenticity, he sought the perfect cast from Europe and America, featuring celebrated Siamese twins, a half boy, and other individuals with unique physical attributes.
The Film’s Influence on Horror Films
Despite its initial critical backlash and being considered too grotesque, Freaks garnered notice for its portrayal of sideshow characters by individuals with real disabilities. The film’s controversial content led to its ban in the United Kingdom for over 30 years. However, in retrospect, Freaks has been hailed as one of the most compassionate films ever made, presenting a starkly sympathetic portrait of its sideshow characters rather than an exploitative one.
Methods Used to Show Circus-Related Horror
The horror in Freaks arises from the exploitation and mistreatment of the circus performers, utilizing the audience’s fear of the unknown and societal prejudices. The film masterfully creates an uncomfortable atmosphere by incorporating real-life individuals with physical abnormalities. Additionally, it explores rituals within the circus, contrasting acceptance and exclusion.
The Film’s Overall Legacy
Despite its initial ban and critical challenges, Freaks has become a cult classic. Its portrayal of people with disabilities has become a significant point of analysis, with scholars interpreting the film as a metaphor for class conflict during the Great Depression. Freaks challenge norms and provokes deep reflections on societal attitudes, a must for Day 27 of 31 Days of Horror Movie Challenge: Carnival Nightmares.