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Comedy drama

Freak Show (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Freak Show (2018) movie poster

Freak Show is a 2018 comedy drama directed by Trudie Styler, starring Alex Lawther as Billy, Bette Midler and Celia Weston. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $20,657 worldwide. Critics gave it 54% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10.

IMDb rating
6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
54%
worldwide gross
$20.7K
Echo Score
56
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Freak Show (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 35m (95 min)
Director
Trudie Styler
Genres
Drama , Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Freak Show About?

The premise of Freak Show without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A flamboyant teenager named Billy Bloom is uprooted from his glamorous life and forced to live with his conservative father at a strict high school. Determined to disrupt the status quo, Billy challenges the reigning mean girl and embarks on a campaign to become homecoming queen. He navigates the unfamiliar social landscape, bringing his unique style and confidence to shake things up and challenge the school’s rigid norms.

Freak Show Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • high school
  • teenage boy
  • queer
  • transvestite
  • bullying
  • title directed by female
  • two word title
  • homecoming queen
  • blackmail
  • hate crime
  • coma
  • hemorrhage
+38 more
  • abrasion
  • biology class
  • television reporter
  • child support
  • alcoholic mother
  • rich father
  • darien connecticut
  • blue jeans
  • reference to chloe sevigny
  • erection
  • school transfer
  • teenager
  • conservatism
  • eccentricity
  • prejudice
  • intolerance
  • schoolmate schoolmate relationship
  • voice over narration
  • narrated by character
  • scene during opening credits
  • first person narration
  • teenage boy sits on a rooftop
  • prologue
  • mother son relationship
  • mirror
  • looking at oneself in a mirror
  • glamour
  • boy
  • slow motion scene
  • red dress
  • woman wears a red dress
  • younger version of character
  • father son relationship
  • reference to oscar wilde
  • boy wears a suit
  • boy wears a bow tie
  • gossip
  • husband wife relationship
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Cast & crew

Freak Show Cast & Characters

Alex Lawther leads the cast as Billy, with Bette Midler as Muv and Celia Weston as Florence. Directed by Trudie Styler; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Freak Show

· 9 more
From the director

More from Trudie Styler

One more film directed by Trudie Styler: The Sweatbox.

Full filmography
Ratings

Freak Show Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Freak Show 54% on Rotten Tomatoes and 54 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 56/100, strongest in character & emotion (75) and weakest in art & craft (40).

56 /100

Freak Show Echo Score Breakdown

Freak Show elicits a notably mixed response, anchored by a standout lead performance but hampered by uneven direction and storytelling. Critics frequently commend the central portrayal while lamenting broad stylistic choices and predictable narrative turns. Audience reactions mirror this duality, praising emotional moments yet acknowledging clichés and simplistic handling of key themes. The film ultimately delivers moments of charm and empathy but stops short of becoming a memorable or cohesive whole.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 40

    In terms of direction and visual craft, the film shows uneven execution. Critics observe that debut direction leans on broad gestures and diffuse color schemes that lack cohesion. There is limited commentary on cinematography or technical precision beyond the colorful but scattered approach. As a result, the art and craft elements register as underdeveloped, contributing to a less polished overall aesthetic.

  • Character & Emotion 75

    When it comes to acting and emotional resonance, the film excels largely through its lead. Multiple observers highlight Alex Lawther’s committed and engaging portrayal as a genuine strength. User feedback consistently notes that his performance carries the film even when character depth relies on broad strokes. While the emotional connection is strong, some nuance is sacrificed, leaving character writing that occasionally feels simplistic.

  • Story & Flow 55

    Regarding plot coherence and engagement, the narrative oscillates between inspiring moments and predictable beats. Critics point to a formulaic structure and squandered thematic opportunities that dampen originality. Users find enjoyable coming-of-age elements and an uplifting message, but also note familiar clichés and simplistic resolutions. Overall, the storyline maintains intermittent engagement but lacks the depth or surprise to sustain full investment.

  • Sensory Experience 50

    In terms of score, sound design, and visual style, the film delivers a functional but unimpressive experience. Observers note a colorful palette that fails to coalesce into a distinctive aesthetic. There is scant mention of the soundtrack or soundscapes, suggesting that auditory elements do little to elevate the narrative. Consequently, the sensory presentation remains serviceable yet forgettable, offering modest support to the film’s emotional beats.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    When evaluating replay value, the central performance and positive messaging offer some incentive for repeat viewings. However, uneven craft and a familiar narrative arc may limit lasting appeal. While the film’s themes of inclusion and resilience can resonate, their straightforward treatment reduces complexity. On balance, Freak Show holds moderate rewatch potential but may prove less compelling once its standout moments have been revisited.

Plot

Freak Show Plot Summary

What happens in Freak Show from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Billy Bloom [Alex Lawther] gazes into the mirror, planning his makeup, and immediately signals that he is no ordinary teen. A flashback to his younger years shows how his indulgent, flamboyant, alcoholic mother, Muv [Bette Midler], worships him and actively encourages him to dress up, sparking loud arguments with his conservative father, Bill. After the two adults separate, Billy stays with his mother for seven years in Connecticut before being sent to live in his wealthy father’s mansion in the deep south, following her sudden disappearance that is later revealed to be rehab. Billy drifts further into a world of fantasy dress and self-expression, ignoring Florence’s quiet warnings to dress more conservatively for school.

Full summary

The whole story of Freak Show, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Freak Show Box Office

Freak Show grossed $20,657 worldwide. $19,696 came from the US and Canada and $961 (5%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$20.7K

US & Canada
$19.7K
International
$961
US & Canada 95% Rest of the world 5%
Videos

Freak Show Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 1 trailer and 1 clip.

Freak Show – Official Trailer l HD l IFC Films
  • Clip Freak Show - Clip "Atlantastic" I HD I IFC Films
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Freak Show?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What is the name of Billy's flamboyant, alcoholic mother?

Details

Freak Show Also Known As

10 alternative titles, including “校花争霸战” and “Цирк уродов”.

Also known as
  • 校花争霸战
  • Цирк уродов
  • 怪奇秀
  • 花嬌男孩扮裝秀
  • Циркът на изродите
  • Чудак
  • 프릭 쇼
  • Un spectacol al ciudaților
  • Obludárium
  • מופע מוזר

Seen Freak Show?

FAQ

Freak Show FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Freak Show, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Freak Show?

Freak Show runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).

When was Freak Show released?

Freak Show was released on January 12, 2018.

Who directed Freak Show?

Freak Show was directed by Trudie Styler.

More films by Trudie Styler

Who is in the cast of Freak Show?

Freak Show stars Alex Lawther as Billy, Bette Midler as Muv and Celia Weston as Florence, among 13 credited actors.

How much did Freak Show make at the box office?

Freak Show grossed $20,657 worldwide ($19,696 domestic, $961 international).

How is Freak Show rated?

Freak Show has 6.5/10 on IMDb, 54% on Rotten Tomatoes, 54 on Metacritic and 68% on TMDB.

Does Freak Show have a post-credit scene?

No. Freak Show has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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