FreaksFreaks
(1932)
Close video

Freaks

A trapeze artist marries a sideshow performer for his inheritance, but his friends discover her true intentions.

Trailer

Why watch this film?

It's almost a miracle that we can watch 'Fenómenos' today, better known by its original title 'Freaks', since it was made in 1932 contravening the Motion Picture Production Code (better known as the Hays Code), established in the United States in 1930 but rigorously applied from 1934. Directed by Tod Browning (also responsible for Universal Pictures's iconic 'Dracula' starring Bela Lugosi), the film not only suffered multiple cuts in the editing room, but was also repudiated at its premiere and then (almost) forgotten. Revalued after a screening at the Venice Film Festival in 1962, today it is considered a cult classic, appreciated for its honest and empathetic representation of these circus characters, demonstrating that the real monsters or "phenomena" are greed, cruelty, and discrimination against those who are different.

Filmelier

Filmelier

Our suggestions

Plot summary

A circus' beautiful trapeze artist agrees to marry the leader of side-show performers, but his deformed friends discover she is only marrying him for his inheritance.

To share

Where to watch?