Freak Show (2018)

The vision of James St. James has been realized in Trudie Styler's charming film Freak Show, the story of a gender non-conforming teen whose dramatic life is one of triumph not tragedy. One of the best aspects of this story, and what Styler is able to highlight, is that Billy Bloom is no victim, despite what life throws at him and where he lands, Bloom flies his freak flag proudly.

Alex Lawther is one of those next big thing actors right now and Freak Show shows off his talents. Billy Bloom is a tour de force role where he gets to do it all. He is surrounded by an amazing cast which inclues the Divine Miss M playing a complicated version of the idealized but absent mother, Abigail Breslin as the virginity club style cheerleader, Anna Sophia Robb as the best friend, Laverne Cox as a plucky reporter, and the wonderful character actor Celia Weston as the midwestern stepmom with a heart of gold. But this is Lawther's show and a lessor actor couldn't have pulled this off. This is one of those roles that makes you want to keep an eye on what amazing things he's going to do next.

Freak Show is a delight. Styler misses some opportunities to make the film as delightfully queer as its subject, but by centering the film around such great performances, she has created a truly enjoyable and triumphant film.

Freak Show
Starring: Alex Lawther, Bette Midler, Laverne Cox, Abigail Breslin, Anna Sophia Robb, Celia Weston
Director: Trudie Styler
Writers: Patrick J. Clifton, Beth Rigazio