Freaky Farley

MOVIE #1,588 • 🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿🍿 • 04.29.24 MovieJeff on Motern: A FARLEY/ROXBURGH DIRECTOR FOCUS This is a huge departure: the first of two Motern productions filmed in Super 16, a ‘mat which they would ultimately ditch because of the expense. New England in the fall looks amazing on this grainy film stock, but it doesn't necessarily elevate the final product to the degree one might expect. These films just feel like they belong in the realm of the digital so it makes sense this was a short-lived experiment. It's an unanswerable question because, in a perfect world, Farley and Roxburgh would have all the money, time and resources in the world to make these movies, but the limitations inherent in this medium coupled with next to no budget seem more like a hindrance.

The scenes with the dubbed dialogue almost feel like bad giallo (that’s a compliment). I kind of wish the whole thing had been dubbed because some of the other sound mixing is very rough (thankfully Tubi has subtitles). It shouldn't be the case, but it's difficult to view this without thinking about the technical aspects, which isn't the case with the earlier (and later) films. But enough about all that.

As a story, this also feels like it's missing a bit of the charm. The premise is as wacky as ever but… something's just missing? Can't really put my finger on it. I think what it boils down to is as, whereas the first flicks each felt like entries in this extremely original universe, this feels too much like an homage to bad 80s horror (like The Pit and Silent Night, Deadly Night 2 — both referenced right on the movie poster).

Things finally take the left turn you're expecting when Farley goes on his homicidal killing spree and then starts slaying the evil forest trogs, making this the first true horror in the canon. It made me wish the whole movie had this crazy energy. I think my expectations for this one were too high. It's probably the best thing they've made up to this point and maybe one day I'll feel that way.

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When Farley Wilder (a weirdo peeping Tom in a small New England town) meets a daring young woman, he gains the confidence to both stand up to his domineering father and also save the town from the hushed-up secret that's been killing people for decades! It was released on October 8, 2007.