Filmmakers Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein have been busy playing in some massive Hollywood sandboxes lately. Still, they are officially returning to the indie sci-fi universe that put them on the map. Fresh off delivering Final Destination: Bloodlines, the directing duo is returning to their mutant roots with Freaks 2. And its first look image has officially arrived ahead of its world premiere. The sequel has secured the ultimate festival bragging rights. It has locked in its spot as the official closing-night film of the Fantasia International Film Festival.
A Road Trip Fueled by Superpowers and Revenge
The narrative jumps forward into a hostile, unforgiving future. It picks up several years after the claustrophobic, traumatic escape that capped off the 2018 original.
We find Mary (Amanda Crew) and her daughter Chloe (Lorelei Olivia Mote) living a nomadic life on the road. They are desperately hiding their powers and identities from the world. Unfortunately, they are being actively hunted by the Abnormal Defense Force (ADF)—a ruthless paramilitary police unit whose sole mission is the total extermination of “freaks.” This time around, Mary isn’t just trying to survive; she is fueled by pure, unadulterated revenge. She’s dead-set on hunting down the chilling ADF officer (played by genre royalty Lili Taylor) who murdered her first child.
Taking over the role of Chloe is Lorelei Olivia Mote (Riddle of Fire), stepping into the super-powered shoes of Lexy Kolker. In the first film, Kolker’s character spent her childhood trapped inside a decaying house, kept isolated from the world by an intensely paranoid, overprotective father played by Emile Hirsch.
Inventive Gore and Grounded Sci-Fi
When the original Freaks hit the festival circuit, critics instantly fell in love with its DIY grit. But while the first movie focused heavily on domestic tension, the sequel dials up the stakes—and the body count. Fantasia is already teasing that the film features some of the most “inventive gore we’ve seen in a Canadian film in years,” promising a visceral, bloody punch to punctuate the serious storytelling and outstanding performances.
A Fully Loaded Directing Slate
Securing a coveted closing-night festival slot is a massive win. Still, it’s just another Tuesday for Lipovsky and Stein, who are currently also working on Metal Gear Solid.
Make sure to keep your eyes open for the first trailer for Freaks 2. In the meantime, here’s a look back at the original trailer for Freaks. If you missed it or want to rewatch Freaks, you can stream it for free on Tubi.
