Pedro Pascal’s latest film, Freaky Tales, has arrived on HBO Max, offering viewers a distinctive experience within the 2025 action movie lineup. Set in 1987 Oakland, California, this genre-blending movie weaves together the lives of diverse characters such as an NBA star, a corrupt police officer, a female rap duo, teenage punks, neo-Nazis, and a debt collector, all colliding in unexpected ways.
Alongside Pascal, the cast includes Ben Mendelsohn and Jay Ellis, with appearances by Tom Hanks, Normani, the late Angus Cloud, and Dominique Thorne. Despite positive critical reception—with a 74% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and an 89% audience score on Popcornmeter—the film did not achieve commercial success at the box office.
The Creative Vision Behind Freaky Tales and Its Limited Theatrical Run
Freaky Tales, directed and co-written by Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck, known for Captain Marvel, showcases an innovative storytelling style with interwoven narratives and shifting visual motifs inspired by 1980s Oakland. The film underwent a limited theatrical release by Lionsgate, appearing in just over 300 U.S. theaters, resulting in modest exposure prior to its HBO Max debut.
Ryan Fleck, reflecting on the process, described Freaky Tales as his 12-year-old-fantasy of a movie, making clear that the project was driven by his desire to realize a wild, creative dream rather than focusing on a star-studded cast or a commercial narrative.
Pedro Pascal’s Expanding Range in Highly Varied Roles
Pedro Pascal, who rose to prominence with his role as Oberyn Martell on Game of Thrones, continues to diversify his filmography with this unique 2025 action movie. His career gained major momentum after taking on the titular character in Lucasfilm’s The Mandalorian, followed by prominent roles in The Last of Us and Marvel Studios’ The Fantastic Four: First Steps.
In Freaky Tales, Pascal plays Clint, the debt collector caught in a chaotic and ill-fated job, adding another complex and unconventional character to his repertoire. His involvement further cements his status as one of Hollywood’s most sought-after actors.
An Ensemble Cast Portraying a Collision of Unlikely Characters
The film features a robust ensemble, each representing distinct facets of Oakland’s 1980s underground scene. From the sports world to law enforcement, music, youth rebellion, and organized hate groups, the characters’ interconnecting lives culminate in tense confrontations and narrative showdowns across the film’s runtime.
The movie’s style can be described as
“a multi-track mixtape of colorful characters — an NBA star, a corrupt cop, a female rap duo, teen punks, neo-Nazis, and a debt collector — on a collision course in a fever dream of showdowns and battles.”
—Film Description
Positive Festival Reception and Wider Availability on Streaming Platforms
Freaky Tales premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, where critics responded positively to its innovative approach and ambitious storytelling. Its subsequent availability on HBO Max now allows a broader audience to engage with this offbeat action movie in the comfort of their homes, extending its cultural reach well beyond its limited theatrical footprint.
With its unique narrative structure and layered characters, the film stands apart in the 2025 action movie scene, attracting viewers interested in experimental cinema as much as action-driven storytelling.
