31 Days of Horror: Freak Out (2004) — A Bloody, British Love Letter to Troma

Freak Out 

Directed by Christian James 

Written by Christian James 

Starring James Heathcote, Dan Palmer 

Release Date September 11th, 2004

Freak Out (2004) is a gleefully gory British horror-comedy inspired by Troma and ’80s splatter films. Directed by Christian James, it’s a cult gem that parodies horror clichés with love, blood, and a tutu-wearing killer.

When British Humor Meets Troma-Style Carnage

In the tradition of low-budget horror trash from companies like Troma Films, Freak Out (2004) is a gleeful gorefest that wears its absurdity proudly. Writer-director Christian James delivers a parody packed with blood, belly laughs, and a genuine affection for horror’s trashiest tropes.

Unlike so many horror movies that are unintentionally funny, Freak Out’s humor is entirely by design — and surprisingly sharp. Starring James Heathcote and Dan Palmer in their debut performances, this indie gem finds joy in the chaos, turning a microbudget into a manic celebration of horror fandom.

A Horror Fan’s Wildest Dream Gone Wrong

Our hero is Merv (James Heathcote), a bored Londoner and horror obsessive whose bedroom walls are plastered with movie posters. He spends his free time haunting the local video store, renting every slasher, splatter, and zombie flick he can find.

His dream? To direct a horror movie of his own.

Fate intervenes in the strangest way when Merv discovers an escaped mental patient hiding in his shower. With the help of his dim but loyal best friend Onkey (Dan Palmer), Merv decides to train this gentle, bewildered man to become a real-life horror villain.

Their creation, “The Looney,” is a vegetarian terrified of blood whose killer costume includes a potato sack, a tennis racket, and a tutu. It’s as ridiculous as it sounds — and absolutely hilarious.

Guts, Gags, and Larry Hagman?

As The Looney begins his awkward killing spree, the film’s tone veers gleefully between Scary Movie-style slapstickand Troma-inspired splatter. Nothing is off-limits — not even a bizarre subplot involving the killer’s obsession with Dallas star Larry Hagman.

James and his cast clearly had the time of their lives, and that energy explodes off the screen in torrents of fake blood. Despite its shoestring budget, Freak Out looks surprisingly polished. The cinematography and editing are slicker than anything Troma has ever managed — no small feat for a film shot on pocket change.

Why Freak Out Deserves Cult Classic Status

Though difficult to find, Freak Out is one of those lost cult comedies that deserves to be rediscovered. It’s a film made by horror fans, for horror fans — a riotous, affectionate parody that never looks down on the genre it’s mocking.

If you can track down a copy, grab a few friends, crack open some beers, and prepare to laugh your head off. Literally.

Final Verdict

Freak Out (2004) is a deliriously fun horror parody that captures everything we love about trash cinema — without ever feeling trashy itself. For fans of Troma, Evil Dead II, or even Shaun of the Dead, this British splatter comedy is a must-see deep cut.

Movie Review Freak Out

Freak Out (2004) 

Directed by Christian James

Written by Christian James 

Starring James Heathcote, Dan Palmer 

Release Date October 15th, 2004

Published April 11th, 2004 

In the tradition of low budget horror trash from Troma films comes the British import Freak Out, a gory horror parody that spills as much blood as your average horror films with twice the laughs. Unlike most horror films, these laughs are intentional and delivered by a terrific cast of first time actors working on a budget that only Kevin Smith and the Blair Witch guys could appreciate.

The story, such as it is, is about Merv (James Heathcote), a bored Londoner with a passion for horror films. His bedroom is festooned with horror posters and he makes daily trips top the local video store to claim every new and old horror title he can get his hands on. Merv knows all of the old horror tropes and hopes to one day direct his own real horror film.

Fate smiles on him and Merv gets his chance when he captures a real life escaped mental patient hiding in his shower. With the help of his best friend Onkey (Dan Palmer), Merv trains the gentle mental patient, who only wishes to become a killer at Merv’s behest, to become a serial killer straight out of one of his favorite movies.

It’s slow going at first since the killer is a vegetarian who is terrified of the sight of blood. His idea of a scary killer outfit is a potato sack over his head, a tennis racket and a tutu. With the help of Merv and Onkey, the killer adopts the name ‘The Looney” because he escaped the looney bin and begins to take to killing Merv and Onkey’s friends and neighbors.

This movie is wildly all over the place with humor that flies between Scary Movie-esque quips and puns and Troma-style over the top gore. There is also scatology to spare, especially in a wacky subplot about the killer’s obsession with Dallas star Larry Hagman.

Writer-Director Christian James and his cast clearly enjoyed every minute of this low budget production and that joy flies off the screen in torrents of fake blood and over the top humor. James also shows a very professional flair considering the film’s low budget. Freak Out is surprisingly well shot and edited. Troma has been in this business for more than 20 years and their venerable director Lloyd Kaufman has yet to direct a film that looks as good as Freak Out.

It’s a tough film to find, independently produced out of Britain, but if you can get your hands on a copy, do it. Freak Out is the perfect “get your friends together, drink beer, and laugh your ass off movie.”