--- title: "Freaks: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/freaks/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/freaks" critics_score: 74 critics_reviews: 10 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Freaks (1932): what the critics said Critics' score 74 from 10 reviews: 7 positive, 1 mixed, 2 negative. Most critics respond warmly to Freaks, finding compassion for its circus performers beneath the horror. Praise centres on Browning’s attention to the carnival community and his challenge to conventional ideas of beauty and abnormality. The performers’ everyday lives matter to these reviews as much as the film’s capacity to disturb. Several critics single out the wedding feast, with The AV Club particularly praising the sound and chant for making the scene emotionally complex as well as unsettling. The spread of opinion is wide, and even favourable reviews question whether the film’s humanity sits comfortably with its exploitative aspects. The strongest dissent comes from Variety and Eye for Film: the former admires the direction but finds the story unengaging and the romance unconvincing; the latter finds the dialogue stilted and the performances awkward. The central disagreement concerns whether compassion outweighs the discomfort, though the negative reviews also identify basic dramatic weaknesses. ## Slant Magazine — Ed Gonzalez Rating 4/4. 29 October 2003. The review argues that the film’s significance lies in its humanity, not merely its shock value. It praises Browning’s compassionate portrayal of the circus performers and his challenge to conventional ideas of beauty and abnormality. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/freaks/) ## Time Out — Tom Huddleston Rating 5/5. 7 June 2015. The review calls the film heartbreaking and empathetic, and an unforgettable achievement. It singles out its compassionate portrayal of circus life. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/freaks) ## The New Yorker — John C. Mosher Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 8 July 1932. Mosher calls the film a remarkable, chilling gem, while warning that it is not for everyone. He especially singles out the wedding feast, where the circus performers toast the bride and promise to accept her. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1932/07/16/not-for-children) ## Radio Times — Alan Jones Rating 4/5. Jones calls the film a deserved cult masterpiece, both nightmarish and compassionate. He praises how Browning immerses viewers in the carnival community before chillingly showing the consequences of betrayal. [Read the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movie-guide/b-ltyq9k/freaks/) ## The Guardian — Mark Kermode Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 14 June 2015. Kermode regards the film as a modern classic and argues that Browning’s sympathies are clear. He singles out Johnny Eck’s remarkable agility and the respectful, admiring effect of his performance. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/jun/14/freaks-tod-browning-1932-once-banned-film-review) ## Empire — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. Newman finds the film an oddly charming, one-of-a-kind masterpiece, despite its disturbing ending. He praises its fondness for the carnival performers, while noting that the finale turns them into the monsters society expects. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/freaks-2-review/) ## The AV Club — Mike D'Angelo Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 29 March 2010. D’Angelo finds the film’s impact unforgettable despite its troubling, exploitative aspects. He particularly praises how Browning’s sound design and the chant deepen the wedding feast’s unsettling emotional complexity. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/freaks-1798219485) ## Los Angeles Times — MARK CHALON SMITH Fi1m's normalised score 65/100 (inferred from the text). 30 October 1995. The critic finds the film macabre and disturbing, but more humane than its reputation suggests. The review praises Browning’s sympathetic portrayal of the circus performers and finds their revenge curiously satisfying. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-10-30-ca-62791-story.html) ## Variety — Variety Staff Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 31 December 1931. The review finds the film handsomely made but says its story fails to hold interest. It praises the direction while criticizing the overly fantastic romance and several performances. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1931/film/reviews/freaks-1200410603/) ## Eye for Film — Keith Hennessey Brown Fi1m's normalised score 35/100 (inferred from the text). 7 August 2001. Festival review. The critic finds the film unpleasant and heavy-going, though worth a look for viewers interested in exploitation cinema. They single out its stilted dialogue and awkward performances as reasons the experience is challenging. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/freaks-film-review-by-keith-hennessey-brown) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/freaks.md