54
Metascore
10 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 80Village VoiceSerena DonadoniVillage VoiceSerena Donadoni[A] bitterly funny and warmly empathetic first feature.
- 70Los Angeles TimesKatie WalshLos Angeles TimesKatie WalshFreak Show is carried by a fully committed performance from Lawther, who quivers and swans and roars like the best of the Hollywood grand dames.
- 60EmpireHelen O'HaraEmpireHelen O'HaraLawther’s a charismatic, uncompromising lead, and Billy’s campaign is an inspiring one, but this sometimes settles for broad strokes of heroism or villainy where more subtlety would have increased its impact.
- 50The New York TimesGlenn KennyThe New York TimesGlenn KennyMr. Lawther is sympathetic and appealing as Billy, but Ms. Styler seems to mistake broad strokes for stylistic daring, and her colorful but diffuse movie never jells.
- 50The Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyThe Hollywood ReporterDavid RooneyWhat keeps it reasonably engaging...is an appealing central performance from Alex Lawther.
- 50Screen DailySarah WardScreen DailySarah WardFreak Show’s formula, fabulousness and feel-good messaging doesn’t sparkle so much as soak up the glow of its obvious predecessors.
- 50Arizona RepublicBarbara VanDenburghArizona RepublicBarbara VanDenburghThat Freak Show is not the joyous gay party it aspires to be is a testament to squandered opportunities. For all the aces up its sleeve, Freak Show never quite lets its freak flag fly.
- 38Movie NationRoger MooreMovie NationRoger MooreIt’s not terrible, just irritating. Freak Show is too busy flying the white flag, surrendering to the obvious, to ever let its freak flag fly.