Finally, the superhero film we deserve as a quartet of circus freaks takes on the Third Reich in Gabriele Mainetti’s feature, Freaks vs. the Reich.
It’s 1943 in Rome at the “Mezza Piotta Circus.” The big top finale involves the circus’ four top stars. First, there is Matilde (Aurora Giovinazzo), who can summon electricity from her body. Second, Cencio (Pietro Castellitto) can command insects to do his will with a mere thought. Third, Mario (Giancarlo Martini) is magnetic and can attract all metal. Finally, we have the wolfman Fulvio (Claudio Santamaria), covered in hair with extraordinary strength. All are led by the ringmaster Israel (Giorgio Tirabassi).
The crowds love the Freaks, but their careers come to an abrupt end when the circus and town they are performing are bombed and invaded by the Nazis. When the dust settled, the SS began gathering the town’s Jews for immediate relocation, including Israel.
Our four freaks decide to find safe passage to America but are soon captured by the Nazis. While on the road to the prison camp, the four use their powers to escape and help rescue some of the Jews on the truck.
Meanwhile, SS Lieutenant Franz (Franz Rogowski), who is also a freak, is looking to pull together a freak team to present to Hitler as a super-soldier squad. Franz’s powers come from his six fingers. He can play the piano and, strangely, see into the future.
“…looking to pull together a freak team to present to Hitler as a super-soldier squad.”
There is so much to love about Freaks vs. the Reich. First is the artistic and production design of the film. It’s reminiscent of a lot of my favorite films and genres. Director Gabriele Mainetti could be mistaken for Tim Burton. There’s a surreal nature to this tale. It feels like 1940s Rome, but there is a magical element to our story with the addition of the Freaks.
The is also a haunting and tragic tone as this is a country under Nazi rule. The bombing of the virus is tragic, and the deaths surrounding it are equally haunting. Now add the incredibly sadistic Franz, who essentially tortures freaks for fun, looking for the ones who match his own powers.
The real reason to see Freaks vs. the Reich is our team of freaks. They are a bunch of misfits who can’t quite get the teamwork thing together. That doesn’t mean they don’t love and admire one another…teamwork is not their forte. But, like a good superhero film, each one gets their time to shine individually and then kick significant Nazi a*s as a team. Matilde ultimately becomes the Jean Grey of the crew. There is no irony in the fact that they are called the Fantastic Four at one point in the film.
Back to production design, the sets are beautiful, the music is haunting, and the overall look of the film would put current Disney to shame. Yes, it’s CG-heavy, but Freaks does rely primarily on practical sets and props for authenticity and realism.
Freaks vs. the Reich is going to remind you of several films all at once—Superman, Life is Beautiful, Big Fish, X-Men, and, weirdly, Pippi Longstocking. So if you’re suffering from superhero fatigue, Freaks vs. the Reich is just the palette cleanser you need.
Freaks vs. the Reich is currently in theaters and Video on Demand.
