Well Go USA Home Entertainment Announces the Release of FREAKS
The film, an official selection at TIFF '18, and opened in September in theatres in Canada.
FREAKS will become available on digital, VOD, DVD and Blu-Ray December 12, 2019.
The film stars Emile Hirsch (ONCE UPON A TIME IN HOLLYWOOD), Bruce Dern (THE HATEFUL EIGHT), Grace Park (BATTLESTAR GALACTICA) and Amanda Crew (HBO'S SILICON VALLEY).
WRITTEN BY: Adam Stein, Zach Lipovsky, DIRECTED BY: Adam Stein, Zach Lipovsky
STARRING: Emile Hirsch, Bruce Dern, Grace Park, Amanda Crew, Lexy Kolker
In this genre-bending psychological sci-fi thriller, a bold girl discovers a bizarre, threatening, and mysterious new world beyond her front door after she escapes her father's protective and paranoid control.
ABOUT THE CAST AND FILMMAKERS
FILMMAKER BIOGRAPHY
ADAM STEIN & ZACH LIPOVSKY (WRITERS/DIRECTORS)
The two met 11 years ago as competitors on “On the Lot,” Steven Spielberg’s reality show search for up-
and-coming filmmakers. They made a new short film every week and lived together for a summer,
sequestered in a bungalow on a studio lot in Los Angeles.
Out of the 12,000 filmmakers who started the competition, they both finished in the top 5 but short of the grand prize. But they won something better than the competition: a lasting friendship and collaboration.
Over the years they’ve directed digital and TV projects, most recently the live-action version of Disney’s
“Kim Possible.”
FREAKS is their first feature film, and the first project that they’ve written. As a result, it’s the most personal and artistic expression of who they are as filmmakers.
EMILE HIRSCH (“DAD”)
EMILE HIRSCH is currently filming Quentin Tarantino’s next film ONCE UPON A TIME IN
HOLLYWOOD for Sony opposite Margot Robbie, Leonardo Dicaprio and Brad Pitt. He will next be
seen in Jim Hosking’s AN EVENING WITH BEVERLY LUFF LINN, opposite Aubrey Plaza, Jemaine
Clement, and Craig Robinson, which debuted this year at Sundance. He just wrapped filming
NEVER GROW OLD, a western opposite John Cusack, directed by Ivan Kavanaugh.
Emile most recently starred on screen in Andre Overdal’s THE AUTOPSY OF JANE DOE, released
by IFC Films, and Gavin Wiesen’s ALL-NIGHTER opposite J.K. Simmons. He also recently
completed filming on the international feature CHINESE WIDOW for Palme d’Or- winning director
Bille August. In addition to Gary Michael Schultz’ VINCENT-N-ROXXY, which had its world premiere
at the Tribeca Film Festival this spring, Emile’s other recent screen credits include Craig Roberts’
JUST JIM and Shari Berman and Robert Pulcini’s 10,000 SAINTS with Ethan Hawke and Hailee
Steinfeld.
In 2013, Emile starred in the critically acclaimed box office hit, LONE SURVIVOR opposite Mark
Wahlberg, Taylor Kitsch and Ben Foster. Directed by Pete Berg, the film is based on
the best-selling book by Marcus Luttrell. He also starred in the Bruce Beresford-directed miniseries
BONNIE & CLYDE, which reached almost 10 million viewers while simultaneously airing on the
History Channel, A&E and Lifetime. He starred opposite Paul Rudd in PRINCE AVALANCHE, an off-
beat comedy directed by David Gordon Green which premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival
and went on to win the Best Director Award at the Berlin Film Festival. Emile also starred alongside
Stephen Dorff and Dakota Fanning in MOTEL LIFE, winner of the Audience Award at the 2012
Rome Film Festival, and starred opposite Penelope Cruz in Sergio Castellitto’s TWICE BORN which
premiered at the 2012 Toronto Film Festival.
Hirsch is likely best known for his breakthrough performance in INTO THE WILD, which was directed
by Sean Penn and received worldwide acclaim, including a SAG Award nomination for Hirsch. He
has also had starring roles in such films as William Friedkin’s KILLER JOE opposite Matthew
McConaughey, Gus Van Sant’s MILK, opposite Sean Penn, as well as SAVAGES, SPEED RACER,
ALPHA DOG, THE LORDS OF DOGTOWN, THE GIRL NEXT DOOR and THE DANGEROUS
LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS.
BRUCE DERN (“MR. SNOWCONE”)
Two-time Oscar nominee BRUCE DERN has played both modern day heroes and legendary villains.
Through decades of lauded performances, Dern has acquired the reputation of being one of the most
talented and prolific actors of his generation. FREAKS is the first science fiction film he’s appeared in since 1972’s SILENT RUNNING. Dern has several highly anticipated independent film projects completed, including THE ARTIST’S WIFE, MUSTANG, EMPEROR, THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON and WHITE BOY RICK opposite Matthew McConaughey (September 14, Sony Pictures). Earlier this year he earned rave reviews for his portrayal of Joe Kennedy in CHAPPAQUIDDICK. Last year he appeared with Jane Fonda and Robert Redford in the Netflix film OUR SOULS AT NIGHT. Other upcoming titles include REMEMBER ME, CLASS RANK, WARNING SHOT, ABILENE, THE LEARS, AMERICAN DRESSER and NOSTALGIA.
In 2015, Dern reteamed with his DJANGO UNCHAINED director Quentin Tarantino in the ambitious &
critically-acclaimed THE HATEFUL EIGHT. In 2013, Dern earned his second Academy Award nomination for his heralded role in Alexander Payne’s NEBRASKA. That role also garnered him a Best Actor Award from the Cannes Film Festival and the National Board of Review. He was also nominated for a BAFTA, Golden Globe, Independent Spirit Award, Broadcast Film Critics Association Award and Screen Actors Guild Award.
Dern was also nominated for an Emmy in 2011 for his portrayal of polygamist patriarch Frank Harlow in
HBO’s hit drama “Big Love.” A celebrated stage actor, Dern was trained by famed director Elia Kazan at
the legendary The Actor’s Studio and made his film debut in Kazan’s WILD RIVER in 1960. In the 60’s,
Dern also found success as a distinguished television actor. He appeared regularly in contemporary
Western TV series, as well as on “Alfred Hitchcock Presents.” Mr. Hitchcock was such a fan of Dern’s that
he cast him in MARNIE and FAMILY PLOT (Hitchcock’s final film).
Also during the 60’s, Dern went on to work with director Roger Corman and appeared in several of his
classic and decade defining films including WILD ANGELS. He also received critical success during that
time for films such as THEY SHOOT HORSES, DON’T THEY? and DRIVE, HE SAID. Dern goes down in history for his role as Long Hair in THE COWBOYS, in which he became the only man ever to kill John
Wayne on screen.
Dern went on to star in such classic films like THE KING OF MARVIN GARDENS with Jack Nicholson and Ellen Burstyn as well as playing Tom Buchanan in THE GREAT GATSBY (for which he received a Golden Globe nomination). It was his brilliant and powerful performance in Hal Ashby’s COMING HOME that earned him both an Academy Award and Golden Globe nomination.
Dern has starred in over 100 films in his career, including: MONSTER, HUSH...HUSH, SWEET
CHARLOTTE, SILENT RUNNING, SMILE, MIDDLE AGE CRAZY, THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON, TATTOO, THE ‘BURBS, THE HAUNTING, ALL THE PRETTY HORSES, MASKED AND ANONYMOUS, DOWN IN THE VALLEY, ASTRONAUT FARMER, THE CAKE EATERS, BLACK SUNDAY, MADISON, DIGGSTOWN, TWIXT and LAST MAN STANDING.
Dern has received several Lifetime Achievement Awards from various film festivals. In 2010, Dern
received the prestigious Hollywood Walk of Fame star along with his ex-wife Diane Ladd & daughter
Laura Dern, the only family in history to receive their Stars in one ceremony.
ALEXA KOLKER (“CHLOE”)
ALEXA KOLKER, who goes by LEXY, was born on August 17, 2009 and is already making waves in the
entertainment industry. She was introduced to acting as a toddler by her older sister Ava Kolker. Lexy was
7 years old during the filming of FREAKS.
Lexy is best known for her work on the USA network action thriller, SHOOTER playing Mary Swagger, the daughter of Ryan Phillippe and Shantel VanSanten for its 3 seasons and running. SHOOTER has brought Lexy a lot of media attention for her acting and even led to her being nominated for the 2017 Young Entertainment Awards for Best Recurring Young Actress 9 and Under in a Television Series.
In March 2017, Lexy traveled to South Africa to shoot a major Guest Star role on the CW pilot, “Searchers” where she played a fanciful girl named Fable, at the age of 8. Most recently, Lexy filmed an arc of 6 episodes in the popular series Marvel’s “Agents of Shield” where she plays a seer.
Lexy has also played strong roles in five indie films including two lead roles. Her first lead role came at the
tender age of 6 in an emotional film about the 911 aftermath in OUR LITTLE SECRET, which premiered in official competition at the Tallin Black Nights Film Festival and was also selected to screen at the Moscow Film Festival.
She then had strong supporting roles in FEMALE FIGHT SQUAD, directed by Miguel A. Ferrer, opposite
Amy Johnston, Sean Faris and Dolph Lundgren, YOU, THE CASE OF JONAS BOOKER and A LITTLE
MERMAID due to be released August of 2018 where she is told a new version of the fairy tale, ‘The Little
Mermaid’ by her grandmother, played by Shirley MacLaine.
Lexy will next be seen in FREAKS directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam B. Stein, which tells the story of a
little girl who discovers a world she was never allowed to be a part of. FREAKS was selected to premiere
at the Toronto Film Festival in 2018.
Outside of film and television acting, Lexy loves to sing and perform live. Even at her tender age, Lexy has
performed roles for Peter Pan, Hairspray, Aladdin Jr., Seussical the musical, The Little Mermaid and The
Lion King in her community theatre and has even earned a “Tony Award” for her performances.
She has already developed a loyal fan following on all the major social media sites and makes charity
event appearances along with her sister, Ava. Lexy’s fans are all excited to see what else is in store for
this passionate child actress.
AMANDA CREW (“MARY”)
AMANDA CREW has a striking presence with an undeniable talent through her range
of portrayals of characters in film and television. Amanda can currently be seen as the series regular role
of “Monica” on HBO’s Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award nominated series, “Silicon Valley”.
On the big screen, Crew will next be seen starring in Ricky Bate’s TONE DEAF, for Circle of Confusion,
FREAKS, produced and directed by Zach Lipovsky and Adam Stein, and GUT INSTINCT, alongside Josh
Hartnett, Antoine Olivier Pilo and Jim Gaffigan.
In 2017, Amanda starred opposite Anna Kendrick in the film, TABLE 19 as well as
THE AGE OF ADALINE, in 2015, alongside Blake Lively and Harrison Ford, and RACE, opposite Jason
Sudeikis. In 2010, Crew starred opposite Zac Efron, Kim Basinger, and Dave Franco in the Universal
feature film CHARLIE ST. CLOUD.
Based on the novel by Ben Sherwood and directed by Burr Steers, the supernatural drama centers on a
cemetery caretaker (Efron) who after the untimely death of his younger brother, meets and begins a
romantic relationship with a young woman (Crew) who is training for a sailing trip around the world.
Crew’s other film credits include; THE IDENTICAL opposite Ashley Judd and Ray Liotta; CRAZY KIND OF LOVE co-starring Virginia Madsen and Zach Gilford; the supernatural thriller THE HAUNTING OF
CONNECTICUT opposite Virginia Madsen and Elias Koteas; Bill Guttentag’s KNIFE FIGHT co-starring Rob Lowe and Julie Bowen; and THE BREAK- UP ARTIST.
The actress’ first leading role was in the 2008 film, SEX DRIVE, where she played spunky tomboy Felicia
alongside Josh Zuckerman and Clark Duke.
Born and raised in Langley, British Columbia, Crew began her professional acting career in 2003 when she was cast as a series regular on the Canadian television series, “15/ Love”. In 2005, Amanda landed the
female lead in the CTV hit series “Whistler” and soon after played supporting roles in the New Line film
FINAL DESTINATION 3 and SHE’S THE MAN for DreamWorks.
Emile Hirsch and Lexy Kolker by © Freak Productions Inc
GRACE PARK (“AGENT RAY”)
GRACE PARK is a fan-favorite for her starring roles on the critically acclaimed series “Battlestar
Galactica,” in which she played not one, but two leading roles (Boomer and Athena). Her performance
garnered her a place in TV Guide’s “100 Most Memorable Moments in TV History.”
For her seven-season-run on “Hawaii Five-0,” Park brought heart, suspense, tragedy and sensuality to
the iconic role of Kono Kalakaua (not as a man as originally written, but as a woman!) and she was
nominated in both 2011 and 2012 for a “Teen Choice Award” for Choice TV Actress: Action.
Park earned a nomination for Outstanding Newcomer Award in 2006 by the “Asian Excellence Awards”
for her artistry. In 2010, she received the “Achievement Award in Entertainment” by the KoreAm Awards.
In 2014, Park was honored with the “APEX Inspiration Award” and inducted into the “Asian Hall of Fame.”
Born in Los Angeles and raised in Canada, Park received a degree in Psychology from the University of
British Columbia before turning her attention to film and television. Immediate acclaim brought her “The
Border” for which she was nominated a “Gemini Award” for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading
Dramatic Role, and the respected film credit for THE CLEANER starring opposite Benjamin Bratt.
Lexy Kolker by © Freak Productions Inc
Zach Lipovsky, Adam B. Stein by © TIFF 2018
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