Freddy Eddy Review: One man’s imaginary friend sets out to ruin his life in this classic psychological thriller.
Freddy Eddy Review
Frightfest 2017 is underway now, and one of the films it brings with it this year is the German psychological thriller, Freddy Eddy, about a man’s imaginary friend ruining his life.
If that sounds weird, it’s because it is. Freddy Eddy is a classic psychological thriller in every sense, in that it will mess with your head. Freddy (Felix Schafer) is an esteemed artist but he finds himself under scrutiny when accusations of beating his wife are thrown his way. The film opens with him standing on a train track, with a train hurtling his way because it has all gotten too much. But, when Freddy’s imaginary friend – Eddy (also Schafer) – appears to be the one behind all of this, Freddy has to find a way to prove that a product of his mind has come alive and is ruining his life. But, with things quickly falling apart due to Eddy’s interference, he must act fast before Eddy shuts Freddy out completely.
Freddy Eddy is a truly exceptional piece. For a thriller, it’s often quite slow – but never in a way that is of detriment to the proceedings. The film is quick to plunge us into the action, setting up many questions that it then takes its time in answering throughout its short run-time. This is a film that takes its time to tell its story and to craft such compelling characters and relations; by the time all the action goes down between Freddy and Eddy, we are already so emotionally invested in that it adds a layer of depth and intensity to the proceedings. The performances are great too; Schafer is excellent in this dual role. It’s a very understated, reserved performance but one that is equally as emotionally charged and broken; the situation has worn down Freddy and we can feel the pain he has gone through. Jessica Schwarz and Greta Bohacek give some tremendous support too, as Freddy’s new neighbours Paula and Mizi.
Freddy Eddy Review
Director Tini Tullmann’s orchestration of the tension is sublime; Tullmann uses some impressive camera work and sound design to create an atmosphere that is constantly unnerving and unpredictable and permeated with a sinister edge. Again, this is a very pensive thriller and one that really gets under your skin. There’s a lot of mystery surrounding just what is going on with Freddy’s life and how Eddy has gotten involved for quite some time and the film even has a few tricks and surprises up its sleeve as well. The cinematography is very slick and pretty; there’s a simplistic nature to this whole film – from the editing to the direction – but it works. The film’s focus is its characters and the writing is sharp and astute; the dialogue only every so often feels stilted but is believable enough most of the time. Tullmann has breathed a genuine authenticity to this film, grounding it as much as possible, and it makes for a thoroughly enjoyable, thrilling, sometimes even challenging and quite entertaining film-going experience.
Freddy Eddy review by Awais Irfan, August 2017.
Freddy Eddy is currently playing as part of the Horror Channel Frighfest 2017 programme.
