From director Steven Kostanski—known for splatter-heavy cult hits like The Void and PG: Psycho Goreman—comes Frankie Freako, a horror-comedy that aims to dial up the chaos, crank the VHS fuzz, and unleash a pint-sized goblin menace into your living room. Unfortunately, while the film has all the right ingredients on paper, the end result is a noisy, uneven mess that never quite finds its footing.

The premise is pure midnight-movie bait: Conor, a tightly wound yuppie (played by Conor Sweeney), calls a late-night party hotline and accidentally summons a rock-and-roll goblin from hell—Frankie Freako, voiced with glee by Matthew Kennedy. What follows is a barrage of low-budget practical effects, manic energy, and a throwback aesthetic that tries to marry the weirdness of Ghoulies with the gross-out humour of Garbage Pail Kids.

Kostanski, whose visual creativity is rarely in question, fills the screen with rubbery monster effects, neon lighting, and practical gore. It’s clear he’s having fun, and fans of Manborg or Father’s Day will find familiar vibes here. But unlike those earlier works, Frankie Freako struggles to balance its tone. The gags are more grating than funny, the pacing stutters, and despite its short runtime, the film often feels stretched thin.

Conor Sweeney gamely leads the charge, surrounded by a cast of Kostanski regulars and internet personalities like Rich Evans and Mike Stoklasa from Red Letter Media. Their presence adds a layer of cult credibility, but the script gives them little to do beyond mugging through absurd scenarios. Kristy Wordsworth and Adam Brooks add some spark, but it’s not enough to elevate the film from feeling like an overlong YouTube skit.

The real shame is that Frankie Freako could’ve been a chaotic gem if the humour had landed more often, or if the titular goblin had been used with more narrative bite. Instead, it’s a film so desperate to be outrageous and off-the-wall that it forgets to be consistently entertaining.

The Prognosis:

For die-hard fans of Kostanski’s DIY style and ‘80s gross-out nostalgia, Frankie Freako might still have some charm. But for most, it’s a party line best left unanswered.

• Saul Muerte