“That voice was a parasite inside my mind – and I was way too generous a host.”
This line sets the tone for Control Freak,Hulu's latest bone-chilling psychological horror. Written and directed by Shal Ngo and starring Kelly Marie Tran (of Star Wars and Raya And the Last Dragon fame), Miles Robbins, Kieu Chinh, Callie Johnson and Toan Le, Control Freak is an intensely heady, emotionally charged and unnervingly relevant meditation on the destructive trail of mental illness. Based on Ngo's 2021 short film of the same name, featured in Hulu's Bite Size Halloween, the full-length feature goes all-in on its literal depiction of mental illness, inherited trauma and Buddhist folklore, but its longer length and unsteady pacing works against it.
Valerie Nguyen (Kelly Marie Tran) is a successful motivational speaker. In public, she is capable, confident, and, above all, in control. Behind the scenes, Val's desperate need for control isn't so well-received.
This line sets the tone for Control Freak,Hulu's latest bone-chilling psychological horror. Written and directed by Shal Ngo and starring Kelly Marie Tran (of Star Wars and Raya And the Last Dragon fame), Miles Robbins, Kieu Chinh, Callie Johnson and Toan Le, Control Freak is an intensely heady, emotionally charged and unnervingly relevant meditation on the destructive trail of mental illness. Based on Ngo's 2021 short film of the same name, featured in Hulu's Bite Size Halloween, the full-length feature goes all-in on its literal depiction of mental illness, inherited trauma and Buddhist folklore, but its longer length and unsteady pacing works against it.
Valerie Nguyen (Kelly Marie Tran) is a successful motivational speaker. In public, she is capable, confident, and, above all, in control. Behind the scenes, Val's desperate need for control isn't so well-received.
- 3/10/2025
- by Hannah Rose
- CBR
Control Freak: A Hulu Horror That Will Make You Fear the Itch
Hulu’s newest psychological horror film, Control Freak, offers a chilling yet darkly comedic dive into perfectionism, control, and the horrifying consequences of losing both. Starring Kelly Marie Tran in a captivating lead role, this movie transforms a simple nuisance—an itchy scalp—into an unsettling body horror experience that will make you hyper-aware of every little tingle on your skin.
Kelly Marie Tran takes on the role of Val, a motivational speaker known for her Ted Talks, where she inspires thousands to take charge of their lives. On stage, she exudes confidence, but behind the scenes, Val struggles with internal battles she cannot seem to win. Beneath her poised exterior lies a woman plagued by compulsions and anxieties that refuse to be tamed.
When an unexplained itch starts tormenting her scalp, Val initially chalks it up to stress.
Hulu’s newest psychological horror film, Control Freak, offers a chilling yet darkly comedic dive into perfectionism, control, and the horrifying consequences of losing both. Starring Kelly Marie Tran in a captivating lead role, this movie transforms a simple nuisance—an itchy scalp—into an unsettling body horror experience that will make you hyper-aware of every little tingle on your skin.
Kelly Marie Tran takes on the role of Val, a motivational speaker known for her Ted Talks, where she inspires thousands to take charge of their lives. On stage, she exudes confidence, but behind the scenes, Val struggles with internal battles she cannot seem to win. Beneath her poised exterior lies a woman plagued by compulsions and anxieties that refuse to be tamed.
When an unexplained itch starts tormenting her scalp, Val initially chalks it up to stress.
- 3/1/2025
- by Skylar Kinsley
- popgeeks - film
"There's something wrong with her..." "I can't stop!" Hulu has unveiled an official trailer for another new super creepy streaming horror film titled Control Freak, directed by filmmaker Shal Ngo. Even though it's not part of their usual Huluween offerings, this feels like it belongs in that category. In Control Freak, the very talented actress Kelly Marie Tran stars as Valerie, a woman whose life spirals into chaos due to an inexplicable & powerful affliction on her. Val is a motivational speaker who is tormented by an unrelenting itch on the back of her head, which turns out to be some gross parasitic demon.
- 2/28/2025
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Having burst onto the scene as resistance fighter Rose Tico in Star Wars sequels The Last Jedi and The Rise of Skywalker, and then followed that straight up with a starring role in 2021's Raya And The Last Dragon, Kelly Marie Tran has been scratching her acting itch in a variety of indie and lower key projects over the last few years. In her next movie, Shai Ngo's Hulu bound horror joint Control Freak, Tran will be scratching a far more literal itch — or at least trying to — as Val, a motivational speaker who finds her bonce being plagued by a demonic parasite. Sound crazy? Well, just check out the trailer below — it looks crazy, too:
She may have played rebels, warriors, Croods, and villains, but suffice it to say that Control Freak is shaping up to be a whole different kettle of effed-up fish for Kelly Marie Tran. In this attention grabbing,...
She may have played rebels, warriors, Croods, and villains, but suffice it to say that Control Freak is shaping up to be a whole different kettle of effed-up fish for Kelly Marie Tran. In this attention grabbing,...
- 2/28/2025
- by Jordan King
- Empire - Movies
Star Wars: The Last Jedi star Kelly Marie Tran has an unrelenting itch in the first official trailer for Control Freak, a new Hulu original horror film.
Control Freak follows Valerie (Tran), a motivational speaker who "is tormented by an unrelenting itch on the back of her head", per the official synopsis. This sends Valerie on a journey to battle a parasitic demon from her homeland, bringing a fresh and thrilling perspective to the horror genre. Starring alongside Tran is Miles Robbins, who portrays Valerie's husband, Robbie, in the film. Control Freak also stars Callie Johnson, Kieu Chinh, and Zack Gold. Check out the first official trailer for Control Freak below.
RelatedKathleen Kennedy's Future With Star Wars Reportedly Revealed, Major Shakeup Expected This Year
The major company is experiencing some changes.
Control Freak was written and directed by Shal Ngo, best known for his work on The Park, The Box,...
Control Freak follows Valerie (Tran), a motivational speaker who "is tormented by an unrelenting itch on the back of her head", per the official synopsis. This sends Valerie on a journey to battle a parasitic demon from her homeland, bringing a fresh and thrilling perspective to the horror genre. Starring alongside Tran is Miles Robbins, who portrays Valerie's husband, Robbie, in the film. Control Freak also stars Callie Johnson, Kieu Chinh, and Zack Gold. Check out the first official trailer for Control Freak below.
RelatedKathleen Kennedy's Future With Star Wars Reportedly Revealed, Major Shakeup Expected This Year
The major company is experiencing some changes.
Control Freak was written and directed by Shal Ngo, best known for his work on The Park, The Box,...
- 2/28/2025
- by Adam Meilstrup
- CBR
Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 13 adds a wealth of guest stars, bringing back familiar faces and newcomers like Spencer Treat Clark, Callie Johnson, and Wesam Keesh.
The new episode of NBC's firefighter drama series, "Born of Fire," sees Violet Mikami helping a former medic she worked with whom she had past issues. Meanwhile, Sam Carver attends a support group to address his alcoholism while Kelly Severide and Stella Kid move forward with their adoption plans.
Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 13 premiered on NBC on February 19.
Read full article on The Direct.
The new episode of NBC's firefighter drama series, "Born of Fire," sees Violet Mikami helping a former medic she worked with whom she had past issues. Meanwhile, Sam Carver attends a support group to address his alcoholism while Kelly Severide and Stella Kid move forward with their adoption plans.
Chicago Fire Season 13, Episode 13 premiered on NBC on February 19.
Read full article on The Direct.
- 2/20/2025
- by Aeron Mer Eclarinal
- The Direct
Divorce in the Black is a thriller drama film written and directed by Tyler Perry. The Prime Video film follows the story of Ava, a young woman as he leaves her abusive husband and goes back to her parents. When she meets the one true love of her life again, her ex-husband begins stalking her and now she has to do everything legal and illegal to get away from him. Divorce in the Black stars Meagan Good in the lead role with Cory Hardrict, Richard Lawson, Debbi Morgan, Shannon Wallace, Taylor Polidore, and Rakeem Laws starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the thrilling story and intense characters in Divorce in the Black, here are some similar movies you could watch next.
Enough (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Sony Pictures
Enough is a thriller drama film directed by Michael Apted from a screenplay by Nicholas Kazan. Based on...
Enough (Netflix & Rent on Prime Video) Credit – Sony Pictures
Enough is a thriller drama film directed by Michael Apted from a screenplay by Nicholas Kazan. Based on...
- 7/12/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
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