Freaks Out

A powerful electricity-user who can fry or energize with a touch. She is the hopeful linchpin of the group, trusting Israel’s plan and fighting to control her volatile gift. Her past trauma—unintentionally killing her mother—haunts her and fuels her fear of failure, even as she grows into a decisive force in their escape.

An albino boy who can command insects, bringing an eerie, tactical edge to the quartet. He remains loyal and pragmatic, using his abilities to aid escapes and mislead pursuers. In the harsh world of the Zircus, Cencio’s resilience is a quiet counterpoint to the louder battles around him.

A 'man-beast' with hypertrichosis, giving him extraordinary strength but marking him as a target of cruelty. He often acts as the group's physical shield, yet his tenderness and loyalty show through in moments of vulnerability. His struggle against torture reflects the broader brutality of the regime.

A dwarf with the ability to manipulate metal, whose playful, trusting nature helps balance the group’s tension. He uses his power in moments of crisis to aid in escapes and obstacle removal. His presence emphasizes how capability and innocence can coexist under oppression.

The owner of Circus Mezzapiotta, a Jew who hopes to take the quartet to America for safety. He disappears after collecting their savings, triggering a scramble that drives the group into new directions. His fate underscores the peril that pervades every decision in wartime Italy.

A German pianist with six fingers on each hand who wields clairvoyant powers. He believes he foresees a future in which the freaks will save the Reich, and he uses that vision to assemble them at the Zircus. Franz orchestrates torture and spectacle to bend others to his will.

Franz’s brother, whose identity becomes a tool in Franz’s plans—Franz ultimately kills Amon and assumes his role. Amon’s presence embodies the personal costs and deception behind the regime’s ominous grandeur.

Franz’s fiancée, whose death during the confrontation punctuates the cost of power and ambition. Watching her lover fail and then confront his own vision marks a turning point in the narrative. Her fate is a catalyst for Franz’s final reckoning and the freaks’ resolve.

A partisan who informs Matilde about the true purpose of the Zircus. He acts as a guide through the maze of resistance and danger, helping the foursome connect with their mission. His loyalty to the cause emphasizes the broader anti-fascist network.

Leader of a shabby band of partisans who aids Matilde in escaping danger. He embodies the improvisational courage of ordinary fighters against the Nazis. His presence anchors the resistance within the larger evacuation plot.