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Characters & Themes

Some Freaks (2017) Characters, Setting & Themes Explained

Release, runtime and language
2017 · 97 min · English
Echo score 58
JustWatch #2,250 10
Directed by
Ian MacAllister McDonald
Starring
Marin Ireland, Thomas Mann, Devon Caraway, Adam Carbone, Cynthia Harrington, Elise Hudson

A high school senior with a physical difference finds an unexpected connection with a young woman, leading to a whirlwind romance. As they navigate their relationship, a significant change in her appearance tests the strength of their bond. He must then confront his own perceptions, while she questions whether his love is conditional, based on how she once looked. The film explores themes of acceptance, beauty, and the challenges of maintaining love through changing circumstances.

On this page (8)
  1. 1 Where to watch
  2. 2 Characters explained (4)
  3. 3 Where & when it takes place
  4. 4 Themes & meaning (3)
  5. 5 Character & meaning questions
  6. 6 Movie threads
  7. 7 Movies like Some Freaks
  8. 8 Every angle

Where to watch

Where to Watch Some Freaks (2017)

Where can you watch Some Freaks? Stream, rent or buy it in the US, including on Amazon Prime Video, Fandor and Philo: current JustWatch availability with up-to-date prices.

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4 main characters · contains spoilers

Some Freaks Characters Explained: Who Is Who

The main characters of Some Freaks (2017), heroes and villains: what drives them, how they change over the course of the story and what each of them reveals about the film's bigger ideas.

  • Jill

    played by Marin Ireland

    Jill is a punk rock enthusiast navigating her self-image and societal expectations. Initially weighed down by her size, she makes a significant lifestyle change, losing 50 pounds and becoming more confident yet exposed to new challenges. Her journey reflects the quest for self-acceptance amid peer pressures.

    • 🧑‍🎤 Punk
    • 💪 Transformation
  • Matt

    played by Thomas Mann

    Matt, despite being born with one eye, is a resilient character who initially finds solace in his friendship with Jill. His determination to improve his appearance by obtaining a prosthetic eye reveals his deep-seated insecurities and longing for acceptance, complicating his relationship with Jill.

    • 👁️‍🗨️ Resilience
    • 💔 Heartbreak
  • Elmo

    played by Devon Caraway

    Elmo is a quiet individual who hides a significant secret about his sexuality. His struggle for recognition in a relationship-centric narrative emphasizes the themes of isolation and the longing for friendship. As he observes the bond between Matt and Jill, he grapples with feelings of exclusion.

    • 🤐 Secrets
    • 🥺 Isolation
  • Patrick

    Patrick is portrayed as the charming golden boy of the school. His interest in Jill provides a contrasting perspective on relationships, as he represents both potential support and the complexities of male-female dynamics. However, his actions lead to moments of discomfort for Jill.

    • 🌟 Charisma
    • 👎 Discomfort

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:07

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Setting

Where and When Does Some Freaks Take Place?

The setting of Some Freaks (2017): the year and time period, the places and locations, and how they shape the characters, the mood and the tension of the story.

Time period

The events in the movie primarily take place during the characters' final year of high school and the subsequent months after graduation. This transitional period is marked by personal growth, friendship struggles, and the challenges of young adulthood.

Location

Benjamin Franklin High School, California

The story begins at Benjamin Franklin High School in Rhode Island, a typical American high school setting characterized by its diverse student body and unique social dynamics. After graduating, the narrative shifts to California, known for its vibrant culture and lifestyle changes, where Jill embarks on her journey of transformation.

  • 🏫 School
  • 🌴 California

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:07

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3 major themes

Some Freaks Meaning: Themes & Message Explained

What is Some Freaks (2017) really about? The emotional, social and philosophical themes the film keeps returning to, its symbolism and the message beneath the surface.

  • Friendship

    At its core, the film explores the complexity of friendship through the bonds formed among Jill, Matt, and Elmo. Their unique traits create a connection that is tested by jealousy and personal transformation, highlighting the struggle to maintain ties as circumstances change.

  • Transformation

    Transformation plays a major role as Jill and Matt both undergo significant changes—physically and emotionally. Jill's weight loss journey represents a quest for self-acceptance, while Matt's desire for a prosthetic eye symbolizes his struggle with identity and societal expectations.

  • Heartbreak

    The movie delves into the theme of heartbreak as Jill and Matt's relationship deteriorates due to their evolving identities. Their intense breakup serves as a poignant reminder that love can often fracture under the weight of personal insecurity and unfulfilled expectations.

Last updated: October 22, 2024 at 22:07

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Character & theme questions

Some Freaks Characters & Meaning: Your Questions Answered

The questions people ask about Some Freaks (2017): who the characters really are, their relationships, what the symbols mean, where it takes place and what the movie is really about. Each answer contains spoilers.

Q1

Where does the movie take place?

The story begins at Benjamin Franklin High School in Rhode Island, a typical American high school setting. After graduation, the narrative shifts to California, where Jill embarks on her transformation journey.

  • rhode island
  • california
  • high school
  • setting
  • location
Q2

What time period does the story cover?

The events primarily take place during the characters' final year of high school and the subsequent months after graduation, capturing a transitional period marked by personal growth and young adulthood.

  • high school
  • graduation
  • after graduation
  • timeline
  • young adulthood
Q3

What are the main themes explored in the film?

The movie explores three core themes: friendship among outsiders, transformation (both physical and emotional), and heartbreak. These themes interweave to examine how relationships change as people evolve.

  • friendship
  • transformation
  • heartbreak
  • themes
  • acceptance
Q4

How does the friendship between Jill, Matt, and Elmo work?

Jill, Matt, and Elmo form a connection due to their unique traits as outsiders. Their bond is tested by jealousy and personal transformation, highlighting the struggle to maintain friendships as circumstances change.

  • jill
  • matt
  • elmo
  • friendship
  • outsiders
  • trio
Q5

What does Jill's transformation represent in the story?

Jill's weight loss journey represents a quest for self-acceptance amid peer pressures. While she gains confidence, her transformation also exposes new challenges and complicates her relationship with Matt.

  • jill
  • weight loss
  • transformation
  • self-acceptance
  • confidence
Q6

Who is Matt and what is his struggle?

Matt was born with one eye and initially finds solace in his friendship with Jill. His desire for a prosthetic eye reveals his deep-seated insecurities and longing for societal acceptance, which complicates his relationship.

  • matt
  • one eye
  • prosthetic eye
  • physical difference
  • insecurity
Q7

What role does Elmo play in the story?

Elmo is a quiet character who hides his sexuality, emphasizing themes of isolation and longing for friendship. He observes the bond between Matt and Jill while grappling with feelings of exclusion.

  • elmo
  • sexuality
  • isolation
  • friendship
  • quiet character
Q8

What does the film say about conditional love?

The movie explores whether love is conditional based on appearance. When Jill changes physically, Matt must confront his own perceptions, while she questions whether his love was tied to how she once looked.

  • conditional love
  • appearance
  • acceptance
  • beauty
  • relationship
Q9

How does Some Freaks address beauty standards?

The film examines how societal beauty standards impact self-worth and relationships. Both Jill and Matt undergo changes seeking acceptance, raising questions about whether love should be conditioned on appearance.

  • beauty standards
  • appearance
  • self-worth
  • society
  • acceptance
Q10

Who is Patrick in the story?

Patrick is portrayed as the charming golden boy of the school. His interest in Jill provides a contrasting perspective on relationships, representing both potential support and the complexities of male-female dynamics.

  • patrick
  • golden boy
  • romance
  • high school dynamics
Q11

What is the overall tone of the movie?

The tone is predominantly bittersweet, charting a hopeful beginning and painful dissolution of a relationship between two outsiders. It deals seriously with themes of conditional love and societal pressure without being overwhelmingly heavy.

  • tone
  • bittersweet
  • emotional
  • romance
  • drama

Movie threads

More Movies Like Some Freaks, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes Some Freaks tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Bittersweet Coming-of-Age Romances like Some Freaks

First loves that bloom and fade, leaving marks of growth and heartache. If you liked the raw and hopeful yet painful romance in Some Freaks, you'll find similar stories here. These movies capture the specific feeling of teenage love stories that are beautifully bittersweet, focusing on character growth through relationships that shape but don't always last.

  • bittersweet
  • hopeful
  • painful
  • reflective
  • raw
  • intimate
  • Tone: bittersweet, hopeful, painful
  • Pacing: steady, character-driven
Why these movies?

The story pattern: Stories in this thread follow young characters as they discover love, often with fellow outsiders. The narrative arc typically involves a hopeful beginning, a deep connection that challenges their worldviews, and a climax where changing circumstances or personal growth lead to a separation that is sad yet meaningful, emphasizing the journey over the destination.

Why they belong together: These movies are grouped by their shared focus on the emotional realism of young love. They blend the hopefulness of new romance with the melancholy of its eventual end, creating a specific bittersweet tone. The pacing is character-driven, allowing the emotional weight of the relationship's evolution to resonate.

Uncomfortable Journeys of Self-Acceptance like Some Freaks

Stories where confronting your identity leads to painful but necessary growth. Movies like Some Freaks that explore the raw and challenging path to self-love. If you appreciated its honest look at body image, bullying, and transformation, you'll find similar films here about characters facing societal norms to find their own worth.

  • uncomfortable
  • raw
  • reflective
  • hopeful
  • tense
  • painful
  • Tone: raw, reflective, tense
  • Pacing: steady, intimate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The narrative pattern follows an outsider protagonist who endures judgment or hardship related to their identity. A catalyst—often a relationship or event—forces them to confront how they are perceived versus who they are. The conflict is internal and external, leading to a climax where they must choose between conformity and authenticity, resulting in a complex, earned sense of self.

Why they belong together: These films are united by their intimate, often uncomfortable examination of identity and acceptance. They share a raw, reflective mood and a steady pace that allows for deep character study. The emotional core is the tension between the pain of being different and the hope of finding belonging, either with others or within oneself.

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Every angle

Some Freaks (2017) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about Some Freaks in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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