If you’re looking for a movie that’s equal parts nostalgic trip and wild ride, Freaky Tales delivers. Set in 1987 Oakland, this four-part anthology weaves together raw punk shows, fierce rap battles, crime drama and even supernatural martial arts. Somehow, it’s all tied together by a mysterious neon-green energy that pulses through the city’s underground. You’ll witness the iconic punk fight at 924 Gilman, the rap duo Danger Zone going head-to-head with Too Short and NBA legend Sleepy Floyd taking on neo-Nazi villains with otherworldly powers. It’s a bold mix of real Bay Area history and out-there fantasy that celebrates the city’s rebellious spirit in a way you’ve never seen before.
You can catchFreaky Tales streaming now on HBO Max. It’s perfect for those who want something fresh, gritty and unapologetically stylized. Whether you’re into cult classics, ’80s vibes or stories that mix fact and fiction, this one’s worth a watch.
The real story behind ‘Freaky Tales’
Freaky Tales is rooted in real, iconic moments from 1980s Oakland, but it’s dramatically fictionalized and heightened through genre-bending fantasy. It’s more of a mythic tribute than a documentary. For example, the brawl depicted on-screen, which sees neo-Nazi skinheads attacking a punk show, leading to a violent face-off outside 924 Gilman, actually happened on May 17, 1987. At the time, a security guard, based on George Stephens (“George Hated”), intervened. In response, punks, including band members like Dave Dictor of MDC, joined the fight.
Meanwhile, the female rap duo Danger Zone (made up of cousins Tamra Goins and Bailey Brown) recorded the diss track “Don’t Fight the Feelin’” with Too Short. The public rap showdown in the film is dramatized, but the track and tension are authentic. In game four of the 1987 NBA Playoffs, Warriors star Eric “Sleepy” Floyd scored 29 points in the fourth quarter, setting an all-time postseason record. That explosive performance is real…