The Indiana Memorial Union Board premiered the film “Freaky,” scheduled to be released Nov. 13, at 10 p.m. Nov. 6 at the Whittenberger Auditorium.
The film stars “The Society” actress Katheryn Newton; Hollywood A-lister Vince Vaughn; and Hollywood up-and-comers Uriah Shelton, Misha Osherovich and Celeste O'Connor.
“Freaky” centers around a high school senior, Millie Kessler, played by Newton, who tries to survive her senior year of high school with the help of her friends. But Blissfield Butcher, a rampant serial killer, targets Millie as his next victim. Butcher incorrectly stabs Millie on the shoulder instead of her chest which causes them to switch bodies.
Christopher Landon, the director of former hits such as “Happy Death Day” and “Paranormal Activity,” is the creator of this film. According to the Hollywood Reporter, the film’s premise serves as a nod to other Hollywood favorites such as “Freaky Friday” and “The Hot Chick.”
The IU Union Board organized a screening of “Freaky” before its release date at the Whittenberger Auditorium. The screening of the film was sold out by Friday.
The Union Board made sure to screen movies and organize events while implementing safety precautions, such as social distancing and mask mandates, due to the pandemic.
IU sophomore Grace Schuette attended the screening Friday and had positive things to say about the film after watching.
“It was a really fun movie,” Schuette said. It’s a lot like ‘Happy Death Day’ so if you guys liked that then I would definitely recommend seeing ‘Freaky.’”
IU Union Board collaborated with NBC Universal Pictures to make this screening happen. “Freaky” is an example of sneak screenings the IU Union Board shows regularly. These events offer screenings of major motion picture films that have not been released to the general public yet.
Logan Mulvaney, one of the directors of films for the Union Board, explained the process behind holding sneak screenings.
“For the sneaks, we actually have to go through the production companies,” Mulvaney said. “We actually got the sneak of ‘Freaky’ through Universal Pictures. We have a rep that we get that sorted out with.”
NBC Universal came to the Union Board with “Freaky” and offered the film for the Union Board to host as a sneak.
Tamar Sher, IU senior and marketing intern for NBC Universal Pictures, shares some insight into how “Freaky” was selected for the advance screening at the IMU.
“Universal Pictures and the Union Board have always had a good relationship,” Sher said.
Along with her superiors who work at NBC Universal, Sher coordinated with the Union Board to get an advance screening of the film. Sher is responsible for promoting the advance screenings and reaching out to sources to get coverage on the screenings.
“Freaky” will officially be released in theaters Friday. For future updates on Union Board Screenings, visit the Union Board’s events page.
