Steven Kostanski, that enterprising conjurer of horror films, has made a name for himself with indie outings like “The Void” and “Psycho Goreman.” However, contrary to popular belief, he doesn’t possess a crystal ball to predict the next trendy horror phenomenon. Apparently, his visions are tinged with the extraordinary—like little puppets wreaking havoc.
“For years, I’ve been trying to convince others to hop on the puppet horror train,” he laments. “Imagine adorable little puppets causing chaos—who wouldn’t want that? But alas, the response has been disheartening: ‘Oh dear, there’s no market for that!’ They’ll eagerly chat about the zombie renaissance while the cunning gremlins watch in disappointment from the sidelines.”
Who needs market research when you have passion? Ignoring the naysayers, Kostanski rolled up his sleeves to develop “Frankie Freako,” a delightful homage to ’80s creature features. Set to debut on October 4 via Shout! Studios, the film narrates the tale of Conor, played by Conor Sweeney, an uptight businessman whose charm could use a makeover. Enter Frankie Freako—voiced by Matthew Kennedy—a puppet who arrives to throw a party that spirals into intergalactic chaos. Think “Animal House,” but with more fluff and less sobriety.
Courtesy Everett Collection
The film encapsulates the soul of the ’80s—think neon colors and questionable fashion choices. Kostanski revealed an unexpected source of inspiration: Brian De Palma, renowned for his cinematic masterpieces about obsession and voyeurism. “We thought, what if ‘Body Double’ collided with a puppet zoo?” he quips. Apparently, the aesthetics of low-budget creature features have evolved into an art form, or at least that’s how Kostanski sells it.
However, the pièce de résistance in this delightful chaos is the Freakos themselves. With a budget of CA$50,000 and eight frantic weeks to create a multitude of puppets, Kostanski was prepared to embrace the art of improvisation. “I entered knowing we were seriously budget-challenged. It was like a scavenger hunt, but instead of finding treasure, we rallied resources,” he joked. Major kudos to his team for making magic out of thin air—or, at the very least, thin budget sheets.
Despite navigating a sea of puppetry deadlines and financial constraints, Kostanski envisions a sequel. With a little added “me” time. “Now that we’ve cracked the puppet code, the next installment should be a breeze. Maybe ‘Freakos Go to Hawaii’? Picture this: we shoot for a week, followed by three weeks of sipping cocktails on the beach. It’s not the sequel everyone wants, but it’s certainly what our tired bones deserve,” he chuckled.
So, gear up to witness the spectacle that is “Frankie Freako.” If nothing else, you’ll come to appreciate the art of the behind-the-scenes chaos that birthed a bizarre puppet haze.
