Even though the cover of Control Freak looks like a cheap SYFY movie, I was intrigued because it was tagged as body horror, and the ambiguous description gave me hope that it would be something special. The film's low ratings prepared me to lower my expectations, but I gave it a try nonetheless.
The story follows Valerie, a successful motivational speaker who becomes tormented by an unrelenting itch on the back of her head, causing her life to spiral out of control.
Visually, the movie is well-made, with strong cinematography and decent performances, though the acting felt uneven at times. Unfortunately, the story itself falls flat over its 100-minute runtime. Control Freak is apparently based on a short film, which I haven't seen, but I imagine the concept worked much better in a shorter format. The premise-where a protagonist is tormented by something unknown, leaving the audience to wonder whether it's psychological or supernatural-isn't exactly new. The only unique angle here is that the lead is a motivational speaker, which fits well with the movie's overarching metaphor.
The film did succeed in making me feel itchy and uncomfortable, especially with Valerie's constant scratching and the unsettling imagery of ants crawling around. I also genuinely enjoyed the third act, though the movie never really built up enough momentum for me to stay fully invested in Valerie's struggle.
If you have Hulu or another streaming service where you can watch this without paying extra, it might be worth a try. However, I wouldn't recommend spending money on it, as it doesn't offer enough to stand out. The pacing drags, and the narrative lacks originality, but it remains a watchable film with both its strengths and flaws. [5,4/10]
