Control Freak (2025) Movie Review – Where to Watch Online
Horror enthusiasts, get ready for an unsettling psychological ride with Control Freak (2025), a Hulu Original directed and written by Shal Ngo. This psychological body horror film follows Valerie (Kelly Marie Tran), a successful motivational speaker whose life begins to unravel when she develops an obsessive and painful itch on her scalp. What starts as a minor irritation quickly spirals into a terrifying battle with a parasitic demon linked to her past. But does Control Freak succeed as a feature-length adaptation of its short film predecessor, or does it struggle to maintain momentum?
In this in-depth review, we’ll analyze the film’s strengths and weaknesses, explore its deeper themes, and guide you on where to watch Control Freak online.
Plot Summary
Valerie is at the peak of her career, inspiring thousands with her self-help books and seminars. However, behind her seemingly perfect life lies a history of unresolved trauma. As she prepares for a major tour, an unrelenting itch begins to take over her mind. What starts as an innocent scratch soon transforms into a horrifying obsession, triggering grotesque body horror moments and psychological distress.
Her husband, Robbie (Miles Robbins), struggles to understand her growing paranoia, dismissing her fears as irrational. But as Valerie’s condition worsens, the boundaries between reality and nightmare blur. The sinister force haunting her might not just be in her head—it could be something far darker and more ancient, connected to a parasitic demon from her homeland.
The Strengths: What Control Freak Does Right
1. Kelly Marie Tran’s Standout Performance
Kelly Marie Tran delivers an emotionally raw and deeply unsettling performance. She perfectly captures Valerie’s descent into madness, making the audience feel every ounce of her pain and desperation. Her portrayal elevates the film, adding layers of depth and vulnerability that keep the viewer engaged. Without her gripping performance, Control Freak might not have left such a lasting impact.
2. Unsettling Sound Design and Body Horror
The film’s use of sound is particularly effective. The constant scratching noise is grating, almost unbearable—intentionally so. It gets under your skin (pun intended), making you feel Valerie’s distress on a visceral level. Combined with grotesque body horror elements, the film successfully creates an atmosphere of discomfort and psychological terror.
3. Deep Psychological and Cultural Themes
At its core, Control Freak is more than just a horror movie. It cleverly intertwines themes of mental illness, generational trauma, and cultural identity. The film’s demon, which manifests as a parasite, serves as a metaphor for Valerie’s anxiety and OCD. The story also touches on the struggles of assimilation, self-identity, and familial expectations, particularly in immigrant families.
The Weaknesses: Where Control Freak Stumbles
1. Uneven Pacing and Repetitive Scenes
While the movie starts strong, its pacing falters in the middle. Certain scenes drag on longer than necessary, making the story feel stretched. What could have been a tightly packed psychological horror instead becomes a slow-burn thriller that doesn’t always justify its runtime.
2. Unexplored Narrative Threads
The film introduces intriguing ideas—such as Valerie’s connection to folklore, her family history, and her strained relationships—but fails to fully explore them. Instead, it leans too heavily on ambiguity, leaving audiences with more questions than answers. While some ambiguity can be effective in horror, Control Freak sometimes overdoes it, preventing emotional moments from landing with full impact.
3. Underdeveloped Side Characters
Miles Robbins’ character, Robbie, feels like a missed opportunity. He serves mainly as a dismissive skeptic, repeatedly telling Valerie she’s imagining things. His lack of depth weakens the film’s emotional stakes, making it harder to fully invest in their relationship.
Final Verdict: Should You Watch Control Freak?
Control Freak is a fascinating yet flawed horror film. It offers intense psychological horror, powerful performances, and deeply unsettling sound design. However, it struggles with pacing issues and underdeveloped subplots.
For fans of body horror and psychological thrillers like Black Swan, The Babadook, and Saint Maud, Control Freak is worth a watch—especially for Kelly Marie Tran’s exceptional performance. Just be prepared for a slow burn that doesn’t always pay off.
Where to Watch Control Freak (2025) Online
Currently, Control Freak is available for streaming exclusively on Hulu in the United States. You can watch it here.
If you’re outside the U.S., consider using a VPN to access Hulu or check local streaming platforms for availability.
What do you think of Control Freak? Let us know in the comments!
