Oakland in 1987. The air is thick with the smell of old video tapes, asphalt, and the sound of Too $hort rattling through car speakers. If you’ve seen the movie, you know it’s not just a film—it’s a vibe. But honestly, the cast of Freaky Tales film is what keeps this neon-soaked fever dream from flying off the rails. It’s a wild mix. You’ve got internet "daddy" Pedro Pascal, an actual NBA legend’s fictionalized counterpart, and the final on-screen performance of the late Angus Cloud.
It’s an anthology, so the stars don't just sit in one room. They collide. They bleed. Sometimes they literally explode. Let’s break down who’s who in this "mixtape" of a movie and why these specific casting choices made the 1980s Bay Area feel so alive.
The Heavy Hitters: Pedro Pascal and Ben Mendelsohn
You can’t talk about this movie without mentioning Pedro Pascal. He plays Clint. Clint is a debt collector—or maybe a hitman, depending on how you view his "business"—who is desperately trying to go straight. Pascal brings that weary, "I’m too old for this" energy that he’s perfected in The Last of Us, but with a grittier, 1980s street-level edge. His story, "Born to Mack," is basically a classic noir tragedy wrapped in a tracksuite.
Then there’s Ben Mendelsohn. He’s credited simply as "The Guy." Mendelsohn is arguably the king of playing sophisticated creeps, and here he plays a corrupt Oakland cop who is basically the puppet master behind half the chaos in the city. He’s nasty. He’s oily. He’s exactly the kind of villain you want to see get what’s coming to him.
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The Danger Zone Duo: Normani and Dominique Thorne
For a lot of people, the highlight was seeing Normani make her film debut as Entice. Alongside Dominique Thorne (who you probably recognize as Ironheart from the MCU) as Barbie, they form the rap duo Danger Zone.
- Entice (Normani): She’s the heart of the "Don't Fight the Feeling" segment. Seeing her battle-rap a fictionalized version of Too $hort (played by DeMario Symba Driver) is peak cinema.
- Barbie (Dominique Thorne): She brings a fierce, no-nonsense attitude to the screen.
The chemistry between them feels real. They’re working at an ice cream parlor by day and trying to dominate the hip-hop scene by night. It’s a classic underdog story, until, well, the bus they’re on gets hit by lightning and starts flying. Yeah, it gets weird.
Jay Ellis as a Katana-Wielding Sleepy Floyd
This is where the movie goes from "period piece" to "full-blown insanity." Jay Ellis (from Insecure) plays Sleepy Floyd. Now, Sleepy Floyd is a real person—a Golden State Warriors legend. But in this movie, he isn't just a basketball player.
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When a gang of neo-Nazis attacks his family, Ellis’s Floyd turns into a supernatural martial arts warrior. We’re talking secret weapon rooms, Japanese relics, and a black leather trench coat that screams 80s action hero. It’s the kind of role that sounds ridiculous on paper but Jay Ellis sells it with 100% conviction. Watching him meditate while the "The Guy’s" head literally explodes due to Floyd’s mind powers? That’s something you don’t see every day.
The Punks and the Villains: Angus Cloud’s Final Turn
The "Strength in Numbers" segment features the younger side of the cast of Freaky Tales film. Ji-young Yoo (Tina) and Jack Champion (Lucid) lead a group of teen punks who decide they’ve had enough of being bullied by skinheads.
It’s bittersweet to see the late Angus Cloud as Travis. He plays the leader of the Nazi gang, and honestly, it’s a total 180 from his lovable character in Euphoria. He’s menacing and cold. Knowing this was one of his final roles adds a layer of weight to every scene he’s in. He had finished filming his parts before his passing in 2023, and the movie stands as a testament to his range.
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That "Wait, Was That...?" Tom Hanks Cameo
Everyone lost their minds when Tom Hanks showed up. He plays "Hank," a video store owner. It’s a small role, but he shares a scene with Pedro Pascal that feels like a passing of the torch. They talk about "underdog movies," which is meta because that’s exactly what Freaky Tales is trying to be. It’s a small, quirky moment that reminds you directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck have some serious industry pull (they did direct Captain Marvel, after all).
Why the Casting Works (And What It Means for You)
The reason this movie feels so authentic—despite the flying buses and exploding heads—is that the actors actually look like they belong in 1987 Oakland. The hair, the attitudes, the "hella" slang; it’s all there.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of this film or the actors involved, here is how you can actually engage with this piece of Oakland history:
- Watch the actual Sleepy Floyd highlights: To appreciate Jay Ellis’s performance, go back and watch Floyd’s 1987 playoff game where he scored 51 points against the Lakers. It’s the energy Ellis is channeling.
- Listen to the Soundtrack: Raphael Saadiq did the music. It’s essential listening if you want to understand the rhythm of the film.
- Follow the Rising Stars: Keep an eye on Ji-young Yoo and Dominique Thorne. Their performances here prove they are going to be carrying the industry for the next decade.
The film is a love letter to a specific time and place. Whether you’re there for the Pedro Pascal "daddy" energy or the nostalgia of 80s rap, the cast of Freaky Tales film delivers a performance that’s way more than just a typical anthology. It’s gritty, it’s loud, and it’s unapologetically Oakland.
To get the most out of your next viewing, pay close attention to the background cameos—even Too $hort himself (the real one) shows up as a narrator and partner to Ben Mendelsohn’s character. It’s a full-circle moment for Bay Area culture.