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When times get stressful, it can sometimes have troubling effects. Someone who’s dealing with extreme stress may lose sleep, start stress eating, or experience nervous tics. But in the Hulu Original Control Freak, a young woman’s dangerous habit could be caused by something more sinister.
Control Freak stars Kelly Marie Tran as Valerie Nguyen, a motivational speaker who’s preparing for an important international tour. But as the tour gets closer, she finds herself scratching more and more at a persistent itch on the back of her head. When she finally calls her doctor, he worries that it could be more than just an itch—it could be a psychological condition that’s somehow connected to her troubled family history. And the more she looks into her own family’s past, she begins to fear that there could be something darker at play.
Though Val tries to keep working and preparing for her tour—hiding her growing concerns from her staff and even her husband—it’s clear that something about her is slowly crumbling. And when her estranged father suggests that she’s been cursed by an ancient enemy—a hungry parasite that’s taken control of her—the story takes a dark and disturbing tone. As Val continues to search for a logical explanation for the constant itching, viewers won’t know what’s real and what’s not. It is a real condition or a demon? Maybe it’s just a nightmare...a hallucination...or just something created by Val’s growing anxiety.
While Val is surrounded by supporting characters—from staff to family members—everything here revolves around her. Kelly Marie Tran gives a solid performance as this tormented woman who’s helped so many people, only to find herself unable to help herself. She’s haunted and troubled, her growing concerns spiraling into something intense and terrifying.
In the end, not all of the pieces fit together perfectly—and viewers may be left with some questions. But the terrifying imagery and constantly-building suspense of this haunting thriller—along with a strong lead performance—work together to make it a film that’s sure to keep viewers on edge until the end.
If you’re someone who likes to unwind from a stressful day with something dark and disturbing, Control Freak is a good pick for your at-home viewing this weekend. Be warned, though, that you may end up with nightmares about bugs—and you’ll most likely be itching for days after you watch it.
You can join Val’s battle when Control Freak arrives on Hulu on March 13, 2025.
Listen to the review on Reel Discovery:
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