Freaky is a bloody mixture of horror comedy sensibilities that pays homage to its '80s slasher movie roots, and punctuates this not only by using numerous Easter eggs and references, but by dedicating what is arguably its best kill to a hated sequel in the Friday the 13th franchise.
Christopher Landon burst onto the scene and made his mark on the horror genre in 2017 with Happy Death Day, another film produced under the Blumhouse Productions mantle. In 2019, its sequel, Happy Death Day 2U released. Though some might consider Freaky to be more of the same—and it does exist within the same universe—Landon's 2020 horror/comedy does hit some of the same notes as the Happy Death Day movies, but projects a new heroine, Millie Kessler (Kathryn Newton) into the spotlight. However, instead of Tree's continual deaths and time loop, Millie ends up saving the day wearing the face (and body) of the serial killer, known as the Blissfield Butcher (Vince Vaughn) after they swap bodies due to the curse of a mystical dagger.
Released theatrically on November 13, 2020, Freaky emphatically professes itself as being connected to Friday the 13th in tone, release date, and masked juggernaut of a killer via the 6'5" Vaughn. Though Landon's movie is more heartwarming than the '80s slasher franchise by a long shot, there are many elements of the beloved series that make their way into the narrative in subtle—and sometimes very unsubtle—ways. Another way Freaky feels tethered through the Friday the 13th franchise is by acknowledging one of its most-hated sequels, Jason X, through its best kill — a cryogenically frozen teenage girl who gets smashed on the locker room floor. While it's not a direct, shot-for-shot replica of the now-iconic liquid nitrogen kill, it's instantly recognizable as an Easter egg that shows not all sequels are created equal, but there are still things to love about them even when they fall into "so bad, it's good" territory.
In Jason X, the liquid nitrogen kill is sharp, quick, and simple — Jason attacks one of the spaceship's passengers and dunks her head into a tank of liquid nitrogen, then smashes it onto a table once it's completely frozen solid. However, before this, Jason himself gets frozen in a cryogenic tank. This is how he manages to be preserved for many years until he's later discovered and taken into space for research to be conducted on his (theoretically) dead body. Jason even manages to be lethal in his frozen state; he falls forward and his machete slices through a bystander's arm, cutting it off completely. Though he does get defrosted eventually—and receives a lethal upgrade—Freaky honors both of these elements of the movie.
After the body swap takes place, the Butcher (as Millie) carries on an awkward conversation with one of her classmates—a stereotypical "mean girl"—in the girls' locker room. Millie shrugs off the accusation that she's a lesbian, but later corners the girl and traps her in a conveniently placed cryotherapy tank. Cryotherapy is a health trend that uses full body exposure to liquid nitrogen—done under supervision and for brief intervals of time—to treat numerous health issues. Cryotherapy is said to produce effects that range from alleviation of anxiety and depression to boosting metabolism and even easing joint pain and muscle strain. It makes sense that a wealthy school might have access to cryotherapy tanks—likely for student athletes—but it ends up being used to dispatch Millie's bully.
The Butcher shoves the girl into the cryotherapy tank and turns the temperature down to dangerous levels, then secures her inside. After she's frozen solid—with her phone still in hand—the tank is opened and she falls out, smashing to pieces on the floor. This scene in Freaky reflects how Jason was released from the tank in the beginning of Jason X and is a fun callback to the liquid nitrogen face smash in the same breath. For extra points, it's the stark opposite to the iconic tanning bed kill in Final Destination 3.
