User reviews

John Balazs' Freelance is a remarkable achievement in independent filmmaking-a bold, stylish, and deeply atmospheric psychological thriller. As someone who understands the challenges of indie productions, it's inspiring to see a film so meticulously crafted, with no evidence of the usual budget-driven compromises in production or performance. Instead, Freelance feels highly polished, confidently standing among psychological thrillers while carving out its own unique identity.

At the centre of this film is Nicole Pastor's unforgettable performance as Katie, a video editor whose descent into obsession and paranoia is as mesmerising as it is chilling. Nicole brings incredible nuance to the role, layering her performance with subtle touches that mirror Katie's unraveling state of mind. Even small details-like Katie's haircut, symbolising her fractured psyche-feel deliberate and poignant. What impressed me most was Nicole's ability to navigate Katie's slow descent, sprinkling in moments of vulnerability and obsession before plunging the audience into the chaos of her madness.

The film is also a testament to the creative vision of John Balazs. The cinematography, lighting, and sound design create a palpable tension throughout, pulling the audience deeper into Katie's fractured world. Influences like David Fincher's precision and the vivid stylisation of The Neon Demon can be felt, yet Freelance maintains its own voice, refusing to feel derivative.

Independent filmmaking is often a delicate balancing act, with limited resources making it difficult to achieve the full scope of a director's vision. But with Freelance, John Balazs and his team have crafted a film that feels rich, cohesive, and uncompromising in its ambition. Huge congratulations to Nicole, John, and the entire cast and crew for creating something truly special. It's a reminder of what's possible when passion and talent converge-and I, for one, can't wait to see what comes next from this team.

Freelance is an indie gem waiting to be unearthed, with a standout lead performance and a confident director at the helm.

It's a dark, suspenseful thriller, with moments of genuine unease and alarm, as a video editor goes down a grim path when she accepts a mysterious new job opportunity - cutting snuff films.

The corruption of the protagonist, Katie, has echoes of Toby Jones' Gilderoy in the Peter Strickland's excellent film Berberian Sound Studio, in which a foley artist gets hired to create a soundscape for a Giallo film.

Mike Gerbino's tense script is masterfully transplanted to Melbourne by director John Belazs, who's love of the material is evident in his assured, sharp direction.

Katie was a compelling lead, and Nicole Pastor's performance was the film's standout rough around the edges, and authentic, and again - just a terrific anchor performance that gave the other actors, as well as the cinematography and direction, a solid foundation. She was relatable, even if her choices became more and more disquieting as she was sucked into the rabbit hole of snuff films. Pastor's performance richly portrays the slow, crushing degradation the events of the film has on Katie, as layer upon layer of her character's soul is peeled away and her desperation becomes all the more vivid.

Here, a small cast was an advantage, adding the growing claustrophobia of Katie's world. The times she does venture out beyond her close circle there's not much help to be found. Supporting actor Jordan Fraser-Trumble had a key role, and gave a stellar performance, ensuring one of the film's most important moments has the weight it deserves.

The plot was always engaging as it delved into a dark subject matter. There were twists and reveals, and a great scene towards the finale reminiscent of the basement scene in Fincher's The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

The film has a gritty, grounded quality that was grungy and potent, with costumes, sets and locations that felt genuinely lived-in. Melbourne itself became a character, the four walls of Katie's apartment felt constricting as the film went on.

David Chan's cinematography was tight and engaging, handling moments of stark silhouettes to scenes where colours popped with consummate ease. Many horror/thriller films can lean too much into a dark, desaturated look, it was refreshing for a psychological thriller to embrace colour at the right moments. The use of focus shifting too was particularly effective.

Freelance takes its audience on an unsettling journey, thanks to razor-sharp direction and a hauntingly raw performance by Nicole Pastor, it's a slow-burn thriller that transforms its low-budget constraints into an asset, creating a claustrophobic world that feels all too real. A must-watch for indie lovers or those looking for psychological horror with a dash of spice.

"Mind-blowing performances from the cast of Freelance had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish! This indie film is a game-changer, delivering a thrilling ride that will keep you guessing and leave you breathless. Nicole Pastor's talent on display is simply stunning creating a character on edge throughout the movie a truly unforgettable performance.

With its razor-sharp writing and the awesome direction Dr p of John Balazs Freelance is hands-down the best indie film I've seen in ages. Don't miss out on this hidden gem - seek it out and witness greatness. Do yourself a favor and go watch it!

*Rating:* 10/10.

Freelance was truly engaging from start to finish. The performances were outstanding, Nicole got lost inside her character, I found myself caring for her and she carried the film with ease. Jordan was brilliant and had amazing chemistry with Nicole. And Jasper always Excels in every role he takes on.

It reminded me of 8mm and even the V/H/S series. I appreciated the dark themes, even when they made me feel uncomfortable; it made the experience all the more impactful. Superb direction from John, look forward to seeing what he does next.

It makes you really excited about the future of Aussie films! We need more of this, people who genuinely care about the art.

As i witnessed the opening credits unfold i felt a shiver of excitement and knew i was about to embark on a thrilling ride, and boy was i right!

With its intiricate plot, mind-bending twists, and gripping action, Freelance will have you on the edge of your seat from the very start, to the very end. Just when you think you have pieced together the puzzle another suprise will throw you off guard. This film skillfully crafts tension, speculation, and deception all whilst maintaining a thrilling ride. Its spread with the right amount of dark humour. Freelance is definitely thought provoking and had me thinking long after the end credits roll!

The cast delivered an outstanding perfomance, making it very easy to empathize with the characters struggle. The portrayal of each character is captivating and compelling.

Overall the cast and crew have crafted an absolute masterpiece of captivating storytelling drawing the audience into a world of online deception and danger

I will definitely be recommending this movie with everyone i know!

From the minute the opening credits appear in such a creative fashion, you know you are in for an experience. The plot is thought provoking, terrifying and laced with dark humour in between. It also provides a taste of the possibilities and the disturbing nature of the dark web. A notable debut performance by Nicole Paster, but to me, the stand out performance was definitely Jordan Fraser-Trumble who seemed to effortlessly portray a character with multiple layers.

At times reminiscent of a Black Mirror episode, Director John Balazs takes viewers through a series of moral dilemmas, posing the ultimate question "how far are you prepared to go for money or those you care for?" Certainly, a psychological thriller, which will have you questioning reality and the imagined. With Freelance, nothing is what it seems.

Freelance: A Masterful Exploration of Darkness Freelance is a chilling masterpiece that delves deep into the darkest corners of the human psyche. Nicole Pastor delivers a tour-de-force performance as Katie, a woman trapped in a morally ambiguous world of violence and exploitation.

The film's exploration of themes such as morality, obsession, and the psychological toll of violence is both thought-provoking and disturbing.

The cinematography is stunning, creating a sense of unease and claustrophobia that perfectly complements the film's unsettling subject matter. The editing is precise, building tension and suspense throughout the film. Freelance is a must-see for fans of psychological thrillers and anyone seeking a truly unforgettable cinematic experience.

Freelance is an expertly crafted thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout. From the first scene to the credits, the film maintains a level of suspense that is hard to come by these days. What truly stands out, though, is Nicole Pastor's amazing performance as Katie. She embodies her character with such depth and intensity that you feel completely immersed in her world. Every choice she makes feels authentic, and her journey is both captivating and emotionally charged. The film as a whole reminded me of a Steven Soderbergh movie. The combination of high-stakes action, psychological tension, and exceptional performances makes Freelance a must-watch. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a well-executed thriller.

Most horror movies bore me but this one was very enjoyable! It starts off kind of basic, the usual ingredients of a horror flick but then it changes up in a way I did not expect. I'm a video editor as well and of not savory content so it left me kind of spooked after! Great acting, the pace is pretty good though it could have been a wee quicker. Loved the unexpected twists and the ethical dilemmas Katie faced. It really makes you think what you would do in the same situation. I guess I still need 100 characters so let me write some things to fill the rest of this space, I think we're there, yep.

Such a gripping thriller that keeps you glued to the screen! This thriller is a total must-watch! It grabs your attention from the start and keeps you hooked with its suspenseful plot and unexpected twists. The writing is clever without overcomplicating, and the story flows really well. The direction is spot-on, building tension in every scene, and the cast does an amazing job bringing the characters to life. It's intense without being over the top, and every twist keeps you guessing. If you're looking for a film that's both entertaining and full of surprises, this one won't disappoint! Highly recommend!