This Friday, The Film Buff dives into Control Freak, the latest Hulu release that signals the rise of a bold new direction in horror. But what exactly is this emerging genre? Why does it matter? And most importantly, why should you experience this film for yourself? Join us as we break down the film’s chilling themes, its genre-defining impact, and why Control Freak is a must-watch for horror fans.

Those who broughht is Control Freak

Cast

Kelly Marie Tran – Val

Kieu Chinh – Aunt Thuy

Scott Takeda – Dr. Chen

Callie Johnson – Crystal

Miles Robbins – Robbie

Zack Gold – Mason

Apollo Bacala – Abbot Monk

Chelsea Parsons – Rachel

Chrissy Morgan – Film Crew

Christina Pope – Makeup Artist to Motivational Speaker

Ian Choi – Dying Vietnamese Boy

Joshua Henry – Monk

Justin Piaoan – Young Sang

Mikah Fikes – Film Crew

Milton Saul – Security Guard

Noel Morales – Photographer

Nova Mai Murillo – Young Val

Samantha Coppola – Ashley

Stanley White Jr. – Sanshi

Steven Hudson – Monk

Toan Le – Sang

Vincent Dean – Audience Member

Crew

Shal Ngo – Writer, Director

Arbi Pedrossian – Producer

David Brooks – Producer

Hatuey Rodriguez – Producer

Jenna Cavelle – Producer

Miles Alva – Executive Producer

Shaum S. Sengupta – Producer

More about Control Freak

‘Control Freak’ (2025): A Chilling Descent into Supernatural Terror

Hulu’s Control Freak (2025), directed by Shal Ngo, is a gripping psychological horror film that blends the terror of demonic possession with the high-stakes world of self-help culture. Starring Kelly Marie Tran as Val, a successful yet troubled motivational speaker, the film follows her downward spiral after she becomes infected with a malevolent parasitic entity from her ancestral homeland.

As Val’s once-perfect life unravels, her struggle to maintain control mirrors the sinister force overtaking her mind and body. With a career built on self-empowerment, she faces the ultimate test: can she conquer a force that thrives on fear and insecurity? The film’s tense atmosphere, combined with Ngo’s sharp direction, crafts an unnerving portrait of ambition, identity, and the dark forces that lurk beneath the surface.

With a supporting cast including Kieu Chinh, Scott Takeda, and Miles Robbins, Control Freak delivers a harrowing journey into the supernatural, pushing the boundaries of psychological horror. The film is set to premiere on Hulu on March 13, 2025, marking one of the streamer’s most anticipated horror releases of the yea

More about the Kelly Marie Tran Star Wars Drama

The Kelly Marie Tran Star Wars controversy stemmed from the intense online harassment she faced after her role as Rose Tico in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). Tran, the first Asian woman to have a leading role in the Star Wars franchise, was targeted with racist and sexist abuse by a subset of fans who disliked her character. The harassment became so severe that she eventually deleted her social media accounts and withdrew from the public eye.

In response to the bullying, Tran wrote a powerful essay for The New York Times, stating that she had internalized the negativity and began to believe the racist narratives directed at her. She later compared the experience to an "embarrassingly horrible breakup" and spoke about how therapy helped her reclaim her self-worth. Many industry figures, including Mark Hamill and director Rian Johnson, defended her against the online trolls, but the backlash still affected her career, as her character's screen time was significantly reduced in The Rise of Skywalker (2019)​