It’s been a number of weeks since I watched Freaky Tales after the 2025 film joined the checklist of recent and up to date motion pictures streaming, and there’s one thing I’m nonetheless occupied with. No, it’s not the truth that nobody appears to be speaking concerning the Pedro Pascal film or the film’s stunning quantity of violence. As an alternative, it’s all about that random Tom Hanks look partway by way of this blood-soaked anthology movie.
This quick but unforgettable scene, which legitimately caught me without warning, will not be probably the most consequential of this 2025 motion flick that everybody ought to be watching, nevertheless it does present a key second illustrating the themes of the film. Plus, its inclusion led me to uncover one thing I by no means knew about one in every of my all-time favourite actors.
Tom Hanks Taking part in A Film Rental Clerk Is Actually Some Of His Finest Work In Years
Tom Hanks reveals up early on in “Born to Mack,” the third and penultimate chapter of Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck’s anthology movie, which follows Pedro Pascal’s Clint as he tries to tie up free ends earlier than his spouse offers start to their little one. When trying to get right into a backroom poker sport at an Oakland film rental retailer, Clint meets Hank, a well-dressed cinephile and clerk who quizzes him on underdog tales.
Although he’s solely on display for a couple of minutes (not counting this hilarious finish credit scene), that is actually top-of-the-line Tom Hanks performances in a very long time. He’s quick-witted, humorous, and simply so dang mysterious. The 2-time Academy Award winner seems like he was having the time of his life behind the desk, and I had simply as a lot enjoyable watching it.
His Dialog With Pedro Pascal’s Character Had Me Laughing, However Additionally On Edge
The scene I’m speaking about is a flashback following a traumatic expertise, and so I didn’t know what to anticipate from this entire interplay, to be trustworthy. It was each hilarious and nerve-racking watching Hanks’ character go on this lengthy tangent about the perfect underdog tales, particularly contemplating the film is a group of tales about individuals defying the chances. Is he a very good man, a foul man, or simply some bizarre dude who desires to speak about motion pictures?
This rising pressure and awkward comedy make the scene a lot enjoyable, both for the primary time or on a revisit, and it creates this unusual feeling that doesn’t actually go away. It feels so bizarre laughing whereas additionally sitting on the sting of your seat, and this scene does simply that.
I Thought All The Tom Hanks References In The Starting Have been Simply Random Conversations
Earlier in Freaky Tales, proper earlier than a gaggle of boneheads reveals up and beats the mess out of the group of younger punks at Gilman Avenue, two characters are speaking about Splash and Bachelor Occasion throughout a dialog about Hanks working on the Oakland Coliseum when he was youthful. I initially thought this was only a random, throwaway scene, nevertheless it seems it was one thing greater than that.
Not solely did this dialog lay the groundwork for Hanks displaying up about half-hour later, nevertheless it additionally pays homage to the actor’s Oakland roots. Based on SF Gate, Hanks, an East Bay native, labored as a concessions vendor on the stadium and the Golden State Warriors’ close by Oracle Enviornment when he was youthful. All of it makes good sense.
You’ll be able to watch this wild Tom Hanks scene and the remainder of Freaky Tales with an HBO Max subscription.