“If there is an itch, one does want to scratch, but it is much nicer to have neither the itch nor the scratch.” – C. S. Lewis. The production logos preceding Shal Ngo’s latest “Control Freak” have barely begun to fade before Kelly Marie Tran, center stage both literally and figuratively as motivational speaker Val, moves her hand to the back of her head, where a pesky itch resides. Any concerns that this particular act will wind up short-lived should take the exit immediately, as Val’s habit, complete with ASMR-level sound design every time she seeks relief from the itch that’s as much a character as herself, occupies the screen seemingly every few minutes as if tapping on the heads of audience members in an effort not to forget her condition. This incessant repeat? It’s as annoying as an itch.

READ MORE: The 100 Most Anticipated Films Of 2025

As for the movie encapsulating Val and her unpleasant co-star, right from the jump is, the groundwork laid, with Val preparing for a Tony Robbins-esque tour in support of a new book; unfortunately, travel of this nature requires additional paperwork to secure the clearance necessary for such a jaunt, and before long Val has touched down overseas to find what it is she needs back home.

Perhaps a box containing her late mother’s belongings holds the solution, with flashbacks seeming to indicate this same parent met with a grisly fate some years prior. Perhaps this near-constant scratching leans towards anxiety or indicates something greater at work. With her family’s ancestry called into question as “Control Freak” suggests some curse, could it simply explain itself away as existing within the confines of Val’s own head?

It’s a trope as old as a summertime itch, with unsettling imagery of a nondescript beast shaking Val awake from slumber time and again, all the while attempting to keep herself from making things worse and possibly scratching her way inside her head by binding her hands at night, often to no avail. Sadly, the escalating situation falls on the deaf ears of her boyfriend, Robbie (Miles Robbins), with whom she wishes to start a family, but a particular itch makes sure to keep such efforts at bay. One lovemaking session even descends into injury, with Robbie pulling away as Val’s antics draw genuine blood; even this evidence that said itch might have taken the form of possession fails to convince Robbie something might be horribly amiss.

Meanwhile, imagery of Val’s mother drowning begins to occupy the screen with increased frequency as the film takes a sharp left into the realm of creepy crawlies, with Val roused from yet another nightmare where a geyser of insects erupts from her mouth, appearing on her skin and attempt to distract from the overabundance of cinematic squelch every good horror movie needs.

Alas, boilerplate could best describe the events of “Control Freak, “despite the genuine commitment of Tran and Robbins, particularly with both oozing chemistry and dedication to whatever routine setup the movie provides next. Folk horror elements attempt to weasel their way into the narrative. Still, all of this takes a backseat to predictability, half-hearted jump scares, and a flow that, while maintaining its momentum throughout, often allows the audience to predict the following line.

Support independent movie journalism to keep it alive. Sign up for The Playlist Newsletter. All the content you want and, oh, right, it’s free.

Somehow, this predictability pushes subplots that couldn’t be viewed as unimportant into an instantly forgettable pit, such as a recurring motif involving her monk father, his involvement in drugs, his role in the death of Val’s mother, and the revelation that her affliction has always existed. 

By the time Val’s mental state breaks down before a crowd of thousands during one of her engagements, the third act still looms, and attention becomes increasingly challenging to maintain as all the storytelling bases have seemingly been covered. Sure, a showdown with her literal demons lurks within the final minutes, but it’s hardly enough to elevate this film to a level reserved for horror’s most memorable. Any itch one receives will, in all likelihood, linger far longer than the memory of “Control Freak.” [C-]

“Control Freak” premieres March 13 on Hulu.