The film stars Alex Lawther, Abigail Breslin, AnnaSophia Robb, Ian Nelson, Celia Weston, Laverne Cox, and Bette Midler.

Flashing back to his younger years, his indulgent, flamboyant, alcoholic mother "Muv" worships him, actively encouraging him to dress up.

However his idea of conservative is quite flamboyant, with eyeliner and lipstick, a ruffled pirate top, little black jacket and hat.

Noone speaks to him positively on the first day, but on the second, not only does Mary Jane befriend him, giving the lowdown on the most prominent students, but "Flip" Kelly introduces himself.

When the three girl clique of bullies ask Billie for fashion tips, he brilliantly tears them apart, then there's the homophobic jocks, and the loner Bernie with a deep-seated resentment towards him, a mask for something deeper.

It culminates to the day he dons a completely outlandish, mini-length wedding gown with a veil and garish red makeup.

The next day, Billy does a theatrical presentation for his Great Gatsby book report dressed and acting as Zelda Fitzgerald.

On October 2, 2015, it was announced that Trudie Styler would make her directorial debut with the young adult LGBT film Freak Show, based on the novel of same name by James St.

The website's critical consensus reads, "Freak Show relies on engaging performances and obviously good intentions to cover for its clichéd story and uneven direction – and for some viewers, it may well be enough.

[14] The Variety review stated, "Trudie Styler's sparkly but superficial directorial debut is a gay coming-of-age tale that presumes more love for its fabulous hero than it earns.