AUSTIN, Texas — Frankie Muniz made an appearance on the opening night of the Austin Film Festival.

Many people remember him as the kid star of Malcolm in the Middle and more recently for Dancing with the Stars.

He's also the star of a new indie film The Black String.

The leading man said even after all these years it's tough watching himself on screen and he's his own toughest critic.  

"I hate myself as an actor, like I hate my performances always I hate not the characters I play,” Muniz said. “I always feel like I could have done more and I watched the film for the first time two days ago and I'm so ecstatic with it I love it I'm excited for everybody to see it's a totally different character than I've played."

In The Black String, Muniz plays a suburban slacker who thinks witches are out to get him.  The Austin Film Festival continues through next week.