Hi all!
If you follow my Instagram page, you may be aware that I have begun a new Halloween tradition. Every year, starting from 2022, I will introduce a specific theme for the entire spooky season. I decided to kick off this idea with Clowns as the central theme. IT is my favourite horror movie and one of my favourite books. I am attending the IT maze at Movie World Fright Nights (stay tuned for my post on that experience) and this month we are reading the Clown in a Cornfield duology for the bookclub. I am currently sharing 31 infamous clowns (one per day) in horror history on my IG page, plus some book recommendations. There is a lot of clownery going on that you won’t want to miss, including a special giveaway for my bookclub members! With all that out of the way, today I am obviously listing some excellent clown horror movies that you must check out this month. I am not mentioning IT because a.) I have done so hundreds of times already and b.) It’s the obvious choice. I like to diversify my lists and recommend more underrated films. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
1.) Killer Klowns From Outer Space
In first place, I am going to share one of my favourite horror movies of all time. If you haven’t seen Killer Klowns from Outer Space, what are you waiting for? When teenagers Mike and Debbie witness a comet crash outside their sleepy small town, they discover a pack of murderous aliens who look very much like circus clowns. Despite trying to warn the local authorities, everyone assumes their story is a prank. Meanwhile, the clowns set about harvesting and eating as many people as they can. It’s not until they kidnap Debbie that Mike decides it’s up to him to stop the strange creature’s shenanigans. This 80’s film is full of campy, spooky fun. It’s hilarious but also quite unnerving. The extraterrestrials themselves take on a very grotesque appearance that would have scared viewers at the time. Particularly those with coulrophobia (a fear of clowns). The soundtrack is incredible, the acting awful (but in the best cheesy way), and the visuals bright, colourful and exaggerated. If you only watch one recommendation on this list, let it be this one.
2.) Clown
Where Killer Klowns was light and fun, Clown is a dark bloodbath not for the faint of heart. Produced by the master of gore: Eli Roth, this story follows a loving father that discovers a strange clown costume in the attic. He wears it for his son’s birthday party but once the festivities are over, finds it won’t come off. As time passes, the suit fuses to his body and slowly transforms him into a child killer. Let me just say, there is a scene at a play-centre that you won’t easily forget. What I love about this underrated film is the progression of horror. Our protagonist starts off sweet and kind but by the end, is an evil unstoppable entity. His final form (the Clöyne) is so terrifying, he could easily give Pennywise a run for his money.
3.) Terrifier
Did you really think I wasn’t going to mention Terrifier? There is a reason I bought the t-shirt – which you can find here. The sequel was released today in the U.S. I’m sure you can imagine how hyped I am for it. If you want the ultimate Halloween slasher, here it is. I’m actually planning on ranking the franchise in the future so stay tuned for that. In all honesty, this movie doesn’t really have a plot. It follows a killer clown named Art that pursues two drunk girls on October 31st. He comes from a demonic realm, serving as an agent of Lucifer himself. His only goal? Complete and total slaughter. This film has a low-budget grittiness that adds to the terror. Art is a relentless villain that does not speak yet says volumes with one eerie facial expression. You won’t be able to sleep afterwards and that’s a fact!
4.) Haunt
I have to recommend Haunt because it’s the perfect horror movie to watch with your pals during spooky season. On Halloween, a group of friends encounter an extreme haunted house that promises to feed on their darkest fears. The night turns deadly as they come to the horrifying realisation that some nightmares are real. I loved everything about this film. It was gory, suspenseful and adventurous. Who doesn’t love watching people progress through a creatively designed amusement attraction? Each worker dons a different costume, but the leader is known for his clown mask. He shows no mercy towards his victims and is the last person you would want to meet in a dark room…
5.) Wrinkles The Clown
Last but not least, I am recommending a mockumentary. Wrinkles The Clown is based on a real-life person, who was paid by parents in Naples, Florida to scare naughty children in the hopes that they would behave better. The camera captures the clown at ‘work’, as he appears in children’s bedrooms or outside their windows. The mothers and fathers interviewed, deem their actions ethical and extremely effective. They declare that this method of discipline is foolproof and the only way to get results, despite the obvious lifelong trauma it breeds. Wrinkles himself is portrayed as an ordinary man that only adopts the creepy persona as a means of making a living. In fact, he is known as a good citizen, beloved by the area. The film only goes for an hour but it’s highly fascinating and worth a watch.
Thank you so much for reading! Please add any of your own recommendations in the comments! Do you have a theme for Halloween?
Peace & Love xoxo