Culture Magazine

Clown (2014)

By Newguy

logoDirector: Jon Watts

Writer: Christopher D Ford, Jon Watts (Screenplay)

Starring: Peter Stormare, Eli Roth, Laura Allen, Christian Distefano, Elizabeth Whitmere, Chuck Shamata, Matthew Stefiuk, Andy Powers

 

Plot: A loving father finds a clown suit for his son’s birthday party, only to realize the suit is part of an evil curse that turns its wearer into a killer.

 

There may be spoilers the rest of the review

 

Verdict: New Generation of Clown Scares

 

Story: Clown starts with Jack’s (Distefano) birthday all clown theme but when the clown gets double booked Jack’s father Kent (Powers) finds himself a clown costume to make the party complete. The party was saved Kent keeps the costume on overnight but come the morning Kent finds that he can’t get the costume off and anything he tries just leads him to injuring himself.

Kent decides to investigate the previous owner of the house Karlsson (Stormare) to find out about the costume. Karlsson teaches Kent the true origins of the Clown which was previously known as the cloyne an evil figure that used to kidnap children one for every month of winter, before being turned into the comedy figure we know today. Kent learns that the costume is actually skin and hair of a demon that takes over the host wearing it. Kent starts to isolate himself so he can deal with the changes happening while his wife Meg (Allen) keeps Jack safe.

Kent’s transformation continues to get worse and ever tries suicide but the costume won’t let him die. Kent returns to his wife for help and Meg tries to understand what is happening by studying the book taken from Karlsson. What Meg discovers is the true revelation of what will happen to Kent if he isn’t saved in time she teams up with Karlsson who reveals the only way he knows how to lift the curse, letting the demon take five children one for every month of winter.

Clown is an interest story to follow, it manages to look at a character in a clown that is normal considered funny and makes it one of the most terrifying screen presences in recent years (I am aware it isn’t the first time clowns have been used for horror). The idea that the clown isn’t so much a clown but a demon does follow again previous trends with clown horror ‘It’ for example but this has a much more frightening human touch to fear. We have the human who is in fact the one taken over and whilst we do see in battle between the human and the demon we do circle the same idea of children being most vulnerable, this always makes for a good addition to horror because it ups any fear levels the audience might have. I do feel like the story is slightly too long but otherwise this is a very good addition to the horror genre. (8/10)

 

Actor Review

 

Peter Stormare: Karlsson the man whose brother once had the curse, he knows what the curse requires even if it means killing the host. He teams up with Meg to try and stop Kent before he commits the unthinkable acts. Peter adds the big name to the film and does a solid job in the supporting role in a role that is there to be slightly crazy but knowing the truth. (7/10)

 

Laura Allen: Meg wife of Kent who has to protect her son while trying to figure out what has happened to her husband and try and find a cure. Laura does a solid job and has what would be considered genuine reactions to the jump scares. (7/10)

 

Andy Powers: Kent loving father who is desperate not to let his son down on his birthday, he finds a clown costume but after he puts it on he simply can’t get it off as he slowly starts turning into the demon. Andy does a good job as the possessed man becoming the demon. (7/10)

 

Support Cast: Clown has a supporting cast of the children that the clown hunts, Jack the son and other family and friends that all try to figure out what could be happening.

 

Director Review: Jon Watts – Jon does a good job directing make this a good addition to the horror genre. (7/10)

 

Horror: Clown does have so solid jump scares, plenty of blood and gore but most of all it tackles a real horrific idea of killing and eating children. (10/10)

Settings: Clown uses the settings nicely to add to the horror when it comes to being at home. (8/10)
Special Effects
: Clown uses the effects with the clown costume very well to show the horror of what has happened with the costume on. (9/10)

Suggestion: Clown really is one for the horror fans to watch it has everything a horror fan will enjoy. (Horror Fans Watch)

 

Best Part: The fun land search.

Worst Part: I would say it was longer than it needed to be, but nothing negative about the story.

Favourite Quote: Karlsson ‘Jack, I have to kill your daddy’.

 

Believability: No (0/10)

Chances of Tears: No (0/10)

Chances of Sequel: No

Post Credits Scene: No

 

Oscar Chances: No

Runtime: 1 Hour 40 Minutes

Trivia: Movie posters featuring the clown were censored in Italy for being “too scary”.

 

Overall: Clown is a good horror film that really tackles horrific ideas and mixes them into real horror to make this one of watch.

Rating 

77


Back to Featured Articles on Logo Paperblog