The Overlook: Clown

(imdb.com)

With all the clown hysteria and talk revolving around the It remake, audiences looking for some craving satisfaction should look toward a recent release, Clown. Directed by Jon Watts (Cop Car), this film follows a husband who tries on a cursed clown costume that begins melding into him. Trying to remove the costume, the man disfigures his body. Then, as the haunted costume begins to possess him, things spiral out of control. Viewers can expect blood, gore and a lot of cringe-worthy moments, especially considering Eli Roth's attachment as a producer. Clown stars Andy Powers (In Her Shoes) as the father, Kent and Laura Allen (The 4400) as his wife, Meg.

As noted, this film is gore-to-the-floor. From his transformation to his eventual attempts at removing the costume, including a red nose removal, Clown will have you cringing in your seat. It is amazing that a story that starts off with wanting to make their child happy on their birthday, spirals so far out of control. Even the lighting of this film is sure to induce nausea as Kent faces the very real possibility that he is losing himself to a demonic clown presence. The film truly takes a turn after the reveal that Kent's possessed by an evil demon seeking children to eat. After a series of failed attempts and multiple butcherings, audiences can expect their stomachs to be well-turned.

This film is disturbed. For those looking for no catches and a simple movie without more dilemma, this is not it. The way to stop this an-eating clown is with the consumption of children, after all, and it should go without saying that the difficult decisions Meg makes will be turn offs for some. It's a relentless little film that packs a hammering punch. Like many gore-horror, there is little redemption, even in the closing scenes of Clown.

Clown, taken lightly can be a fun, dark jaunt into an alternative world of terrifying jest visuals and stark portraits of humanity. The acting, at times isn't the greatest, but it's certainly not the worst. For people looking to fill some sort of clown quota and are unable to sit through the three-hour It film, they should look for this movie. Because, like the demon at the center of Clown, audiences seem to have an undeniable craving for off-putting costumes and terrifying scenes of jesters and children.