Review of Clown (2014) by Logan M — 11 Aug 2016

Most people may find them funny source of the same especially for events such as a child's birthday party. But then there were people who suffer from coulrophobia, the irrational and extreme fear of clowns. Then there's nothing more terrifying the painted face, colorful wigs and oversize shoes. This fact has not been overlooked by writers who specialize in horror stories. Examples such as 'Pennywise' from the Stephen King novel 'It', or more recently 'Twisty the Clown', from a recent season of American Horror Story, demonstrate just how frightening a clown can be as a the embodiment of unadulterated evil . One of the latest movies produced by one of the originators of torture porn, Eli Roth makes it abundantly clear that people with coulrophobia steer clear of the film succinctly named, 'Clown'. Originally the film had been produced a release in 3-D which was how it was displayed during its theatrical run. However, decision had been made that only the 2-D version would be released on Blu-ray and DVD. All things considered this might be a blessing in disguise for those who are somewhat squeamish. Then again, what is members not inclined to enjoy ample scenes of unabashed carnage cannot be found anywhere near a movie with the name Eli Roth anywhere in the credits. The film was directed in: written by Jon Watts previously has devoted much of his professional life homing television episodes and short films. One of those shorts version of this story released in 2010. Next year he is slated to enter the exclusive club of filmmakers participating in the cinematic franchise juggernaut, The Marvel Cinematic Universe. This feature opus is 'Spider-Man: Homecoming' which is currently listed as production. Hopefully once he moves himself from the influences of overly gory horror films will be in a better position to demonstrate his skills as a director. 'Clown' relies very heavily on a number of well-established tropes commonly used in this category of movies.

The main theme of this movie can be considered a variation of 'Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde', substituting demonic possession for the traditional experimental serum. The first component necessary for such a story's is a protagonist who is a good man. This requisite is filled the person of real estate agent Kent McCoy (Andy Powers) is a devoted family man would never want to disappoint his wife, Meg (Laura Allen) or son, Jack (Christian Distefano). Adhering to the tradition followed by middle-class suburban that all over the country, Kent decides to hire a clown to entertain at Jack's birthday party. Unfortunately, the clown the wrong address and it looks as though the children will be disappointed. Not wanting to let his son down Kent finds a clown costume activating the basement of one of the houses he is selling. Considering the alternative was to use a mop as a wig and dressed in baggy old suit Kent regarding finding the clown costume and an old trunk to be an incredibly great stroke of luck. Returning back home he saves the day Inc. the children but as he picks up Jack to put the tide out boy to bed his son whispers "I know what you dad". Kent is also exhausted days' activities also sleep the clown costume still on. The next morning Kent is unable to remove the costume.

For anyone who is even marginally familiar with the sub-genre of supernatural horror. You will immediately recognize this meme. Several variants of it were used in 'The Twilight Zone' and with a decidedly comic slant in the early Jim Carrey vehicle, 'The Mask'. Kent becomes desperate to remove the clown costume but nothing he tries is successful. Making matters even worse is that the full bodysuit, wig and red nose or merging with his flesh. When May tries to help him remove the nose skin is ripped off with it. At this point, the Jekyll/Hyde theme is introduced. The costume is doing more than just becoming part of his body, it is insinuating itself into his personality. Kent begins to experience a disturbingly dark hunger as the stomach ominously churns and gurgles. As it was needed, further proof of the sinister nature of the suit is provided by his dog eats the removed nose and become so violent that he has to be put down. According to the general outline of this type of film people afflicted with such unusual apparel begin to channel their inner Colombo after coming to the conclusion that the only resolution possible is to learn the origins of the costume.

Kent manages to track down a man named Dr. Herbert Karlsson (Robert Reynolds), an oncologist who happens to be the brother of the costume's previous owner. The plot points introduced here generate a mixed result regarding the effectiveness of the movie. While it is always incredibly easy to track down the person who previously owned a discarded clown costume placed in a trunk in the basement of the house that's for sale. A little leeway is provided by having Kent as the realtor and therefore able to access some of those details. An interesting subtlety is making the brother a cancer specialist. In some ways the costume is acting as a tumor feeding off of Kent, altering him both mentally and physically. Dr. Karlsson is able to fill Kent in on the exceptionally peculiar history of the costume. His brother had made the costume by using the skin and hair of a demon from Northern Europe called 'Cloyne'. According to the legend, the demon lures five children from the town, one for each of the five coldest month of the year, in order to murder and consume them. Without warning Karlsson attempts to decapitate Kent with the meat cleaver only manages to embed the blade in Kent's shoulder. The customer appears to be able to sustain Kent until his mission is complete. The only way that can be free of the costume is to cannibalize five innocent children.

Kent realizes that he cannot be around his family. Meg is pregnant and Jack would make a tasty little morsel for the demon's appetite. Taking up residence in a hotel Kent becomes increasingly overwhelmed by the demons hunger and the increasing ominous sound from his stomach. Completely despondent Kent decides to commit suicide. His first attempt is to shoot himself in the head and when that fails, he tries unsuccessfully to decapitate himself with a pale chainsaws. The costume is not going to permit the death of its host until his appetite is appeased. Similar to the stages of grief, there is a certain process in movies for people possessed by demonic artifact; attempt removal, investigate origins, attempts suicide. When the stages are unsuccessfully tried the next option is to try to trick the demon. Kent decides that he can satisfy the demons hunger for children by victimizing patients in a pediatric oncology wing selecting those who are close to death anyway. Kent did try to postpone taking innocent life for as long as possible, but after the suicide attempts. The demonic presence begins to fully manifest in Kent sacrifices one of Jack's friends, actually, a boy in his grade who was always bullying him, providing him with the delusion of justification.

Typical of any movie that has formed within the gravitational influence of Eli Roth this movie has enough sadistic gore, perversity and violence to satisfy his fan base. There is a similar moral conundrum down in the flagship of this gruesome offshoot of horror, 'Saw'. As mentioned previously, Kent is an intrinsically decent human being, a loving and caring family man. Under the demonic influence of the costume he has to watch and terror as he inexorably becomes not just the serial killer who one that cannibalizes children. It is possible to see a stylistic glimmer infused by Mr. Watts. The problem is overly visceral horror films like this is with the exception of some perversely variations on methodology, there are very few opportunities for originality. He does his best to emphasize the ever-increasing moral dilemma experienced by Kent, which is greatly aided by the performance given by Mr. Powers. If you're a fan of the MCU and you decide to watch this movie. Do your best not to prejudge the ability of Mr. Watts, I'm quite certain that his handling of the third reboot of Spiderman will be much better.