Terrifier

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“A maniac named Art the Clown terrorizes two friends on Halloween and everyone who gets in his way.”

This has been on the list for a while. And I’m not going to lie, if you are not a horror fan, this is a hard watch. But if you ARE a horror fan, this is essential. I just now have the access to see it without paying for it so forgive the delay.

There is so much “Art the Clown” merch around that I had to know why. So, here we are.The clown trope for villains has been long standing, the most popular being Pennywise from Steven King, but the fear of clowns stems deeper. Also known as “coulrophobia,” the fear of clowns is something breeding from our childhood. And this movie makes good on furthering it.

The intro gives you a great setup. It’s not the first kill that you’d think of but it lets you know how the kills have affected their victims. Then the intro to the infamous clown begins. There’s no real pause in the creepiness and soon the deaths begin.

Low budgets and practical effects can go a long way if you have the right actors and good practical effects. And this film has them. The eeriness of Art not saying a word plays well into a lot of slasher tropes while he still seems very mindful of his acts. Art doesn’t just kill, he wants you to know that he can kill you. And there are things worse than death.

However, when you get to the point that you tell a villain to “get the fuck up,” girl, for real?

This may also be the only time that I’ve seen a slasher actually use a gun! Like: “Nah, I’m done. BANG!” And what is in that plastic bag? A body? No, mutha-fuq-er. TOOL!’ The other twist is that usually it’s the person you call for help that dies but… TRICK OR TREAT!!!!!

This movie’s score contributes SO HARD to. I feel like if you didn’t have the score, this would be a way different feel. I also love the androgyny of “Art.” He seems to have a feminine shape when things are stripped down but a more masculine one in clown form.

SPOILERS FROM THIS POINT

Yay to the blue-collar workers of this country! They come through when you need them! But one has to wonder what would happen. if he’d stayed on the line.

And the ending twist! But is he really dead????