Big Top Evil (2019)

If you currently possess an okay relationship with clowns, this may no longer be the case by the time you finish watching Big Top Evil. Writers Sean Haitz and John Morrisey got the widely-used horror slasher template down pat: A group of oversexed young people? Check! The pompous diva bitch? Check! Lovable loser? Check! Dark woods? Check! It’s what is produced beyond this template that matters. To be honest, what co-directors Haitz and Chris Potter did with the low budget they had is quite impressive, even with the hiccups and strange edits. I take into consideration that this is an indie film. I take into account that this is someone’s passion, idea, blood, sweat and tears.

At first sight, Big Top Evil seemed to fall under the usual killer clowns cliché. Sadly, to an extent, having watched Killer Clowns from Outer Space, and holding it as the benchmark, ruined all other clown horror for me. However, Haitz and Potter, did manage to produce a piece of entertainment in which, much like when witnessing a horrible car wreck and wanting to shield your eyes, you simply can’t look away. Big Top Evil has you gripped, much like those cannibal clowns have their victims.

Made on a very modest budget of US$30,000 (according to IMDb), it sadly shows in most parts of the film, with some strange edit jumps and unusual stray shots of insects and snakes, resulting in a lower-end production value kind of look. Oddly though, in some parts of the film it actually works well, where the strange edit cuts add to the disturbing and macabre atmosphere.

Haitz also stars in the film as Jay, one of the group who was the inspiration for their weekend getaway. He also makes an appearance, though unrecognizable, as one of the man-eating clowns. The film also boasts some prominent actors in the ensemble cast. Horror film legend Bill Moseley (Mr. Kharver) makes a nice cameo appearance, as does J. LaRose (Roadside Jack).

I also have to shine a spotlight on the performance by David Vega (Bellevue Bob). Vega made me all giddy every time he was on screen. He was the epitome of a circus clown gone jolly mad. He will kill you with a smile, and you will like it. Also deserving mention are Austin Judd (Candy) who brings creepy, psycho sexy back, and Morgan Ferreira (Donny) and Paul Welch (Sgt. Psycho) who put in entertaining performances.

Sean Fetterman‘s creepy circus music score had me disturbed throughout the film and I just wanted it out of my head by the end. It just gave me the creeps, to the point that I will never hear circus music in the same way again. Speaking of music, the end credits had me watching all the way through to the very end. Big Top Evil Rock by Richard Haitz and Cirque De Slay by Kalvin McClure were awesome to the point that I’d love a copy to add to my Halloween playlist. A lot of fun.

While it had a rough start, Big Top Evil kept improving as the film progressed. By the end, I was hooked. Quite disturbing and highly enjoyable.

My rating: 7/10.

Sean Haitz currently has two films in post-production, Cannibal Comedian and Area 5150. Stay tuned!