Clown Fear [2020]
Lake Horror Review
by Scott Lake
A runaway bride and her bridesmaids are stranded in a city run by clowns. Everything seemed normal at first but this clown cult has their own set of rules. It’s a carnival ride as our girls tries to stay alive to escape Clown City. [IMDb]
When a bride-to-be, Carlee (Sadie Katz), has a falling out with her soon-to-be husband, Thomas (Gianni Capaldi), on their wedding day… mid-ceremony, she takes off with her friends to gather herself. They all end up at the Clown Inn, where nothing is fully as it seems. Who will make it out alive and who will have the last laugh?
Sitting down to view Clown Fear, I knew I was in for something different. I wasn’t aware I’d be watching a throwback to 80s and 90s exploitation films. It reminds me a lot of Full Moon Features‘ films during the 1990s. Clown Fear is a mix of sex appeal and fear that come together to create a circus fever dream that would make Bozo The Clown second-guess his career choice.
Clown Fear was a pleasant surprise. I wasn’t expecting such a fun throwback to decades past, but the cast and crew pulled it off. Co-writers, Minh Collins (who also directs) and Sadie Katz (who also stars), created a creepy clown-filled exploitation film that refreshes the genre. While the performances are a bit hit and miss, they make up for it in overall production value. The sets are fantastic and put you in mind of the Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada. In fact, I’d guess that it was the inspiration for the Clown Inn. Production Designer, Chad Quick, had this location looking creepy as hell. More so if you’re not a fan of clowns.
The Makeup department, lead by Veronica Rodarte, along with Mandisa Duperval and Jacqueline Holden, had these actors looking everything from totally gorgeous to utterly disturbing, and I love them for it.
The Music Score, composed by Daniel Berk, adds a great level of creepy where needed, and helps to really bring the whole thing together, to complete the insanity that is the Clown Inn.
The cast is filled with quite a few familiar indie names. Among others, in addition to Katz and Capaldi, appearing here are Augie Duke, Tiffani Fest, Nikki Kris, Courtney Akbar, Ron Russell, Randy Wayne, Sarah French and many more. I took a personal delight in a particular casting decision. Veteran actor and all-around nice guy, Marv Blauvelt, gives a twisted, creepy and violent performance as Tiny. I’m a person who doesn’t mind clowns, but he made me second guess that stance somewhat. He, along with Chris Cope, Douglas Ferrell, Danny Wolske, Eddie Pollard and all the other clowns in this film, would most likely send someone with coulrophobia (fear of clowns) into a nightmare state for days.
The cast, crew and all involved really put in the work for this film, and it really shows. So, if you’re looking to battle your fear of clowns, or want to explore it, or if you’re just looking for a good modern day exploitation film, this 2020 clown horror feature should do the trick.
I recommend you give it a watch and see what you think. Until then, don’t sleep. The clowns might get you. A solid 7/10.
