Clownhouse (1988)


REVIEWER RATING: 
7/10


I heard about this film a while back and it got some mixed reviews. I personally thought it wasn't bad considering it was made for television back in the late 80s. It's kind of hard to find a decent horror film with clowns, so I was pleasantly surprised with this one. Although it doesn't have much blood or gore it does have some tense moments, especially for those of you who are afraid of clowns. I personally don't see how clowns are scary, but that's me.

Anyway, the film starts off with these three brothers going to a circus, and one of them just so happens to have a fear of clowns. Fast-forward a bit and we learn that some loonies recently escaped from a mental institution and are now on the run. They end up at a nearby circus and get their hands on some clown costumes and makeup. They eventually cross paths with the young bros. and decide to follow them home.

Although the movie wasn't scary, it was very entertaining; I especially like horror flicks where the unlikely hero (I.E. kids) are left to fend for themselves. There were a number of scenes with the clown-loonies closely following the boys, and in some instance stand no more than a couple feet behind'em -- an effective way to build tension, I have to say. It's that fear of someone watching you without your knowledge that makes it effective.

As I said before, I was hoping for more blood and possibly gore, but considering it was made for TV so you gotta expect there to be very little. The fact that the movie seems too short and a little too predictable, it didn't pose a problem for me. With creepy characters and vulnerable victims, this movie stands above the rest in terms of made-for-TV horror.

A surprisingly entertaining movie. If you have a fear of clowns I recommend you check this film, so you can scare the crap outta yourself!
OVERALL: 
A surprisingly entertaining movie. If you have a fear of clowns I recommend you check this film, so you care scare the crap outta yourself.


UHM is an independently owned site that relies solely on ad revenue, so we ask that if you like this site and what we do to help support by temporarily disabling ad block (if you're using one). If you'd rather help in other ways you can also send a tip by clicking here (or the button below). Any amount helps and will go towards the costs to maintain the site. Anyone who donates will also be listed in our thanks page.