Stitches (2012)


REVIEWER RATING: 
7/10


"A clown comes back from the dead to haunt those who took his life during a fatal party mishap."

Stitches is one of those rare Netflix movies that I stumbled across some time ago and always go to when someone needs a recommendation. It combines clowns and the slasher genre into a fun filled hour and thirty minutes. We have the character Stitches, played by the comedian Ross Noble, going around and murdering teenagers. The practical effects and laughs are very high in this 2012 Irish horror comedy.

This felt like a very short film for me because I didn't want it to end. The countless ways Stitches murders these teens is so creative and seems like a direct throwback to the 80's. There are often times when time slows down so we can see in detail what Stitches is doing to these kids. The film does a good job in making you feel sorry for the people that are murdered. They are mostly innocent kids and when you start to feel bad Stitches shows up, makes a pun and you laugh it off. The jokes are great because Stitches delivers the lines so seriously that sometimes you aren't sure if he's making a joke. It's brilliant. I really get a Nightmare on Elm Street vibe from this film, especially the later entries in the series as Freddy gets more goofy.

I honestly don't think this film would have worked without Ross Noble. He is a very sinister force as Stitches, but brings a huge amount of comedy to a film that doesn't look like it should have it. Most of the time, clowns are used as a scare device in other horror flicks. If you need an easy way to shock the crowd filmmakers usually throw a clown in there to make all those with phobias jump. In Stitches there is plenty of clown screen time, but he is often making jokes so you don't know whether to hide your eyes or laugh with him. The other actors do a decent job of making it look like they don't want to be killed, but the absolute standout performance is Ross Noble.

It's rare to stumble upon a film so fun that you want to watch it over and over. Horror nowadays seems hit or miss and Stitches is hit after hit after hit. Don't expect much from the actors besides Ross Noble. I feel like they are only there to get killed in creative ways. It's pretty cliché, but a type where you get antsy when someone isn't dying. Do not pass this up and get ready for a true gore fest.
OVERALL: 
It's rare to stumble upon a film so fun that you want to watch it over and over. Horror nowadays seems hit or miss and Stitches is hit after hit after hit. Don't expect much from the actors besides Ross Noble. I feel like they are only there to get killed in creative ways. It's pretty cliché, but a type where you get antsy when someone isn't dying. Do not pass this up and get ready for a true gore fest.


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.