Killer Klowns from Outer Space (dir. Stephen Chiodo, 1988)
Say what you will about Killer Klowns from Outer Space, but unlike a certainly vaguely titled novel by Stephen King, this movie plainly announces what it is. It’s not good and often willfully stupid, but it has no pretensions to greater meaning. No examination of the legacy of childhood trauma or the sublimated horror of the 1950s to be found here! There’s only a bunch of repulsive looking aliens with a circus theme.
When I write ‘repulsive’ by the way, I don’t mean because they are clowns. Clowns aren’t scary. I’ve heard your reasons and read explanations about how the makeup and costuming contribute to an uncanny effect, but I know better than Dr. Freud. It’s entirely because of John Wayne Gacy, vague memories of Tim Curry’s performance as Pennywise, and because that Simpsons line, “Can’t sleep. Clown will eat me,” is good enough to base an aspect of your personality around. No, clowns as a class are irritating, and the ones in this film combine that with prosthetics that are stomach churning. It’s frankly impressive, especially considering how inexpensive they were to create.
Is there anything to recommend Killer Clowns? It features a performance from character actor John Vernon and an incredibly earlier appearance from standup comedian Christopher Titus. It has either the confidence–or doesn’t have the budget–to include a rendition of “Send in the Clowns,” opting instead for an original song helpfully explaining the plot. Also, the creative leads on the film bill themselves as the Chiodo Brothers, so if you’re like me, you can be reminded of Joel and Ethan Coen and think, “Well, I guess this is at least on par with The Ladykillers…”
oliveresque 