Film Review
Clown Fear (2020)
★★★★★
A cast with top actresses in indie horror make this one well worth seeing. Maybe I’m biased, but the the only flaw I see with this film is the (male) actors. All the actresses are great. I’ve found that to be true of many indie horror films I’ve reviewed.
This opens with a titillating scene with indie horror queen Sarah French (Beach Massacre at Kill Devil Hills, Chainsaw Maidens from Hell), whose character isn’t integral to the main story, but her very memorable scene sets the stage with the motel in the bizarre town of “Clown City,” where the others in story are sure to wind up. Sadie Katz (Blood Feast, Bus Party to Hell) as Carlee Summers, a bride given her walking papers at the alter, heads the main cast of actresses known not for just horror. Besides Sadie, we have as the bridesmaids; Tiffani Fest, Augie Duke, and Nikki Kris. Courtney Akbar is the seemingly sweet and somewhat innocent daughter of Clown City’s “first family.” 80’s Scream Queen Darcy DeMoss, who’s appeared in such classics as Friday the 13th Part VI: Jason Lives and Return to Horror High, is a gem as the matriarch of the evil clown family who own the motel. Her performance is a little too over-the-top, but I suppose that’s just to be in fitting with the guys’ way too over-the-top performances. Oh, and Elissa Dowling is also present here, in a don’t-blink-or-you’ll-miss-her part.
I’ll go out on a limb and say the real life Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada inspired this film, because when the foursome of ladies’ car breaks down somewhere between Vegas and LA, they walk and come upon a a small town with a motel all decked out with clown motif that is more creepy than cute. The ladies get their car towed and fixed, thanks to Carlee using her charms on a local mechanic, in a scene Sadie Katz fans will surely appreciate. After finding out the person his bride-to-be cheated with was a female (which makes it alright), the groom and his best man go looking for Carlee. He is “reunited” with her after a slight road “mishap” gore hounds will appreciate, also strands him in Clown City.
The performances by the ladies in this one more than make up for the way-too-over-the-top acting efforts from the guys. I won’t give away the ending, but I suppose this place is like the clown version of the Hotel California, where you can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave.
About the author
Originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, Chris flirted with the music business there and in Nashville before joining the U.S. Army and serving in South Korea. He remained in Asia for several years afterwards, teaching English, traveling, and covering the regional entertainment scenes. Currently in a mindset between Seoul and San Francisco, besides Idol Features, you can also catch his writings in the print edition of the monthly magazine, Effective.
