Clownhouse

CLOWNHOUSE gets the whole "fear of clowns" thing right. This is due most assuredly to what was really taking place off camera, adding a rather sick, sorrowful undertone that's difficult to shake. In addition, real-life killer John Wayne Gacy's "Pogo" the clown persona jumps immediately to mind, making this truly chilling. The entire production is shot through with an ominous, dreamlike atmosphere.

The three young brothers (Nathan Forrest Winters, Brian McHugh, and Sam Rockwell) seem to be in actual peril from these insane, silent predators. This is an effective horror movie that will always be remembered for the crimes committed by its Director during its production...

I first saw this on a vhs in the early 90s. Found it to be creepy then. Revisited it recently on You Tube. It hasn't aged well but there is something creepy bah the clowns n their masks.

The story is bah 3 brothers who r alone since their parents r away. The youngest one has coulrophobia. The eldest one, a very young Sam Rockwell takes his brothers to a circus. Meanwhile 3 escaped mental patients r on the loose.

Made on a shoe string budget, Salva did some good job. The body count is low n the gore/violence is minimum but the movie plays more on the fear. Clownhouse does show that Salva actually has talent when it comes to putting together an effective horror movie.

The movie has lingering shots of the young actors in their underwear, shirtless, and even changing clothes. N aft knowing Salva's child molestation history, i found those scenes disgusting. What Salva did is truly unforgivable and despicable.

People may relate this film to IT and Alone in the Dark.

I couldn't do that to the young men in this film that worked extremely hard to make this film enjoyable. Easy to see the talent a young Sam Rockwell possess as he is great as always in this film. Director can rot for all I care.

Three mental patients escape from a nearby mental ward and disguise themselves as clowns and begin to terroize three boys home alone. Acting, script- nothing special, but the film is creepy and entertaining. An old fashioned tell me a scary story film, shows other filmmakers that this is the right way to make a horror film. Turn off all the lights, have some popcorn and soda and have a good time. Best to watch this during a storm.

A personal favorite. 8 out of 10.

This is the first time I have looked up this movie online and read all the reviews. Some hate it some loved it. I am glad this movie brought enjoyment to the people who liked it. One of the trivia statements on this movie is that they assume Brian McHugh was molested by Victor. This is not the case. Nathan, Sam and I would spend time at Victors house rehearsing prior to filming. I would stay the night there but I was never alone with him. He had set up a camera to film me showering and dressing without my knowledge but that was the extent of it. I did seek legal counsel but was told at the time, without him actually being physical with me, it would be a long, brutal trial that probably wouldn't be worth it. So, my mother decided she did not want me to go through that. Victor is a POS and always will be. Karma will find him one day. That is it in a nutshell. I went on to finish school, joined the military, and now just work like everyone else. Hope this sheds some light on what happened to me since everyone wants to speculate. Thank for all the feedback, good and bad.

Sincerely, Brian McHugh.