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 just got the DVD of this film in. Up until now I really have never heard of this film. I read that a very young Sam Rockwell was in it but other than that it's all new to me.

The storyline is very simple. 3 brothers (one of which hates clowns) go to the circus one night. We get a little bit of character development on how the brothers interact with each other. After they leave the circus we see a scene of three psychopaths (who have escaped from a madhouse) run into a tent and kill three guys dressed as clowns. They steal the outfits and decided they are going to terrify the 3 brothers for the rest of the night.

That is about it for the story. Most of this movie is straight character development which makes for a decent film. My problem with it is the movie tends to drag during scenes and the crazed clowns didn't get as much time in the movie as they should have. Also, this movie is virtually goreless which made it interesting yet still a little dull. The whole movie felt like there was something missing. Also, the music score was very good at moments and very weak at moments. I believe the savior for this movie was the last 15 minutes as it did get intense.

Over all, this wasn't a bad movie, but it wasn't a great film either. If you do hate clowns I wouldn't watch this. 6/10

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.

I haven't seen this movie in years since the last time I rented on a local "Video Centro" (a popular video franchise from Mèxico).

The memories I have are blurry but I can say without fear of equivocation, that this was a fairly scary and creepy movie; specially for those who have clownphobia.

The premise was pretty good and interesting for a fast paced slasher flick. So three escaped convicts "hide" in a big classy house where three kids are left alone.

The atmosphere of the house was truly creepy. Accompained to that, there were also decent death scenes provoked by the convicts.

Overall this is an entertaining slasher flick that worths a watch... specially if you have clownphobia.

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.