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Carny

  • TV Movie
  • 2009
  • Not Rated
  • 1h 28m
IMDb RATING
4.2/10
1.4K
YOUR RATING
Carny (2009)
ActionFantasyHorrorSci-FiThriller

A devilish creature escapes from a carnival to wreak havoc on a small town.A devilish creature escapes from a carnival to wreak havoc on a small town.A devilish creature escapes from a carnival to wreak havoc on a small town.

  • Director
    • Sheldon Wilson
  • Writer
    • Douglas G. Davis
  • Stars
    • Lou Diamond Phillips
    • A.C. Peterson
    • Vlasta Vrana
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    4.2/10
    1.4K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Sheldon Wilson
    • Writer
      • Douglas G. Davis
    • Stars
      • Lou Diamond Phillips
      • A.C. Peterson
      • Vlasta Vrana
    • 22User reviews
    • 16Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 1 nomination total

    Photos8

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    Top cast28

    Edit
    Lou Diamond Phillips
    Lou Diamond Phillips
    • Atlas
    A.C. Peterson
    A.C. Peterson
    • Cap
    Vlasta Vrana
    Vlasta Vrana
    • Owen
    Dominic Cuzzocrea
    Dominic Cuzzocrea
    • Quinn
    Simone-Élise Girard
    Simone-Élise Girard
    • Samara
    Dan Petronijevic
    Dan Petronijevic
    • Luke
    • (as Daniel Petronijevic)
    Joe Cobden
    Joe Cobden
    • Rogers
    Felicia Shulman
    Felicia Shulman
    • Estelle
    Matt Murray
    • Taylor
    Kyle Gatehouse
    Kyle Gatehouse
    • Jesse
    Pedro Salvín
    • Driskal
    Dani Kind
    Dani Kind
    • Leopard Woman
    Shaun McComb
    • Split-Faced Man
    Giant Gustav Claude Ouimet
    Giant Gustav Claude Ouimet
    • The Gentle Giant
    • (as Gustave Ouimet)
    Yvette Harper Pouliotte
    • Congregant
    David Ascroft
    • Carny
    • (as David Ashcroft)
    Kayla Waymark
    • Carny
    Chris Cartier
    • Carny
    • Director
      • Sheldon Wilson
    • Writer
      • Douglas G. Davis
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews22

    4.21.3K
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    Featured reviews

    5paul_m_haakonsen

    Fairly standard "horror" movie...

    "Carny" was like a trip down memory lane for me, and perhaps will be for anyone who watched horror movies during the mid- and late 80's. This movie was like it was plucked right out of that era and then shined up for a 2009 release.

    The story in "Carny" was pretty tame. A carnival of traveling freaks come to a small town, and with them they have a new attraction. A certain abomination as they call it. And of course, the creature breaks free and wreaks havoc upon the town and the inhabitants. Pretty much standard 80's horror plot right there.

    Now, I think that the creature actually looked good and was believable. I read some reviews who weren't as forgiving to the effects and the creature, but I found it to actually be good enough.

    And as for the cast and the acting, well there were some questionable performances, sure, but there were also some fairly decent performances as well. Don't put your hopes up for any award-winning performances, because then you will be sorely disappointed.

    As for being a horror movie, then "Carny" wasn't particularly scary at all. And there weren't even any moments of intense suspense or dread. The movie pretty much rolled onward at a good pace, though it was weak in scares and thrills. And as for the ending, well who would have seen that coming... Not saying anything else, just watch it yourself.

    All in all, "Carny" was a fairly average horror movie, though it was weak in scares. The good thing about it was that most of it was actually shot during the day, so you had good, clear and well-lit scenes, and you saw the creature clearly in the daylight (as to where many other movies use glimpses and darkness to hide whatever is prowling the innocent). So that worked. Just don't have your heart set on being scared out of your seat.
    2bkoganbing

    Getting The Gargoyle

    In Carny Lou Diamond Phillips is cast as the police chief of Reliance, New York a small town in the most rural part of upstate New York where the big event of the year is about to take place, a carnival has come to town. Not just any carnival, but one specializing in some of the rejects from the Creator/Deity work table. In this film's makers must have been inspired by Todd Browning's classic film, Freaks.

    Would that this film was anywhere close to being as good as Freaks, but it sadly isn't. The biggest attraction in the show is some kind of gargoyle like creature billed as the New Jersey Devil. When it gets loose and starts terrorizing the area, Lou as the sheriff takes it upon himself to organize a hunting party.

    This is where it really gets ridiculous. When he was a smalltown Texas sheriff in Bats at least he called in some help. Why he didn't in Carny is totally beyond me.

    The film was shot in and around Ottawa to simulate the rural atmosphere of upstate New York which is not as rural as when Jimmy Stewart made upstate New York's fictional Bedford Falls famous. The rest of the cast is made up of Canadian players.

    Of course getting this gargoyle proves to be a rough go for Lou and his posse of hunters who are used to more docile creatures like deer. I tell you this, George Bailey would have known when he was overmatched and would have sent for help should the gargoyle ever be threatening Bedford Falls. There's also a side story about a crazy preacher wanting to see the carnival destroyed before he even knew about the gargoyle.

    Carny is one big mess of a film. Hopefully Lou Diamond Phillips got to get in some rural pursuits while making this feast for his next Thanksgiving table.
    7cgallo

    Above Average for Sci-Fi Ch

    I was pleasantly surprised by this Sci-Fi Channel entry. There were some credible makeup and physical effects, a number of competent actors supporting a script that avoided many of the more common clichés for what has become its own genre, the Sci-Fi Channel monster flick usually produced in Canada.

    Lou Diamond Phillips stars, cast yet again as a small town sheriff battling things that fly and/or creep whilst chewing scenery, secondary characters and extras at will. It isn't BATS, but its not a crap fest either. Another treat -- the music did not appear to be library music but supported the scenes rather well. A genuine jump inducer in the 2nd act and some graphic gore and another jump in the 3rd made this a "7" in my book.

    Oh yeah, and a minimum of shaky camera work and random zooming in and out. Bless the D of P for not inflicting that on the audience.
    5TheLittleSongbird

    Not that bad but also could have been much better

    I was actually pleasantly surprised watching Carny. It does have its problems, but for me is one of the more tolerable SyFy channel movies. It does have some beautiful-looking and atmospheric sets and lighting, giving an appropriate nightmarish feeling, good make-up, a surprisingly well-designed and menacing monster, credible performances and a score that doesn't feel at that generic and also fits with the film's tone. Of course it has its problems, the quality of the story and writing are actually vast improvements to previous and succeeding efforts but they are not perfect still. The story has a good if not groundbreaking(though it didn't need to be) concept and is actually mostly interesting, well-paced and with some scenes that are quite nail-biting. Where it is let down though is in the escape of the monster, which I also feel could've been introduced later and with more suspense, and an ending that feels rushed that contrived. The script is not as clichéd or as cheesy thankfully as most of SyFy's resume, but still could have done with more flow in terms of structure. The characters are not as irritating as before or since, however are an uneven mix, the leads are likable and have some depth but most of the supporting roles are rather shallow and not developed as well. The camera work does suffer also from some choppy editing and numerous instances where it zooms in and out which often gave it a rather overly claustrophobic sensation watching Carny. Overall, not perfect but tolerable, with even its flaws having been done worse elsewhere. 5/10 Bethany Cox
    4wes-connors

    Bleeding Characterization

    Small town sheriff Lou Diamond Phillips (as Atlas) has his hands full when a circus arrives. The main attraction is "The Jersey Devil" stolen by carnival manager A.C. Peterson (as "Cap" Caprini) in the opening minutes. Citizens are excited about seeing the animal and other freaky looking people. We're told the people of Reliance have never seen anything like them before. The most normal appearing member of the troupe is psychic Simone-Elise Girard (as Samara). She predicts doom and tries to explain "Jersey Devil" origins. For some reason, Ms. Girard feels "safe" with her boss, who is arguably more wicked than his monster...

    God-fearing pastor Vlasta Vrana (as Owen) believes the circus will bring sin to the community and starts to campaign against "God's abomination." Ironically, his juvenile delinquent son Matt Murray (as Taylor) triggers the rampage of "Jersey Devil". The flying terror is supposed to be heavily sedated, but seems incredibly alert. The beast is called a "freak of nature" and resembles a gargoyle. It appears to be intelligent - and it's more thoughtfully constructed than the story. The supernatural and Christian religion may have some connection. Maybe the creature is just mad. The gargoyle and Kyle Gatehouse (as Jesse) are nicely done.

    **** Carny (4/25/09) Sheldon Wilson ~ Lou Diamond Phillips, Alan C. Peterson, Simone-Elise Girard, Vlasta Vrana

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Goofs
      A stilt walker crosses behind Lou and in the next scene is at ground level minus the jacket, spinning a fire staff as Lou walks toward him.
    • Connections
      References Predator (1987)
    • Soundtracks
      Pray for Dawn
      Music by Terry Plumeri

      Lyrics by Lou Diamond Phillips

      Performed by Lou Diamond Phillips

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    FAQ

    • What is 'Carny' about?
    • Is 'Carny' based on a book?
    • What is the legendary Jersey Devil?

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • April 25, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • Canada
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Karnaval
    • Filming locations
      • Metcalfe, Ontario, Canada
    • Production companies
      • RHI Entertainment
      • Muse Entertainment Enterprises
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 28 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.66 : 1

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    Carny (2009)
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