Jen (Jennifer Seward, I am Lisa) escapes her horrid life – a deadbeat husband and monotonous day job – by entertaining people dressed as a clown, Jenn-O. It’s been her solace since her younger years, when she chose to cope by drawing into herself, but as an adult, she’s been pushed too far, and carries out a killing spree over Halloween night.
Director Patrick Rea (They Wait in the Dark) and writer Eric Winkler expand their earlier short with this impressive depiction of needing fame for validation. The film opens at the end of the story, with clown Jen holding a detective hostage in a face-off against the officer who’s been tracking her down. Going back twenty years, we then get to see what’s driven a precocious, thoughtful child to snap and become a fame-hungry serial killer.
Seward is superb as the title character, whose dreams and self-worth have been thwarted, not just by life but also by those around her. Rea takes his time to make sure we understand Jenn-O, making her relatable. That is, until things kick off, then there’s plenty of gore, with Jenn-O doing some heinous things. Yet she still has our sympathy. That changes with the lingering final shot, however, which is genuinely chilling.
There’s an oppressive atmosphere throughout, which enhances the juxtaposition of the brutal murders and Jenn-O’s stoic demeanour. Rea also peppers the movie with pitch-black humour, making the grim realities of Jen’s world a little more palatable.
SUPER HAPPY FUN CLOWN is available to stream on BloodStreamTV and to rent or buy on other digital platforms in the US.
