All Hallows’ Eve (2013) – “Do you think that clown was real? Someone like that could really exist, right?”

A babysitter finds a videotape in a child’s Halloween candy bag. She watches three terrifying short films:

1) A traveler waits for her train and encounters the pierrot.

2) A cryptic object crashes near Caroline’s house, leading her to discover an alien intruder in her home.

3) A costume designer crosses paths with a murderous jester.

Coulrophobia, the fear of clowns, is one of the most legitimate fears; after all, anyone could hide under that pale makeup like a deranged individual. The face of this terror is no longer Pennywise but Art the clown. Unlike horror antagonists like Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees, Art can sustain lasting injuries, making him a remarkable horror movie villain. This film compiles the first two shorts featuring Art, and while his debut is subdued, he makes a lasting impression with sadistic expressions and a second appearance where he is shown dismembering his victim—a scene that lingers in memory. However, as is often the case with anthology films, the quality varies; the second short, for instance, leans toward a bizarre genre.

Terrifier (2018) – “He thinks what he’s doing is funny because he laughs”

Art the clown, a bloodthirsty killer, brutally slaughters people.

What is coulrophobia? It’s the (ir)rational fear of those supposed-to-be-funny types with white face paint. Art might almost seem comical with his ambiguous grin, exaggerated expressions, sensational pantomimes, little bicycle, and overused horn. The first scene sets the tone for a gruesome, macabre film. Among the murder scenes, I’ve rarely seen such graphic brutality in a simple slasher; one scene is truly torture-porn worthy. This disturbing clown, with a smile as unsettling as it is creepy, fully contributes to the eerie, morbid atmosphere and has already joined the pantheon of iconic horror cinema figures due to his unparalleled sadism. The film's atmosphere is alienating, with scenes of a woman doting on the deranged clown, riding his bicycle or honking a horn. Additionally, the fights against the killer feel more realistic; future victims don’t passively await their fate—they punch, stab, and knock him out. However, the minimalist plot essentially boils down to a tormentor who gouges out and hacks at his victims during barbaric scenes. In short, it’s a work strictly for gore aficionados.

Terrifier 2 (2022) – The Gore Escalates

When did Halloween become synonymous with sex?

The continued killings of Art the clown.

Coming with a notorious reputation, newcomers will be astounded by Art the clown’s spectacular, carnival-like gore, while fans of the first film may be disappointed. This film delivers an orgy of eye-gougings and disembowelments to cover a shaky, almost non-existent storyline that simply boils down to a deranged guy killing people. The excessive gore is justified by absurdly gratuitous and senselessly cruel scenes. However, the special effects and makeup, supervised by the director himself, are truly remarkable. Overall, a film that gets lost in its excesses.