By Christine Caprilozzi
Circus of the Dead- Review
Rating: 8 out of 10
Synopsis: A man becomes entangled in a deadly morality game when the circus comes to town and a sadistic clown forces him to examine the things in life he takes for granted in the most horrific ways.
Our thoughts: As someone who thoroughly enjoyed Billy Pon’s incredibly eerie “Doll Boy,” I couldn’t wait to see what he had in store with “Circus of the Dead.” Not only gory, but severely sinister, this film delivers. So put away the sparklers, because this is NOT Barnum and Bailey.
Along with the blood and guts, the underlying theme forces a man feeling frustrated with his “suffocating life” really do some deep thinking. In the same vein as “Saw,” the psychological element of the film is about self discovery and regret, as the clowns administer justice during their chaotic act.
Stealing the show, however, is the horrific and downright dark imagery. Pon does a fantastic job of bringing the shock and awe in an intense and creepy way. Cruising around in a ’68 Camaro armed with dark humor, as well as guns, handcuffs, staplers, electric carving knives, and really anything else you can think of, these clowns gnaw at your deepest fears. Bill Oberst, Jr. is demented, devilish and absolutely brilliant in this film. Parrish Randall also gives a standout performance as a man physically and psychologically tortured while trying desperately to find his daughters alive.
“Circus of the Dead” truly is disturbing, yet you can’t look away. If you have a fear of clowns, Papa Corn will most definitely give you nightmares. Horror fiends will devour this gore fest peppered with the most evil of sarcasm. If you are prepared to see a film so menacing it will stay with you for days, “Circus of the Dead” is a must!
