When making a film, it’s important to have a good title. Sometimes the name of a movie alone is enough to find an audience. Alternately, having a boring title can often buy a one-way ticket to obscurity. When it comes to insane movie titles that are bound to leave fans scratching their heads and dying to know what they could possibly be, none are as strong as Todd Sheets’ newest film, Clownado.
Is this a tornado that’s picked up some circus performers, ala Sharknado? Is it a deadly vortex that wears a rainbow wig and a red nose? Perhaps it’s a clown with a real knack for spinning? The answer is somehow even more bonkers than any of these scenarios. Sheets’ new film is a flurry of insane gore, nudity, and mayhem that will leave audiences constantly asking themselves, “What the hell am I watching?”
To try to sum up the plot of Clownado would not do justice to the lunacy of this film. It opens with a scene that’s a modern take on the classic “film noir” movies of the ’40s and ’50s. The light from streetlamps pours through the blinds onto the walls, a 1940s dialect is spoken, and there are fedoras, suspenders, and forbidden romance. It’s clear that Sheets wanted to write a love letter to the films of this genre. From here, the movie completely spirals into cinematic psychosis.
We have a troupe of murderous clowns led by the frighteningly enthusiastic Big Ronnie (John O’Hara), a witch (played by amputee ex-porn star Jeanne Silver), an African American Elvis impersonator, a strip club, more gore than most can stomach, a presumably undead heroine with a meat fork and a knife stuffed in her severed arm stump, you name it. Suffice it to say that this movie is one that needs to be seen to be believed.
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The cast boasts some familiar faces for fans of horror and exploitation. Everyone’s favorite scream queen, Linnea Quigley, appears as Spider, the surly bar owner. Over-the-top actor and Tim Ritter film regular Joel D. Wynkoop (Creep) has a memorable role as Memphis Hawk. Eileen Dietz, who famously portrayed the face of the Pazuzu in The Exorcist, appears as Christine. The cast also includes Todd Sheets’ frequent cast members like Antwoine Steele (Dreaming Purple Neon), Dilynne Fawn Harvey (Bonehill Road), Douglas Epps (Bonehill Road), and more.
Fans of Sheets’ films will find that Clownado hits the marks that his films are known and loved for. The gore is relentless and gruesome. There are multiple disembowelings, stabbings, gunshots, amputations, a countertop curb-stomping, and a body pulled in half by the legs, this movie pulls no punches. Even seasoned gorehounds are bound to find themselves wincing at some of the violent acts depicted in this film. Clownado also has frantic pacing.
It starts with the seemingly “normal” noir conversation scene and quickly descends into complete madness. From this point, the movie becomes exceedingly delirious and deranged. By the time we get to the female evil clown’s boobs developing monstrous mouths with fangs, we know we’re in for complete absurdity.
Clownado is probably not for everyone. It’s offensive, violent, batshit crazy, and at times nearly impossible to follow, but for fans of low-budget gore, clown horror, and movies that pride themselves on being weird as hell, this movie is a must-see. Fans of Todd Sheets’ filmography will surely relish adding this one to their collections. Grab some fellow horror & exploitation lovers, grab some beers, put on your grease paint, and gather around the tube, Clownado is worth taking for a spin at your next freaky movie party.
Thank you so much!!! It was a very difficult film to finish on our budget, and it was a rough ride even in Post Production. But reading kind words like this makes it all worthwhile. On behalf of everyone who worked so hard to make this donut reality, it is an honor. We truly appreciate your support.