“Because they’re clowns, that’s why!”
There’s no way I chose Killer Klowns From Outer Space the first time I watched it. The title alone was too goofy, and the box art (a clown arm with an Earth spinning on its finger) wasn’t that inspiring either. I had this one friend who would choose movies just based on the titles, and Klowns must have tickled his funny bone. The Klowns on the back DID look kinda cool, though. Whoever chose the flick, I was pleasantly surprised by Killer Klowns. The opening scenes didn’t inspire confidence, but the minute the first Klown appeared, the whole thing started to be significantly more entertaining. And yes, they have to be spelled with a ‘K.’
I was sold, and as bad as it can sometimes be – the Chiodo brothers will, on the commentary track, gleefully point out things like an actor staring straight at the camera during a scene – there’s a certain energy to the film that carries you along, even when the title monsters aren’t on screen. It’s not necessarily good, but it’s damn fun.
I’ve watched it a few times since then, and I’m always struck by how bad and how enjoyable it is at the same time.
The Medium
I have the MGM Blu-ray release from 2012, which comes with a fair amount of extras. There’s also a “remastered” Blu-ray from Arrow, released in 2018 and a brand new (as of May 2024) 4k release from Shout Factory. I’ve heard good things about the newer releases, but as the last time I saw the film was probably on DVD, the MGM release worked for me. For streaming options, Killer Klowns From Outer Space is available for subs on Hoopla, free with ads on Vudu, Tubi and Pluto, and can be rented or purchased at the usual online vendors.
The Movie
The plot of Killer Klowns From Outer Space is going to be familiar to anyone who has seen a 1950’s monster movie. A menace from the stars lands in a remote location, it’s seen by local teenagers, but they can’t get the authorities to believe them. It’s basically a riff on The Blob, and it’s pretty by-the-numbers. The actors are a bit too camp in their performances, and the writing is generally just okay. It’s a late-eighties B-movie with the talent and budget that generally implies, though I will admit just about everyone seems to be having a good time.
Where Klowns excels, however, is in its monsters (and in its set design as well). The Killer Klowns themselves are fantastic creations – brightly hued, fleshy monstrosities with the ability to appear both goofy and menacing. The Klowns and their vehicles (everything from their big top spacecraft to the Klown Kar) are all fantastic – and the interiors are a black-light nightmare circus. It’s the monsters and their shtick that makes the film, and to the Chiodo brother’s credit, they know to keep them on the screen as much as possible.
Much attention is paid to various Klown ‘kills’ – including a deadly shadow puppet show, a biker gang boxing match and acid pies. At one point the Klowns are shown walking down a street with some sort of ‘people sweeper,’ using their ray guns to wrap people in something like cotton candy and then sucking them up for later. (There’s a scene with a Klown and an impossibly large straw that shows exactly why they’re interested in abducting people. Gah.)
I imagine that for people who have coulrophobia this movie is probably excruciating. There’s always a little something creepy about clowns, and this movie exaggerates everything strange about them. Despite their monstrous appearance, they’re still capable of appearing entertaining, even endearing – but that can turn on a dime. And watch out for that giant hammer held behind the back.
There’s even one genuinely horrifying scene – where the hardass cop, Mooney (John Vernon) is used as a ‘live’ ventriloquest dummy. When the Klown withdraws its hand and flings viscera away it’s just a little darker than the rest of the film has been.
As the Klown invasion progresses it’ll be up to our heroes Mike (Grant Cramer), Debbie (Suzanne Snyder), local cop Dave (John Allen Nelson) and the ice-cream-truck-driving Terenzi brothers (Michael S. Siegel and Peter Licassi) to save the day. They’ll infiltrate the alien spaceship, but need to be on the lookout for JoJo – the Klownzilla.
Yes. I said Klownzilla.
The Bottom Line
Killer Klowns From Outer Space serves as a parody of 50’s sci-fi, but it’s honestly not that interested in making any points about it. The template just serves as a starting point for the Chiodo brothers and their cast and crew to have as much fun as they possibly can. The film is just plain fun, and punches way above its weight class when it comes to the monsters. It’s not great cinema, but it is totally worth a view. If you’re not afraid of clowns, that is.
Apparently a sequel/remake cable series is being shopped around by the Chiodo brothers. I’m not sure it needs one… but I’d probably watch it.
