Stitches

Ben & Jerry’s presents new brain flavored ice cream - limited time only!

Clown movies don’t typically pique my interest.  I initially saw this title on some comprehensive list of “Best horror movies to come out in 2013.”  Respectively, the description that stood out to me was intestine balloon animals.  There was no way I couldn’t watch after that.  

Richard Grindle (Ross Noble) is a disgruntled man.  He’s pretty lousy at his job - a children’s party clown that goes by the name Stitches.  It’s not surprising when he shows up late to Tom’s (Tommy Knight) 11th birthday party.  The bratty guests are clearly unimpressed by Stitches’ act.  Some youthful shenanigans happen, haphazardly causing the clown to trip and fatally collapse on a kitchen knife.  Fast forward 6 years - Tom, still a little traumatized from the past event, is now a socially awkward teenger about to turn 17.  He elects to throw a huge “teen film” type party - inviting all his childhood friends.  Unbeknownst to Tom and his guests, Stitches has emanated from the grave and is set on retaliation.  He does not intend on deterring his plan until every original party guest is massacred in the most merciless way possible.  

What an astounding surprise this movie was!  By the conclusion, I was fully enamored.  It was everything I love - a gorey, black comedy horror.  Ross Noble, a stand up comedian, gave an eccentric portrayal of Stitches the clown.  Maybe the plot wasn’t entirely authentic - but I enjoyed the fact that the film was predominantly paying homage to “Killer Clown Horror Films.”  What makes the movie stand out from the rest, are the beautifully handcrafted murder scenes.  The deaths are excruciating and outlandish in their conception.  My favorite, being, an ice cream scoop straight to the brain.  Yeesh.  Allegedly, there were complaints about this movie being low budget - but I didn’t notice.  Directed by Conor McMahon, Stitches is a risque, whimsical story that can be enjoyed by any Campy Horror fan.  

You can stream online at Netflix, or purchase on Apple iTunes, Google Play, Vudu and Xbox.