BIG TOP EVIL
Serving a life sentence for murder, Jay is given the chance for a retrial – when a cold-case lawyer hears his story. It’s a story no one believes. And what a story it is. On a road trip to visit the infamous ‘Mangrove Slasher’ location, Jay and four friends find themselves lost in red-neck hell. What begins as a wrong turn becomes an eerie tale that explodes into a nightmare of unspeakable bloodshed at the hands of a cadre of crazed cannibal clowns. Literally the circus from hell. Jay is the only survivor, his six friends enduring the most horrific deaths at the hands of these lunatic laugh-meisters. By sheer luck, after passing out, Jay escapes, covered in the blood of his friend Casey, only to be arrested for her murder. The bodies are never found, the clowns are gone, leaving Jay the only witness and, in the eyes of law enforcement, the perpetrator of these heinous crimes. Is Jay telling the truth? Is this some sick circus story? Or is Jay a psycho, just clowning around?
Director: Sean Haitz, and Chris Potter
Writers: Sean Haitz, and J Paul Morrisey
Stars: Sean Haitz, Bill Moseley, Austin Judd, J. LaRose, Jisaura Cardinale, Grace Haitz
Rating: 5 / 10 Stars
REVIEW – BIG TOP EVIL invites viewers into the sinister world of the circus, promising a nightmarish thrill ride. The film follows a group of friends who stumble upon an abandoned and haunted circus, setting the stage for a terrifying encounter with supernatural forces. While the concept of a haunted circus is inherently intriguing, the film’s execution leaves room for improvement.
One of the film’s strengths lies in its eerie atmosphere and setting. The abandoned circus creates a genuinely creepy backdrop for the unfolding horrors, with rusting rides and tattered tents adding to the unsettling ambiance. The use of low lighting and shadowy corners enhances the sense of foreboding, effectively immersing the audience in a world of dread.
However, where BIG TOP EVIL falls short is in its character development. The protagonists feel underdeveloped, and their actions at times seem inconsistent with their personalities. This lack of depth in the characters makes it challenging to connect with or root for them, diminishing the emotional impact of their harrowing experiences.
The film’s pacing is another aspect that leaves room for improvement. While horror films often benefit from a gradual buildup of tension, BIG TOP EVIL occasionally suffers from uneven pacing. There are moments of slow, atmospheric buildup, but these are sometimes followed by abrupt scares that can feel disjointed rather than organically integrated into the narrative.
In terms of scares and horror elements, BIG TOP EVIL does have its moments. The film employs a variety of classic horror techniques, such as jump scares and eerie visuals, to deliver its frights. Some of these moments are genuinely unsettling and succeed in creating a sense of dread.
However, the film’s reliance on familiar horror tropes can also work against it. Viewers familiar with the genre may find certain scares predictable, and the film doesn’t bring much originality to the table in terms of its supernatural elements.
In conclusion, BIG TOP EVIL offers a decent horror experience with moments of genuine creepiness. The film’s atmospheric setting and occasional scares contribute to its appeal. However, it falls short in terms of character development and originality, hindering its potential for a more immersive and engaging horror narrative.
Taking all factors into account, BIG TOP EVIL receives a rating of 5/10. While it has its strengths and moments of effective horror, it ultimately doesn’t reach the level of depth and innovation needed to stand out in the crowded genre of supernatural horror films.
BIG TOP EVIL | Official Trailer:
