Welcome to Movie Mondays, a weekly blog series that takes you on a cinematic odyssey through the world of film! Each week, we’ll dive into a list of my 100 least favorite movies, exploring what makes them fall short and discussing the lessons we can learn from their missteps. Remember that these low-ranking films are only that way based on my personal opinion. Something I hate may be something you love and no offense is intended. Wherever these movies fall for you, I invite you to grab some popcorn and join in on the debate over these films’ merits!

Killer Klowns from Outer Space

1988

Directed by Stephen Chiodo

Alright, folks, it’s time to dive into the cotton candy-coated nightmare that is Killer Klowns from Outer Space. Released in 1988, this sci-fi horror comedy was directed by the Chiodo Brothers, who also created the film’s practical effects and makeup. I’ll be honest, as someone with a deep-seated fear of clowns, this movie is the stuff of my personal nightmares.

The plot, if you can call it that, revolves around a clan of evil alien clowns who arrive on Earth to capture, kill, and harvest humans for sustenance. It’s like a twisted version of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, but with more red noses and oversized shoes. The film stars Grant Cramer, Suzanne Snyder, John Allen Nelson, and John Vernon, who all do their best to keep straight faces while battling these intergalactic jesters.

One of the film’s standout features is its use of practical effects, including rubber suits and a $7,000 prop popcorn gun that took six weeks to build. The Klowns themselves are a grotesque spectacle, with their colorful costumes and exaggerated features that only serve to heighten the sense of unease. The Chiodo Brothers’ background in special effects shines through, even if the end result is the stuff of coulrophobic nightmares.

The movie’s climax features a giant Klown marionette named Jojo the Klownzilla, which was originally intended to be brought to life through stop-motion animation but ultimately ended up being a guy in a rubber suit. This change in plans perfectly encapsulates the film’s balance of ambition and budgetary constraints.

While Killer Klowns from Outer Space has gained a cult following over the years, I have to admit that I’m not among its fans. Call me a wimp, but I prefer my clowns confined to tiny cars and squirting flowers, not wielding ray guns and cocooning hapless victims in cotton candy. The film’s dark humor and inventive visuals are commendable, but for me, the clown factor is simply too high to overcome.

In conclusion, if you’re a fan of B-movies, practical effects, and aren’t haunted by the mere thought of clowns, Killer Klowns from Outer Space might be right up your alley. For me, however, it’s a one-way ticket to Nopeville. But hey, that’s just my coulrophobic two cents. Feel free to share your thoughts on this cult classic in the comments below – unless you’re dressed as a clown, in which case, please stay far, far away from me.