'Super Happy Fun Clown' Review: A Killer Clown Horror That Juggles Laughter and Terror
- Romey Norton
- Sep 5
- 3 min read
By Romey Norton - September 5, 2025
Clowns and horror have always gone hand in hand. From It to Terrifier, the painted grin has become shorthand for nightmare fuel. But Patrick Rea’s Super Happy Fun Clown, which premiered at FrightFest 2025, takes that familiar imagery and twists it into something stranger, darker, and at times funnier than you might expect.
What is the film Super Happy Fun Clown about?
Written by Erik Winkler, the film follows Jennifer, a former child prodigy whose adult life has fizzled into disappointment. She’s underpaid, overlooked, and undermined at every turn, by a domineering mother, a washed-up husband, and a job that smothers any hint of creativity. Her escape comes in the form of “Jenn-O the Clown,” a side gig where she entertains kids.
We begin by watching how a lovely young girl’s obsession for clowns turns from sweet to sinister. Very early on the film mentions the notorious clown killer John Wayne Gacey, and the sweet girl has grown into a woman with an obsession with famous serial killers.
The film does focus heavily on character building, and some scenes feel repetitive and become monotonous. I think it is to reflect how our protagonist is feeling, which eventually causes her to snap. What begins as a psychological unraveling turns into a blood-spattered rampage, with Jennifer reinventing herself as the titular “Super Happy Fun Clown.” It’s part satire, part slasher, and full horror-fun.
This film is a fresh perspective on a tired trope. By centering the story on a female clown driven by social and personal failures, the film avoids simply rehashing “evil clown” clichés. It feels both satirical and oddly grounded. As Jenn-O, Jennifer Seward gives a layered portrayal; awkwardly comic one moment, chillingly detached the next. Her physicality in the role carries the film.
Jennifer’s transformation into a killer is fascinating to watch, but emotionally she’s a tough sell. The audience may admire her descent without ever fully connecting to it. The supporting characters also lack conviction, especially the police towards the end. They have no drive, no urgency in catching this serial killer clown. This cat and mouse chase could have helped with the film's pacing, as it does feel very slow.
The settings are familiar horror tropes, from haunted houses to carnival rides, and even a cinema screening all become part of Jenn’s grisly playground. Impressive for an indie film. What I enjoyed the most is how it plays with sound and music as the dialogue is very sparse.
Now whilst the film feels fresh and fun, it’s not perfect. At times, the film seems unsure if it wants to be a parody, a psychological thriller, or a straight-up slasher. This tonal juggling act occasionally dilutes the tension. The pacing is very slow, at the end I felt like three hours had gone by, when really it has a respectable 90 minutes runtime.
Is the horror film Super Happy Fun Clown worth watching?
Super Happy Fun Clown isn’t a film for everyone, it’s messy, outrageous, and deliberately provocative. But that’s also its charm. Instead of playing it safe, Patrick Rea delivers a carnival of chaos where awkward laughter and horror bleed into each other. For fans of indie slashers with a quirky edge, this film is a must-watch!
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