This Clown's Kills Make Pennywise and Art Look Like Amateurs

Killer clowns are ever-present in the horror genre, from Stephen King's Pennywise to Terrifier's Art the Clown. However, there is one horror clown who is more brutal than his much more well-known counterparts, the titular clown in the 2012 horror movie, Stitches. Played by comedian Ross Noble, Stitches is less exaggerated than other horror clowns and is instead a man totally disillusioned with his profession. This doesn't hold him back from inflicting extremely gory deaths on a group of teenagers though. In fact, the deaths in Stitches aren't just gory, they're innovative and thematic, and allow Stitches to feel like a well-thought-out and realized antagonist. The movie grapples with the balance between gore and humor with small nuances, and it is this attention to detail that really lets the brutality of Stitches hit home. As a whole, Stitches can feel a little disjointed, and the moments without the titular clown are fairly unimaginative teen interactions. But, these moments are only fleeting and the death sequences are so impressive that it lets the movie get away with its lulls. Stitches proves he is more than worthy of a place in the lineup of iconic killer clowns.