Reviews: Clownado (2019) Movie Review
- Related: [ Movie Details for Clownado ]
Subgenres: Comedy, Gore, Clowns, Splatter
Horror fans will enjoy our review of Clownado (2019), where we cover its story, scares, and how it ranks among modern horror classics.
Clownado (2019) is exactly what the title promises—an unhinged mashup of killer clowns and storm-driven chaos. Directed by cult filmmaker Todd Sheets, this indie horror throwback follows a group of demonic clowns conjured through supernatural means who embark on a bloody road trip of revenge, tornado-style.
Clownado (2019) – A Storm of Gore, Greasepaint, and Grindhouse Gimmicks
Plot, Themes, and Character Development
The story revolves around Savannah, a woman who attempts to escape her abusive relationship with Big Ronnie, the ringleader of the clown gang. But Ronnie, not content with letting her go, uses black magic to summon a vortex of killer clowns to hunt her down. Along the way, a ragtag group of survivors gets pulled into the madness, including a drifter, a stripper, and a tough-talking cowboy.
Themes like domestic abuse, revenge, and demonic possession are present, but in the most surface-level, exploitation-centric way possible. There’s little room for character growth—each persona exists primarily as cannon fodder for the next splatter sequence.
Acting and Cinematography
The performances in Clownado range from over-the-top to amateurish. Rachel Lagen delivers a somewhat grounded performance as Savannah, but most of the cast, including John O’Hara as Big Ronnie, play their roles with cartoonish intensity. While that might suit the grindhouse tone, it often crosses into cringe territory.
Visually, the film revels in its low-budget aesthetic. Shot with a gritty, throwback filter, the cinematography leans heavily into late-night horror host vibes, complete with garish lighting, cheap-looking storm effects, and gooey practical gore. The blood flows freely, but it’s the kind of red corn syrup excess that feels less terrifying and more like an FX school demo reel.
Directing Style, Strengths, and Weaknesses
Todd Sheets has a long history in underground horror, and Clownado feels like a passion project pulled straight from a VHS fever dream. His direction embraces camp, sleaze, and gore, creating something that would be right at home in a 1980s video rental horror bin. However, the tone is wildly inconsistent—some scenes aim for serious horror, others for slapstick, and the result is jarring.
There’s also an issue with pacing. For a film with such an outrageous premise, Clownado spends far too much time spinning its wheels before it unleashes the titular tornado of clowns. The middle section drags under poorly delivered exposition and underdeveloped subplots.
Strengths:
Ridiculously unique concept – killer clowns + tornado = attention-grabbing horror gimmick
Practical effects – plenty of old-school gore for fans of DIY horror
Nostalgic grindhouse feel, complete with sleaze and camp
Weaknesses:
Inconsistent tone – shifts between horror and comedy without balance
Weak acting – performances often feel forced or amateur
Low production quality – storm effects and sound design are rough
Overlong and poorly paced, especially in the second act
Final Verdict & Score: 3/10
Clownado is a blood-soaked mess that will appeal to a very specific niche of horror fans who love outrageous B-movie energy. For most viewers, though, it’s a test of patience and tolerance for bad acting, cheap effects, and chaotic storytelling. Its title is its best joke—and the rest of the film never quite lives up to that absurd promise.
Sources Used to Shape This Review
Insights in this review are drawn from director interviews, fan commentary, production notes, and long-form breakdowns across genre-specific platforms. Content is written uniquely and reviewed for accuracy.
- Clownado Rating Scores
- Our Score: 3/10
- Overall Score: 3.20/10
- IMDB: 3.3/10
Look here for more movies starting with C and here you can find 2019 movies to watch on your favorite streaming service.