Panic Fest 2025 featured the latest film by director Patrick Rea (I Am Lisa, Nailbiter) and writer Eric Winkler (I Am Lisa). Based on their short film of the same name, Super Happy Fun Clown tells the story of Jennifer. A former child prodigy, Jennifer struggles to make ends meet at a dead end job, supports her horrible husband, and deals with a disappointed and overbearing mother. At her breaking point, Jennifer uses her love of clowns and passion for serial killers as inspiration for a night of carnage.

Rea and Winkler introduce a complicated character in Super Happy Fun Clown. When Jennifer was a kid, she was the smartest in her class and a talented actress. Her mother constantly pushed her to be the greatest so Jennifer could become rich and famous. As an adult, Jennifer’s life is less than glamorous. The only thing that brings Jennifer joy is turning into Jenn-o the Clown after work to put smiles on the faces of kids in the park. Eventually, Jenn-o has enough. She missed her chance at becoming a famous child star or going to school to be a doctor, but there’s another way to become a household name. Learning from her idols such as John Wayne Gacy and Jeffrey Dahmer, Jenn-o goes on a Halloween killing spree that is sure to allow her to achieve her dreams of stardom.

Throughout Super Happy Fun Clown, it can be difficult to determine the tone of each scene. Sometimes it’s clearly meant to deliver laughs, but the deeper, more personal aspects add a more serious edge. It’s a tragic story because Jennifer’s life didn’t have to turn out this way. Her mother put too much pressure on her from an early age and continued her obsession with Jennifer becoming famous well into adulthood. It’s hard not to feel bad for Jennifer after seeing what her life became, especially with no real support system to help her work through her financial, familial, and mental health issues. While it doesn’t make her crimes any less horrific, it does make Jennifer a sympathetic character. It also leads to a few bizarre moments that hint at just how unhinged this character is, specifically when it comes to sex, but those moments also feel a bit out of place with the rest of the film.

The film rests on the shoulders of Jennifer Seward (I Am Lisa, The Stylist) as Jenn-o the Clown. When Seward acts as Jennifer, she’s generally quite meek and dejected. The moment she puts on the clown makeup and clothes to become Jenn-o, Seward really shines. She doesn’t speak when in her clown getup, so she primarily communicates and expresses herself through facial expressions and body language, sometimes with the help of pen and paper. Seward is great at flipping the switch between Jennifer and Jenn-o. There’s a clear divide between the two personas that highlights her joy when being a clown, even as Jenn-o carries out her heinous crimes. Other standout performances in Super Happy Fun Clown come from Nicole Hall (I Am Lisa), Deborah Madick (The Bell Affair), and Matt Leisy (The Friend).

Despite the low budget, Super Happy Fun Clown creates some eye-catching visuals. Right away audiences will take notice of Jenn-o’s makeup and wardrobe. Her look is constantly changing, allowing for variety rarely seen in killer clown movies. The practical effects are also a highlight. The gore is well done with plenty of blood and guts, but what really stands out is a gradually decaying body. It’s gruesome to look at, and the changes shown over time leave a lasting impression. The production design for the most part is simplistic, until the climax of Super Happy Fun Clown. It takes place in a Halloween haunted house with elaborate horror sets, fog machines, and neon lights to create the perfect backdrop for Jenn-o’s crimes.

Super Happy Fun Clown takes a playful, sometimes silly approach to a story of shattered dreams, the weight of expectations, and unbridled slaughter. Rea and Winkler once again showcase their ability to create a complex character that’s as relatable as they are diabolical. Sometimes the various themes and tones lack cohesion, but the goofiness helps make for a fun watch. Seward gives a compelling performance, but really shines with her physicality when in silent clown mode. The Halloween setting and practical gore will likely make Super Happy Fun Clown a frequent rewatch for horror fans each spooky season.

OVERALL RATING: 6/10