PopHorror Let's Get Scared
It’s a surreal moment when you finally get to watch a film that you’ve been hearing about for years, riding the wave from its initial conception to the eventual post-production. You build up an expectation of what it will be like, hoping against hope that it’s everything you want it to be. It’s a bit nerve wracking as you sit down with the remote in your hand, about to push play…
Yes, I finally watched Crepitus!
PopHorror has been on Team Crepitus since day one. We’ve shown you the sizzle trailer. We had the first image of Bill Moseley in character. Remember when filming started? We interviewed Raiden Moore and Caitlyn Williams, although Raiden ended up not being apart of the film. We also talked to Eve Mauro and Chalet Brannan! Crepitus red beer? Posters in Times Square? Red carpet premiere? Yep, yep, yep! We were there for all of it!
And now it’s time for the review…
With a screenplay by Eddie and Sarah Renner, Crepitus stars Bill Moseley (House of 1000 Corpses franchise, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 1986), Eve Mauro (Dexter TV series, CSI Miami TV series), Chalet Brannan (Cyborg X 2016, Star Trek: Captain Pike 2016), Lance Paul (Dark Roads 79 2017 (which also stars Bill Moseley), My Crazy Sex 2017), and Caitlin Williams (read our other interview with her here) in her feature film debut.
Official Synopsis Crepitus:
Seventeen-year-old Elizabeth and her younger sister, Sam, are thrust into circumstances more terrifying than life with their abusive, drunken mother when they are forced to move into their deceased grandfather’s house. Frightened beyond belief, they are forced to learn horrible things about their family history. Never mind the ghosts in the house, there is something far worse that takes an interest in them… a cannibalistic clown named Crepitus.
I’m delighted to announce that, although this film took many twists and turns I didn’t expect, it was everything I hoped for and more. I would have still loved it even if it hadn’t, but it’s a sigh of relief to know something we’ve supported since day one is truly a work of art. However, let me make note of this right away, Haynze Whitmore’s Crepitus is a film that you’ll need to watch more than once to fully understand everything. Hell, I’ve re-watched bits and piece numerous times as I got ready to write this review.
In the past two years, several clowns movies have came out, including IT and Terrifier. Just like those two films, Crepitus is completely different all around. The only similarity is a sadistic clown. I will say that Crepitus is far more fucked up than Pennywise and Art, though.
“From your fertile womb, daughter, two I will pluck. One I’ll eat, the other I’ll fuck!”
Yes, you read that correctly. Crepitus not only eats his children, but fucks them as well. So, if you ask me, he wins the award for most deranged clown of all time. Bill Moseley knocked it out of the park with this role, as I knew would. He makes being perverse a work of art. His character is unnerving and made me want to take a hot shower.
Although Bill is brilliant, he’s not the only stand out in Crepitus. In fact, all of the actors are all wonderful. Caitlin Williams is flawless in her first feature debut and delivers a fierce performance that shows she was the right choice for this role. Chalet Brannan shines as per usual and delivers a courageous and optimistic performance as Sam. In many ways, this character is a lot like Chalet in real life… a survivor.
Then there is Eve Mauro who absolutely killed it in her role as the kids’ mother. I honestly didn’t know who I hated more at first, her or Crepitus. She was horrifying and ruthless. You can almost smell the stench of alcohol radiating from her body and that laugh was utterly brilliant. Her character reminded me a bit of Baby from Rob Zombie’s House of 1000 Corpses, but far more fucked up if you can believe it.
Along with the great performances, the set design, makeup, and cinematography were exceptional. The house looks like a place where something evil would reside and appears to be rotting from the inside out. There’s a lot of intense, vivid flashback scenes that suck you into the film and make you feel like you’re right there, watching the horror front and center. Crepitus’ makeup is simple yet terrifyingly perfect. Although it’s not so much his appearance that will send goosebumps down your spine but rather his shameful actions.
There’s a lot to this story. Like I mentioned earlier before, Crepitus is a film that you’ll want to revisit to fully understand everything. There’s clues hidden throughout, so pay attention to everything. It’s not your average sadistic clown story and that’s what makes it stand out from the rest. Eddie and Sarah Renner created something sadistically depraved, a horror fiend’s worst nightmare.
Final Thoughts on Crepitus:
If you adore fucked up clown movies, Crepitus takes it to whole new level of horrifying madness. The trailers barely give you a taste of what’s to come, and the film delivers much more than you can imagine. It’s not without flaws, but those flaws don’t take away from the film at all. If anything, they make it more all the more perfect. The release date is still in the works, but we will keep you updated on all things Crepitus, as we always do!
