Horror Movie Review: Killjoy 3 (2010)

One of Full Moon Pictures more famous franchises. How Killjoy every managed to get one sequel let alone several is head-scratching. After a so-so start back with the original in 2000, the follow-up Killjoy 2: Deliverance from Evil shat the bed hard. You can read our review of the first film here and the sequel here.

Putting it bluntly there was no desire to see any further films about the killer clown. However, before we saw any of the sequels we had seen and reviewed the fifth film in the franchise, Killjoy’s Psycho Circus. A movie that was entertaining but seemed miles away from the original. You can read our review of Psycho Circus here.

When did Killjoy get so ‘buff’? Where on earth did Punchie, Freakshow and Batty Boop come from? When did he become a poor-man’s Freddy Kruger spitting out bad puns left and right?

This movie. This is the movie that took Killjoy in a totally different direction and honestly? It’s better for it. The original idea wasn’t working so why not take it somewhere different? That’s exactly what Full Moon did 8 years after Killjoy 2.

The story sees a group of college students throwing a party at their professor’s house while he is out of town. The next day a package is delivered addressed to the prof and the kids decide to look inside. What they find is an antique mirror that they place on the wall. This mirror happens to be a gateway to Killjoy’s world. Where the clown and his new trio of minions are trapped. Get sucked in and die in Killjoy’s world and you’ll die in the real world.

The students realise this after having several confrontations with the clown and his posse but have no idea how to stop him. It’s only when the professor arrives that they discover the truth. In a clever call-back to the original, the professor is revealed to be the father of Michael, the boy from the first film and he trapped Killjoy in the mirror.

The clown wants revenge though…

Killjoy 3 is a real step forward for the franchise. For starters, Trent Haaga is so much better in the role of the clown. He nails the comedic timing and silliness of the Killjoy premise while also having the size and demeanour to be threatening too. The inclusion of a trio of minions was clever too and each one brings a little something extra to the screen. Batty Boop (Victoria De Mare) who was clearly inspired by Harley Quinn, Punchie (Al Burke) and Freakshow (Tai Chan Ngo).

The rest of the cast are also a step forward for what we expect in a Killjoy movie. Far better acting and far less stereotypical characters. Although they are not the focal point of the movie, that’s Killjoy of course.

The story is far improved too and more in line with what we expect from a modern Full Moon Pictures movie. It’s far funnier, far more tongue in cheek and far bloodier than any of the films in the series that came before it.

It’s not out and out gore and some of the CGI looks ropy but when practical visuals are employed it does look good. Just check out the makeup on Killjoy and his minions!

The best film in the franchise so far and a return to form for Full Moon. It awaits to be seen if they can follow that up with Killjoy Goes to Hell!