The Horror Show
Haunted Maze
by Susan Engel
CLOWNS! Did I scare ya? Sorry about that, I didn't mean to — CLOWNS! How about that time? The point I'm so subtly making is that people love scary clowns. From Pennywise to Killer Klowns From Outer Space to the sinister harlequin of All Hallows' Eve they are perfect for a good scare. There's just something about the painted faces and energetic nature that makes them creepy. Clowns don't have to be supernatural to be fearsome, however. Just look at Rob Zombie's Captain Spaulding. There was even a real-life killer clown operating back in the 70s. This is all relevant because the latest horror flick I have viewed is by the name of Haunted Maze and at the center of it is a clown that just may be a killer. But is he?
Haunted Maze begins with a scene that I won't spoil but will say becomes important later on. We then are taken to the arrest of a clown named Clancy (David Mingrino). The rest of the movie is set up in the form of a police interrogation that takes us into the night at hand. A group of teenagers have been murdered and one is missing. The last time they were seen they were going into the haunted maze provided by Clancy and his traveling circus. Thanks to video footage throughout the event, Clancy is shown the evidence and given the opportunity to explain. What went down and how it all happened is the center of the film and the rest is just a lead up to the inevitable conclusion.
The film is structured in a unique way. It isn't filled with slasher-style kills and most of the running time is just the cops asking questions and the teens being teens. While the murders do appear on screen it's more of an outcome than a beat-by-beat aspect of the film and I'm still not sure if this was a good idea or not. On the one hand, it's different. On the other hand, there's a reason most films of this type stick to the slasher trope and have the kills spread out. It keeps the film engaging and gives the viewer more reason to want to continue. I'm not saying that Haunted Maze is boring, but I could have gone for a little more punch stitched into the film's running time.
David Mingrino gives it his all as Clancy and I give him credit for that. He doesn't hold back and does his best to be menacing and come across as disturbed. He didn't send chills down my spine or anything, but he gives a more than competent performance. The rest of the cast is fine and there isn't a particular low note in that category.
In the end, I can't help but feel Haunted Maze comes across more like the setup to something greater than a standalone project. It has some good elements but also feels as though it is lacking something. It could just be the style or it could be that there was originally more planned. Either way I will say that I was never especially bored with the film and it has a good enough grasp on itself. So, if you like horror movies that roll with the carnival lifestyle you may want to consider checking out Haunted Maze.
P.J. Griffin, HMS
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