Faceless After Dark

I haven't seen the Terrifier movies so I don't know much about Jenna Kanell. This movie popped up as something I might like and the cover and synopsis were intriguing and I saw it was a new release and figured what the hell. It's been awhile since I've done a review so why not get back at it with another indie horror movie fresh off the market? Faceless After Dark is a movie that lives in its meta world. I haven't seen Terrifier but I can assume that Jenna's decision to make her claim to fame a killer clown movie was motivated by that movie and so the disdain she feels towards everything seems all the more real for it. Everything feels real. The synopsis is a little misleading because it's only a small part of the movie that sets up the events for the real story to begin and I see why some would be bothered by that but once you look past it you get something even better that shouldn't be spoiled here. It's true that Bowie isn't a character that you like right away but everybody else seems worse and I think that might be the point and by the end of it you can see that this movie was a deeply personal one for its writer and star that proves as a catharsis. It isn't perfect but it has something important to say and I think the message was gotten across well, a message that should be heard. It's worth a watch and definitely not deserving of the hate it seems to be getting here. See for yourself.

A struggling actress who only had one hit, with an indie horror slasher involving a clown, gets countless trolls who troll her on the internet, and she gets turned down constantly by auditions. So one night she gets drunk and passes out only to wake up and find out that someone in a clown mask has broken in. Faceless After Dark oozes in its neon style, and is reminiscent of 80s horror. From its quick runtime, to its flashy charm, Faceless After Dark was really fascinating to me. It stars the upcoming Jenna Kanell, of Terrifier and Redfield fame.

She does great in the role, and fades into the character seemingly. She brings a lot of personality and charm to the film, and was the perfect fit. The movie is also great at subverting your expectations. I wasn't expecting some of the routes this movie was going in and i always appreciate when a film does that to me. Where it fails in its cycle. What i mean by that is towards the middle of the movie you get this formula that basically loops for the rest of the movie.

About three events happen and then a kill, and then that loops about 4 more times, and it definitely felt repetitive very quickly. I kinda wish this movie got more creative towards the climax, and maybe switched some things up. But overall i got a decent amount of enjoyment from this little indie horror flick. It's a fun version of a character study, that tells a good story, and is overall good for what it's trying to accomplish. You're definitely gonna get some sort of enjoyment out of this thing, and it's definitely not a movie to skip. Check it out and show it support, it's far from bad.

Went into this not expecting a whole lot but mostly because I liked Jenna so much as Tara in Terrifier. Thought she was really great in Renfield as well. I decided not to read too much about this one because I do like to be surprised and MAN was I surprised. Jenna Kanell dominates this movie and takes it to places I don't think a lot of actresses can pull off these days. Her performance starts off light and fun but descends into some very dark territory that Jenna works to perfection. I was with her all the way as revels in choosing victims that I absolutely wanted to see her annihilate. It's a fun movie and Jenna is an absolute star!

"Faceless After Dark" isn't just a slasher flick; it's a warped reflection of fandom, fame, and the cost of artistic identity. Director Raymond Wood crafts a film that's equal parts terrifying and thought-provoking, anchored by a truly killer performance from Jenna Kanell. Who takes center stage as Bowie, a jaded actress haunted by her breakout role in a notorious killer clown movie.

The film starts off strong, establishing Bowie's disillusionment with fame and the obsessive nature of some fans. But it's when she's thrust into a terrifying situation - a home invasion by a deranged fan dressed as the killer clown from her film - that Kanell truly shines.

Her portrayal of Bowie's descent into paranoia and desperation is raw and captivating. We see a shift from initial defiance to a fight for survival. Kanell masterfully conveys this emotional rollercoaster, keeping you glued to the screen.

As the film delves deeper, the lines between reality and warped obsession blur. Kanell seamlessly navigates this complexity, hinting at a potential darkness within Bowie herself. This is where "Faceless After Dark" excels. It becomes more than just a slasher; it's a character study exploring the price of fame, the burden of expectation, and the lingering impact of trauma.

Sure, the deaths are brutal (and there are some truly creative kills here), but it's Kanell's performance that elevates the film. She's not just a scream queen; she's a powerhouse anchoring the narrative with her raw talent.

"Faceless After Dark" might not be perfect. The pacing can drag at times early on, but once the film lays its foundation, you become immersed in the raw intensity that keeps you glued to the screen.

Meta horror film involves the co-star of TERRIFIER 1 and 2, Jenna Kanell, playing an actress who has breakout success with a starring role in a killer clown horror movie. However, she finds herself the victim of a crazed fan intent on recreating the killer clown movie's scenarios. It's not an especially clever film, but Kanell gets to show off more acting chops than she was allowed in the TERRIFIER movies, and FACELESS AFTER DARK also serves as something of a counterpoint to the misogyny of those films, as well as the nature of toxic fandom. However, Damien Leone does get a thank-you in the credits. Overall, FACELESS AFTER DARK is nothing to go out of your way to see, but it's not terrible.