Wrinkles the Clown

Wrinkles the Clown is a 2019 documentary that grips the viewer with a chilling narrative surrounding a real-life enigmatic figure who became an internet sensation overnight. Directed by Michael Beach Nichols, this movie employs a perfect blend of suspense, horror, and reality, which leaves the audience both terrified and intrigued. It features compelling performances by Christopher Barcia, Miguel Bey, and Trevor J. Blank, amongst others, thereby completing an intriguing roster of characters central to the storytelling.

The film's title, Wrinkles the Clown, instantly evokes images of the stereotypical clown – jolly, bubbly, painted faces, red noses, and oversized shoes. But, the documentary swiftly overturns these preconceived notions. Instead, we are introduced to a very different kind of clown, one that leaves joy and laughter outside the frame of his performance.

The documentary chronicles the peculiar story of a man who, disguised as Wrinkles the Clown, offers his unsettling services to parents seeking an unusual method of discipline for their unruly children. Wrinkles, whose appearance defies the typical clown stereotype, is an elderly masked figure with sensational internet notoriety for scaring misbehaving kids. This unusual idea of using fear as a method of instilling good behaviour sets the undertone of the entire film.

Director Nichols meticulously presents an insightful journey into the life of this mysterious character, striking a delicate balance between Wrinkles the person, and Wrinkles the internet phenomenon. He latches onto the suspense surrounding Wrinkles' true identity, creating a fascinating blend of reality and fiction which keeps the audience hooked. The film explores the viral nature of internet fame, the public's relentless hunger for answers, and the line where the character begins to consume the person playing it.

Christopher Barcia, Miguel Bey and Trevor J. Blank each contribute to this thrilling narrative through their fascinating performances. Barcia, for instance, seamlessly brings to life the terror and intrigue surrounding the figure of Wrinkles, while Bey and Blank effectively portray the diverse public reactions to this unusual spectacle. The film beautifully interweaves their narratives, forming a layered, multidimensional portrait of this odd internet sensation.

Nichols makes clever use of found footage, news reports, interviews, homemade videos, and taped conversations. This bricolage of different source materials interlaced with reenactment scenes gives the film a pseudo-realistic feel, making the events seem grounded and believable. The film’s visual aesthetic is deeply tied to the horror genre, with dimly lit scenes and a grim colour palette, adding to the eerie ambience.

What makes the documentary unique is its exploration into the creation and nurturing of contemporary myths and urban legends in the digital age, demonstrating how instantly they can permeate into popular culture, terrify, and fascinate the public. This also serves as a commentary on how individuals exploit the internet's capabilities for their amusement or benefit, and how society responds to these stimuli.

The unsettling musical score further contributes to the documentary's haunting atmosphere. It compliments the on-screen suspense and elevate the freakish elements, making certain moments in the film all the more terrifying.

What's more, Nichols subtly shifts the limelight from Wrinkles to the broader concerns related to parenting, societal norms, and the psychological impact of fear. The character of Wrinkles becomes a metaphor for these themes, thereby transcending the realm of internet oddity, and transforming into an embodiment of deep-seated cultural anxieties.

Nichols fluently constructs an engaging narrative around Wrinkles the Clown, a figure shrouded in mystery and terror, and magnifies the perfect storm that the internet could create around an individual. The intersection of fiction and reality, fear and humour, anonymity and fame, makes this documentary a riveting watch.

In conclusion, Wrinkles the Clown goes beyond the surface-level narration of a viral internet phenomenon. It challenges our conventional understanding of horror, culture, and the internet's influence on our lives. It is a thrilling and thought-provoking movie that will undoubtedly leave audiences contemplating long after the credits have rolled.