Faceless After Dark (2023) User Reviews

Bowie is far from hunky dory.

[BA_Harrison · 5/10 · 26 August 2023]

Having starred in a killer clown movie, emotionally fragile actress Bowie (Jenna Kanell) finds herself harrassed by obsessive perverts who inundate her with obscene messages via social media. When her more successful girlfriend Jessica (Danielle Lyn), star of a hit TV show, leaves for a job in London, Bowie is left all alone, and is targeted by an intruder in a clown mask carrying a pair of garden shears; however, Bowie is able to overpower the prowler and deals with him using extreme force, an act of violence that tips the already unstable woman over the edge...

Like Zoe Termelis's character in Ms.45, Bowie flips her wig when attacked by a man. However, unlike Abel Ferrara's movie, Faceless After Dark is less 'satisfying and stylish feminist revenge fantasy' and more weak 'torture porn', the film largely comprising of a series of premeditated acts of violence perpetrated on a series of helpless individuals who, while not exactly upstanding pillars of society, aren't really deserving of such punishment. It's like a rape/revenge movie, but without the rape to justify the revenge.

If an hour or so of a flaky nutjob off her meds luring people to their deaths is what you're after, then have at it, but I was hoping for something a little more substantial.

4.5/10, rounded up to 5 for IMDb.

Faceless After Dark

[BandSAboutMovies · 6/10 · 20 October 2023]

After starring in a killer clown horror flick, Bowie (Jenna Kanell, Tara from another killer clown movie, Terrifier and Terrifier 2) is held hostage by an unhinged fan posing as the slasher that she survived in her movie, which has now become her life.

Directed by Raymond Wood and written by Todd Jacobs and Jenna Kanell, Faceless After Dark starts with Bowie stuck working conventions and doing Cameos, barely holding on to any fame that she may have had. Meanwhile, her girlfriend Jessica (Danielle Lyn) is really enjoying getting to star in a superhero movie. It gets so bad that fans ask Bowie to take photos of themselves with Jessica, which really gets at her.

The man in the clown mask (Max Calder) has, however, found the wrong final girl for the movie in his head. Bowie has had it with her place in the world and is way more dangerous than the character she played on screen. After killing off one fan, she feels something she hasn't felt in some time. Some level of control. Some level of being alive. And that clown won't be the last. Bowie begins to invite all of the worst comments on her social media to Jessica's house and then kills them, one by one, all while neon colors play on the screen and blood sprays.

Is it a home invasion movie if you invite them into the house?

You're either going to see this as a cathartic blast of getting back at horrible people or an entitled woman who just can't get it together. I'm on the former side of the argument, but I can see some loving this and some just hating every minute.

That said, Kanell is great and the movie looks absolutely gorgeous.

...

[templetab · 1/10 · 18 May 2024]

This movie actually may be THE absolute WORSSSTT movie i have ever watched in my entire life This is saying a LOT because i am someone who enjoys very movie, like I enjoyed Madame Web.

The use of modern gen z lingo is cringy causing me to not take the movie seriously whatsoever (and IM GEN Z) Nothing makes sense??? AT ALL The acting is horrible and all of the actions and saying of the characters like nobody acts like that in real life.

The actions of the main character are so random it's insane im so mad I paid 7 dollars to watch it on youtube. I just wanted to watch a good new horror movie and this was NOT it. So cringy that it's impossible to find it thrilling or frightening.

Not sure why the ratings for the movie are so high because it is genuinely bad.

Thank you for your time.

Doesn't deserve the bad reviews

[thefuturemoviecritic · 7/10 · 20 May 2024]

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.

Bowie's descent into paranoia and desperation is raw and captivating.

[nERDbOX_Dave · 8/10 · 18 May 2024]

"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.

The discovery of Jenna Kanell, and what a nice surprise!

[frank-liesenborgs · 8/10 · 19 May 2024]

What a nice surprise this movie was. Now I am the number one fan of Jenna Kanell. Jenna Kanell co-wrote the screenplay of "Faceless After Dark " with Todd Jacobs, bringing her perspective to the story of Bowie, an actress on the rise. Bowie may face challenges, from autographing at conventions to navigating a closeted relationship and dealing with home invasions, but she's determined to carve her own path. And with carving her path, this is literally the case. The movie explores the realities of Hollywood, particularly for women, but with a twist! Well, with a couple of twists. When the pressure mounts, Bowie discovers a hidden strength and resourcefulness. Faceless After Dark is a story of resilience, finding your voice, and the power of creativity. Jenna Kanell delivers a captivating performance, making this a fun and empowering watch. Really a solid acting performance. Before I forget, she also co-produced the movie and obviously as a stuntwoman, is performing her own stunts. I am sold. Great movie, hence, the rating of 8/10. Well worth watching.

Make your own movie

[kosmasp · 9/10 · 1 September 2023]

No pun intended - I will talk about the twist of the movie. Although I am not entirely sure if some reviews already give it away. I know that I wouldn't like to do that to you or anyone for that matter, so the next paragraph is going to start generally but then I'll ... tell you about a dark secret.

Jenn Coleman, whom you may know from a clown movie - Terrifier, seem to struggle with that and the fandom it attracted. Well some part of that. So this movie is a bit of catharsis for her. She starts off being the struggling artist ... having a way more successful partner to her side. Not an easy thing to live with.

But she really unravels .. and yes you have been warned multiple times ... when someone breaks into her house .. with a clown mask nevertheless. Really crazy you say ... but this does not go the way you may expect at that moment. This will not become a cat and mouse game .. she goes off on him and ... he has zero chance against her. Proving my theory that you must be crazy to do pranks in America .. though I am not even sure I would call breaking and entering a prank ... just me? I hope not.

And this trend continues as she takes the advice she had been given by a friend and ... well creates art ... by killing people. People who deserve it? Where is your moral compass on that ... can the end justify the means? Tough one - really well acted and edited ... I do believe that fandom is mostly positive .. but those who are negative ... well they are extremely toxic ... in the end, we are all humans with feelings .. right? If you don't like something, that's ok ... don't make it personal though... unless you want to become faceless after dark ...