THE JESTER (2023)

The Jester (2023)
Directed by: Colin Krawchuk
Written by: Colin Krawchuk, Michael Sheffield
Starring: Delaney White, Lelia Symington, Lena Janes, Matt Servitto, Mia Rae Roberts, Michael Sheffield

THE JESTER (2023)
Directed by Colin Krawchuk

Following their father’s suicide, two estranged half-sisters decide to meet up in an effort to connect and build bridges between their families, but little do they know that their father’s death wasn’t quite as it seemed.

Guilt and trauma are written all over this indie horror thriller from writer/director Colin Krawchuk and writer Michael Sheffield, albeit wrapped in a sinister package emblazoned with a maniacal grin.

THE JESTER focuses on two sisters: Emma, the eldest sibling, whose father left her when she was young to start a new family, and Jocelyn, the apple of his eye who he continued to be a present father for until the day he died. Unable to come to terms with her father’s betrayal, Emma’s relationship with her father was fractured right up to his death. Connecting with her younger sister, whom she’s never met before, is difficult for Emma to process and the pain she carries  over her absent father is still raw, as is the guilt of the night her father took his own life… except the viewer knows full well that his suicide was very much out of his hands and in those of another – the villain of the piece, the titular jester.

Opening with the father’s apparent suicide scene, we’re introduced to this chilling intruder. What does he want and what’s his deal? It isn’t long before we discover his intentions are malevolent and that this is just the start as he turns his attention to the rest of the family.

Much like how villains are handled in slasher movies, the introduction of the villain sets the tone for the rest of the movie. With a mask that looks somewhere between The Black Phone‘s The Grabber and the nightmarish Art the Clown from Terrifier, THE JESTER is no laughing matter. Donning a bright orange suit and holding a cane, he may come off as a bit of a prankster as he silently stands and judges, in some cases produces a magic trick or two, but his intentions are far from harmless. His unnerving presence chills to the core, leaving the viewer hanging in anticipation of what horror he might unleash on his victim, or if they’ll be spared. His silence only multiplies the fear factor.

For a villainous character, he’s one of the best I’ve seen in ages and proves to be more of a threat than the aforementioned masked comparisons with some truly inventive and frightening scenes. Unfortunately, in the final act, his strength feels less potent as the film shifts in direction, so that the focus is less on him, which switches the meaning and intent his presence brings. Whilst it’s pretty clear he’s a manifestation and representation, having the jester as a true villain embodied solely as that character would escalate the fear factor immensely.

The film has a casual feel to it that makes it easy to watch but when the Jester makes his appearance, he leaves the viewer on edge, having no clue what he might do next. His habit of toying with his audience leaves you in a state of guessing what his next move will be. Even if he walks away, the anticipation of his return and a delayed attack keeps you on your toes.

Fun and frightening, there’s some fantastic ideas on display in the movie that prove to unsettle the viewer – one in particular that takes place inside a shop that leaves a permanent mark on the memory. In a time where fresh horror villains are few and far between, THE JESTER introduces a colourful and creepy entry that definitely entertains.

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