TikTok Discovers Forgotten Clown Horror Gem On Streaming: “This movie is so creepy”

TikTok
Brian Cox, 2021. © Open Road Films /Courtesy Everett Collection

Sometimes a horror movie trailer arrives online, and even though you’ve never heard of it, you can’t help but want to see it. Maybe it’s got a great atmosphere. Maybe the central monster looks like something you’ve never seen before. Whatever it is, this movie you’ve only just heard of is going to be the thrust of your personality until you can check it off your watchlist.

That was me way back in 2021 with William Brent Bell’s Separation. It was one of my first review assignments at Dread Central, but, well, I really didn’t like it. Middling reviews haven’t stopped fans from rediscovering it on Tik Tok, and now, those interested can catch it streaming on Peacock.

Per Peacock: A lonely little girl gets caught in the middle of a family feud and is left to find solace in her artist father and the ghost of her dead mother.

In my review of Separation, I said, “A pale pastiche of better movies, Separation might not be good, but its marionette mayhem emerges as curiously entertaining.” It’s not good, but I did spotlight the “Brooklyn Baba Yaga” marionette monster at its center, and those striking visuals have been enough for the film to find new life on Tik Tok. Check out what’s been said below:

Tik Tok, for better or worse, is where a lot of these conversations are happening now. It certainly makes me feel old (really old, like, Ti West’s X old), but often, younger fans will spotlight some movie you’ve known about forever, framing it as the latest, coolest thing. And honestly, that’s not such a bad thing. More horror is good for everyone, and while I don’t understand why Separation of all movies would be heralded as some unsung gem, it’s clearly resonated with a new digital audience.

What do you think? Did you check out Separation back in 2021? Do you plan on seeing what the hype’s about on Peacock? Let me know over on Twitter @Chadiscollins!

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