10 Scariest Movie & TV Clowns
2. Twisty – American Horror Story, Freak Show (2014 – 2015)
Twisty appeared in the Freak Show season of American Horror Story, making his initial outing in the first episode of Season 4, where he approaches a couple having a picnic and gives the girl some flowers before pulling out some juggling pins, knocking them both out and stabbing the boy to death. He then maniacally chases the running girl towards the screen in an iconic scene, with the childlike eerie circus music building to a terrifying climax.
Twisty is the most horrifying-looking clown on the list, with his grinning prosthetic mask, his dirty clothes and crazy eyes. He is completely silent, which is explained in his backstory, but initially, is just a random terror with unknown motives.
His sad origin story explains that he was dropped on his head as a baby, causing him to develop a learning disability. He went on to become a clown and was a big hit with the children in the circus. Two jealous dwarves spread a rumour that he was a child molester, ruining his career. Twisty attempted to kill himself, but just shot his lower jaw off, which is gruesomely revealed when he takes his mask off.
Rejected by the freak show, he went insane. Despite his terrifying appearance and actions, his intentions are good-natured, as he just wants to entertain people and kidnaps children to ‘rescue’ them from their parents.