Phil Claydon's Helloween (2025) is now streaming free with ads at Roku. The slasher film was released in select theaters and on VOD in the US on September 5, 2025 through Vertical. 101 Films released it on Digital and Blu-ray in the UK on September 29, 2025.
"At the height of the ‘killer clown’ phenomenon, psychiatrist Dr Ellen Marks (Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott) and investigative journalist John Parker (Michael Paré) uncover a terrifying conspiracy masterminded by maniacal incarcerated serial killer Carl Cane (Ronan Summers), plotting an anarchistic, uprising from his cell deep in the bowels of the Moreton Downs Psychiatric Hospital."
"With a murderous army of clowns awaiting his signal to kill, Cane escapes, intent on unleashing his vengeance. Ellen and John face a desperate race against time to avert a bloodbath and stop Cane unleashing his own personal hell on Halloween."
Written and directed by Phil Claydon, it stars Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott, Michael Paré, Ronan Summers, Caroline Wild,e Megan Marszal, Samantha Loxley and Malcolm Modele. Produced by Shogun Films and Film Bridge After Dark.
Described as "The Purge Meets The Terrifier" but it more like "The Purge with The Joker as Michael Myers".
Trailer:
Interview with Phil Claydon | Writer/Director of Helloween (2025) – “The Purge With Killer Clowns”:
Macabre Daily Interviews: Phil Claydon HELLOWEEN September 2025:
Interview: Ronan Summers | Helloween (The Fan Carpet):
Interview: Ronan Summers on working on Helloween and makeup continuity between takes:
CineDump interviews Ronan Summers - Helloween, Absolutely Anything, Edge of Tomorrow (2025):
EXCLUSIVE Interview: Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott | Helloween (The Fan Carpet):
Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott On A Different Type Of Terror In Helloween - Exclusive Interview:
Interview: Jeanine Nerissa Sothcott on Helloween:
Helloween signing:
Stills:
Jack-O's Review: "Borrows parts from Halloween Michael Myers, Silence of the Lambs, The Purge, It, Saw & Terrifier without the violence/gore, and the main killer clown is just the Joker from Batman. Opens on a good Halloween trick or treat scene. Michael Paré was just in the first half the film. The mother doesn't seem to be a psychologist/doctor with bad/cringy dialogue/acting and the movie falls apart at the end. Does not show was happened to the army of clowns roaming the streets?" ★★ @trickhorrortreater
More Reviews:
"Ultimately, Helloween plays like a movie convinced it’s breaking new ground while actually stitching together familiar parts. It’s not without merit, Summers is genuinely electrifying, and the early media-montage world-building is sharp, but the film falls short of its own ambitions. What could have been “The British Terrifier” ends up as a patchwork slasher, unsure whether it wants to be scary, satirical, or simply a showcase for its villain. It’s a flashy but ultimately hollow ride; Ronan Summers’ performance delivers, but if you’re expecting the next horror phenomenon, you’ll likely walk away feeling like you’ve seen this clown act before." cinedump.com
"Overall, this was a fairly solid and likable enough genre effort. Among the better aspects to be had with this one comes from the wholly effective and involved storyline that manages to bring together some rather intriguing ideas... A rather strong and enjoyable indie slasher, there’s enough to enjoy with this one that it remains likable for what it is, as there’s not much to this one that brings it down. Those with an appreciation for this style or approach, or who are curious about it, will have a lot to like here, while most others out there should heed caution." Overview: ★★★½/5 DonsHorrorWorld.blogspot.com
"Had HELLOWEEN been released to capitalise on the nationwide ‘clown’ sightings of 2016 then it could have warranted some attention. As it is, its too cheap, too derivative, and too restricted by budget to bring the scares that its storyline calls for. For example, the narrative talks about clowns wreaking mayhem across the nation but never properly shows it – failing to have neither the invention nor budget to show this. In reading the small smattering of online reviews at the time of writing, I am alone in my lack of appreciation for HELLOWEEN, so perhaps it just boils down to my mood at the time of viewing, it happens. In the film’s favour I can say that Michael Paré, starring as journalist John Parker, still has those matinee idol good looks from his STREETS OF FIRE days. He is by far the best thing about an otherwise shambolic movie that is constantly at odds with pacing that feels all over the shop." Rating: 2.0 from 10 MyBloodyReview.com
"It doesn’t necessarily make for a scary movie, but it does have an undeniable visual flair to it and a lead villain whose presence grows on you as the runtime progresses... Don’t look here for some thoughtful meditation on the societal causes of child psychopathy or organized criminal groups, but thanks to Cane and some colourful camera work and production design, this low-budget clown horror offers a laidback, experiential watch that you’ll kinda wish you could actually be in the middle of." ★★★ LoveHorror.co.uk
"Visually indebted to the grittier end of modern genre films and clearly influenced by the wave of clown-themed media that followed Joker and Terrifier, the film aims high with a concept that blends social paranoia, mass hysteria and a long-imprisoned psychopath whose legacy refuses to die... Helloween is ultimately a film defined by ambition without follow-through. It offers flashes of creativity—especially in its concept and initial atmosphere—but struggles to develop its ideas into a cohesive or compelling whole. The result is an occasionally intriguing, ultimately uneven slasher that never becomes as bold or memorable as it wants to be. A few interesting sparks aside, Helloween settles into mediocrity, making it a missed opportunity rather than a breakout horror entry. ★★ 2/5" Nerdly.co.uk
"...this lands as a solid seasonal watch with a few provocative thoughts tucked between the jolts. It’s not chasing the crown from the titans it nods toward; it’s staking out a lane of its own, one that’s louder about contagion than carnage and more interested in the story of how a monster scales. As a Halloween-night stream, it works. As a comment on the supply chain of fear, it’s sharper than expected. And as a springboard for a continuing mythos, it does enough to make you wonder what happens the next time the mask shows up on your street. A good-not-great chiller with a compelling central idea, anchored by committed performances, that earns its place in the seasonal rotation and hints at something larger in the shadows." ★★★ https://mailnewsgroup.com/ohmr/madness-with-a-painted-smile/
"Claydon has vocalised how this movie is meant to serve as the perfect horror movie to watch on a Friday night. The kind of simple, fun slasher that will give you your hit of bloody frights and excitement. And overall, that’s what Helloween delivers: a meat-and potatoes-slasher with some added stylistic and social flavouring. Aesthetically recognisable, yet also quite engaging." ★★★ UKFilmReview.co.uk
YouTube Reviews:
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