Evil clown

A group of people in evil clown costumes at a PDC 2008 party at Universal Studios

The evil clown is a fictional or symbolic character that combines the traditional clown's appearance—such as a colorful costume, exaggerated makeup, and a playful or goofy demeanor—with malevolent or sinister traits. Unlike the friendly or entertaining clown seen at circuses and parties, an evil clown is often depicted as threatening, malicious, or frightening, commonly used in horror stories, movies, and Halloween themes to evoke fear and unease. The concept plays on the unsettling contrast between the clown's usual role as a figure of joy and the darker, more sinister portrayal that emphasizes danger or evil intent.

The modern archetype of the evil clown was popularized by the DC Comics supervillain Joker starting in 1940, and again in the 1980s by Pennywise from Stephen King's It. The character can be seen as playing on the sense of unease felt by sufferers of coulrophobia, the fear of clowns.

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