🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: John Simpson
- Genre: Horror, Thriller, Mystery, Crime, Slasher
- Release year: 2008
- Runtime (length): 1h 25min
- IMDb rating: 4.9/10 (13K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 0%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Three childhood frenemies get haunted by a guy with a really annoying laugh because they hurt his feelings in art class, leading to a series of mildly creepy, unconnected vignettes before they all end up in what appears to be a low-budget Saw set.
🍿 Amusement: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Setup: Three Separate Nightmares
The film begins by presenting three seemingly unrelated horror scenarios, each focusing on one of three childhood friends: Shelby, Tabitha, and Lisa. Shelby is on a road trip with her boyfriend when they encounter a menacing truck driver. Tabitha is babysitting and finds herself terrorized by a sinister clown. Lisa, searching for a missing friend, ventures into a creepy, abandoned hotel.

The Connection: A Childhood Grudge
As the film progresses, it’s revealed that the three women share a common past: they were childhood friends who mocked a disturbed boy named ‘The Laugh’ for his macabre art project involving animals. Years later, ‘The Laugh,’ now a grown man, seeks revenge on them for the childhood humiliation he endured.

The Labyrinth: A House of Horrors
The three women find themselves trapped in a vast, underground labyrinth filled with disturbing imagery and elaborate traps constructed by ‘The Laugh’. They must confront their past and fight for survival against their tormentor’s twisted games.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Tabitha (Katheryn Winnick): One of the three childhood friends targeted by a psychopathic stalker seeking retribution.
- Shelby (Laura Breckenridge): One of the three childhood friends who is stalked and terrorized by the Laugh.
- Lisa (Jessica Lucas): One of the three childhood friends who is stalked and terrorized in a derelict hotel.
- The Laugh (Keir O’Donnell): A psychopathic stalker with a grudge against three women stemming from their childhood interactions.
- Dan (Reid Scott): Lisa’s boyfriend who becomes entangled in the Laugh’s deadly game while searching for a missing friend.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Tabitha: “Boys, listen to me, we have to hide. There’s a bad man, a very bad man in the house.” – Tabitha, babysitting, warns the children when she realizes they’re in danger.
- Max: “He just wants to play. Like earlier at the door.” – Max, one of the children, naively describes the killer’s intentions, unaware of the danger.
- Danny: “[Chuckles] Owen.” – Danny identifies the clown character, who is named Owen.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $10,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $0
- Worldwide Gross: $170,255
💥 Amusement Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I went into this movie expecting a fun, cheesy slasher flick, and…well, it’s definitely cheesy. The plot is all over the place, and the killer’s laugh is more annoying than scary. But the clown scenes? Legitimately creepy! I jumped a few times, and I’m a seasoned horror fan. The ending was a bit of a letdown, but honestly, I still kind of enjoyed it for its sheer ridiculousness. If you’re looking for high art, steer clear. But if you want a goofy, slightly scary movie night, give it a shot! Just don’t expect too much.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Viewers who enjoy slasher films with a revenge theme”
- “Fans of psychological horror movies”
- “Those looking for a quick, suspenseful thriller”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence and gore”
- “Disturbing imagery”
- “Stalking and harassment”
- “Clowns (may be disturbing for some viewers)”
Professional Reviews
- Horror News Network: “”Amusement” suffers from a disjointed plot and underdeveloped characters, making it difficult to connect with the protagonists. While there are a few genuinely creepy moments, particularly those involving the clown, the film ultimately fails to deliver a satisfying horror experience.
- Dread Central: “Though it tries to be a suspenseful slasher, “Amusement” falls short due to predictable scares and a convoluted storyline. The killer’s motives are weak, and the film relies too heavily on horror tropes. The visuals are decent, but lack originality.
- Film Threat: “”Amusement” is a mixed bag of horror clichés that never quite comes together. The performances are lackluster, and the film feels derivative of other, more successful horror movies. It has moments of tension, but lacks genuine scares.
Audience Reactions
Some viewers found the clown scenes genuinely terrifying, praising the unsettling atmosphere.: The few creepy parts were well executed, even if the movie as a whole was a mess.
Many were confused by the plot and thought the film was disjointed and nonsensical.: The plot made no sense and the sub-plots went no where.
Overall Consensus: While some viewers found “Amusement” entertaining with some scares, most critics and audiences agree that the film suffers from a convoluted plot, underdeveloped characters, and reliance on clichés, making it a largely forgettable horror experience.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Filmed in Hungary, the movie had a relatively low budget of $10 million.”
- “The film employs a nonlinear narrative, initially presenting separate stories that gradually converge.”
- “The director aimed to create a sense of unease through psychological suspense rather than excessive gore.”
🖥️ How to Watch Amusement?
As of October 2024, “Amusement” is available for rent or purchase on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your preferred streaming service for availability as it may vary by region. There are currently no options to view this film for free.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Amusement, you might like these similar films:
- Valentine (2001): Features a killer targeting individuals who wronged him in their youth, creating a similar revenge-driven horror scenario.
- When a Stranger Calls (1979): Shares the theme of a babysitter being terrorized by a mysterious and threatening presence.
- Saw (2004): Involves elaborate traps and psychological games played by a sadistic killer.
- The Hitcher (1986): Road trip horror, thriller.
🛒 Amusement Related Products
- Clown Mask Creepy Evil Scary Halloween Costume Mask: High-quality latex clown mask, perfect for horror fans and collectors. Features realistic details and a terrifying design, ideal for Halloween or display.
- Horror Movie Essentials Snack Box: Movie night snack box. Full of sweets, treats and popcorn to set the scene for a great viewing experience.
- 100 Horror Films Scratch Off Poster: Scratch off to reveal classic horror movie posters. A fun challenge for horror fans to discover hidden gems and rediscover old favorites.
- Funko POP! Horror Classics Pennywise: Popular collectable toy figure from the movie IT. Classic movie doll with unique features.
🎧 Soundtrack
Amusement features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
“Amusement” is a horror film about three women who are stalked and terrorized by a man seeking revenge for a childhood incident where they mocked him. It explores themes of bullying, revenge, and the consequences of past actions.
The killer in “Amusement” is a man known only as ‘The Laugh.’ He was a classmate of the three female leads in elementary school and was ridiculed for his disturbing artwork. He seeks revenge for this childhood humiliation.
Reviews for “Amusement” are mixed, with some viewers finding certain scenes, particularly those involving the clown, genuinely creepy and suspenseful. However, others criticize the film for its predictable plot and lack of originality. Whether or not it’s scary is subjective and depends on individual tolerance for horror elements.
🔥 Bonus Content
In the amusement park, if you enter the wrong path, you’ll fall down dead and be crushed!
Want a quick rundown of ‘Aquaslash’? This summary breaks down all the gory details and twists – perfect if you’re curious about a slasher flick set in a waterpark! I found the premise surprisingly interesting, and this video does a great job of explaining it.
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