“It” is already well on its way to being the smash hit film of the fall after grossing $185.1 million across the world to record the highest opening weekend haul for both a horror film and a September release. But police are now warning that the supernatural horror film could have a much more sinister impact, as they’ve insisted that “It” might inspire a new killer clown craze.
Between the start of August and the middle of November, 2016, hundreds of clown sightings and attacks were reported in nearly every U.S. state, as well as 19 other countries. Now, in the wake of the huge success of “It”, Pennsylvania State Police have warned that they believe more ‘creepy clown’ behavior will follow. “It’s anticipated that ‘creepy clown’ sightings could be reported starting as soon as September, in part due to the fact that the movie “It” will be released in theatres,” the department predicted in a statement, via Esquire, just ahead of the film’s release.
In the build-up to Halloween, 2016, the clown sightings became more and more menacing. On October 31 two siblings from Orange County were attacked by 20 people in clown masks and needed medical attention. No arrests were ever made, but it was confirmed that the attackers had styled their masks after “The Purge” movie. Warner Bros were quick to insist that the team behind “It” had nothing to do with these sightings, which had quickly spiralled out of hand.
After grossing such a huge sum at the box office there’s a very good chance that Andy Muschietti’s terrifying “It”, and Bill Skarsgård’s incarnation of Pennywise The Dancing Clown, will inspire more folks to copy the above antics. Especially since, because of its huge success, “It” and Pennywise will return for a sequel, which will only increase the fervor surrounding the film and character.
