100 Tears
A wrongfully accused clown becomes a brutal serial killer.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
100 Tears is a 2007 American independent black comedy slasher film. Marcus Koch directed it, and Joe Davison wrote and co-produced it. The plot centers on a circus clown who embarks on a killing spree after being falsely accused of rape. The cast includes Georgia Chris, Joe Davison (who also produced), and Jack Amos. Anthem Pictures distributed the film in 2007. Independent horror critics generally received it well, and it later developed a cult following.
The story follows Luther Edward Baxter, a shy circus clown known as Gurdy or Gleydson. He dates fellow performer Tracy Greaston. Her jealous friend Roxanne Doogan (real name Sarah Summers) falsely tells the circus strongman, Ralphio, that Gurdy is raping Tracy. Ralphio beats Gurdy unconscious without letting him explain. Gurdy then strangles Roxanne and stabs Ralphio in the head with a bowie knife. A circus dwarf named Drago helps him escape. A rumor spreads that Gurdy killed himself, but Tracy sees him watching the circus as it travels. He becomes the Teardrop Killer, following the circus to each town, committing brutal massacres, and leaving a teardrop drawn in blood at the scene.
In the opening scene, he kills nearly a dozen people at a halfway house with a meat cleaver, then kidnaps three more to torture and murder. Later, he kills a real estate agent and two buyers who enter a warehouse he is using as a hiding spot. Longing for Tracy, he forces Drago to give him her address. He finds her dead, with a girl cleaning up. He chases the girl, kidnaps her, and takes her to the warehouse. When she asks why he hasn't killed her, he shows her a box of photographs and letters revealing she is his long-lost daughter, Christine Greaston. Christine is thrilled and insists he teach her to kill. Seven teens break into the warehouse to party, and the pair kill them all.
Their spree ends when reporters Mark Webb and Jennifer Stevenson arrive with Detectives Dunkin and Spaulding. All four become trapped. Christine slits Dunkin's throat. She kidnaps Mark, dresses him as Gurdy, and Gurdy shoots him in the head to frame him as the Teardrop Killer. Jennifer escapes briefly, witnesses Gurdy chop off Spaulding's head, then fights Christine. Christine strikes Jennifer multiple times with a sledgehammer and smashes her face into the floor, seemingly killing her. Christine finds Gurdy on a staircase, shoots him
- Release Year
- 2007
- Director
- Marcus Koch
- Writer
- Joe Davison
- Genre
- Black comedy slasher
- Budget
- Approximately $75,000
- MPAA Rating
- NC-17
- Distributor
- Anthem Pictures
Lore & Background
The film's plot centers on Luther Edward Baxter, an introverted circus clown known as Gurdy or Gleydson, who begins dating Tracy Greaston. Tracy's friend Roxanne Doogan, jealous of their relationship, falsely tells the circus strongman Ralphio that Gurdy is raping Tracy. Ralphio beats Gurdy senseless, prompting Gurdy to strangle Roxanne and stab Ralphio in the head with a bowie knife. With help from a circus dwarf named Drago, Gurdy evades the circus and becomes the Teardrop Killer, leaving a teardrop drawn in blood at his crime scenes.
Reader's Guide
100 Tears is a low-budget splatter film produced for around $75,000, released in limited theaters on June 23, 2007, and on DVD on December 9, 2008. Though it did not receive mainstream recognition, it earned mostly positive reviews from independent horror critics. The Scars Horror Reviews praised Jack Amos's performance as Gurdy, stating it makes Pennywise look harmless. Johnny Butane of Dread Central gave the film three out of five stars, calling it at times genuinely funny and screamingly entertaining. Horror Society praised the balance of horror and comedy, while CultFlicks.net gave it a 4 out of 10, criticizing the story and lack of nudity but praising the villainous clown. The film retains its NC-17 rating for extreme horror violence.
Did You Know?
- The film was produced for approximately $75,000.
- The MPAA gave the film an NC-17 rating for extreme horror violence.
- The film's villain, Gurdy the Clown, was played by Joe Davison, while Jack Amos played the strongman Ralphio.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is 100 Tears?
100 Tears is a 2007 American independent black comedy slasher film that blends graphic horror with dark humor. It was distributed by Anthem Pictures and produced on a modest budget of roughly $75,000.
Who is the clown character in 100 Tears?
The lead is Luther Edward Baxter, a shy circus performer who goes by the stage names Gurdy or Gleydson. He is in a relationship with fellow circus performer Tracy Greast.
What is the plot of 100 Tears?
After being falsely accused of rape, a circus clown snaps and goes on a violent killing spree. The film frames his rampage within a darkly comedic slasher narrative.
Who directed and wrote 100 Tears?
Marcus Koch directed the film, while Joe Davison wrote the screenplay and also served as a co-producer. The cast includes Georgia Chris, Jack Amos, and Raine Brown alongside Davison.
How was 100 Tears received by audiences and critics?
Independent horror critics generally gave it favorable reviews, and the film later grew a dedicated cult following. It carries an NC-17 MPAA rating, reflecting its extremely graphic content.
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