Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Comedy

The Clapper (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

The Clapper (2018) movie poster

The Clapper is a 2018 comedy directed by Dito Montiel, starring Ed Helms as Eddie Krumble, Tracy Morgan and Amanda Seyfried. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes and earned $6,961 worldwide. Critics gave it 20% on Rotten Tomatoes and 21 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.1/10.

IMDb rating
5.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
20%
worldwide gross
$7K
Echo Score
30
Loading streaming availability…
The Clapper (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 29m (89 min)
Director
Dito Montiel
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Clapper About?

The premise of The Clapper without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Eddie Krumble, seeking a change from small-town life, moves to Los Angeles and unexpectedly finds success as a paid audience member for a television show. With his best friend Chris, Eddie's luck changes when he meets Judy. As his charm and various disguises capture the attention of a popular late-night host and a television producer, his life becomes a public spectacle, threatening his newfound romance and forcing him to confront the consequences of his rising fame.

The Clapper Themes & Keywords

· 4 tags
  • fame
  • unwanted fame
  • misunderstanding
  • friendship
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

The Clapper Cast & Characters

Ed Helms leads the cast as Eddie Krumble, with Tracy Morgan as Chris and Amanda Seyfried as Judy. Directed by Dito Montiel; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in The Clapper

· 9 more
From the director

More from Dito Montiel

More films directed by Dito Montiel, best-rated first: A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, Fighting, Boulevard and Riff Raff.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Clapper Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Clapper 20% on Rotten Tomatoes and 21 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 30/100, strongest in character & emotion (50) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

30 /100

The Clapper Echo Score Breakdown

The Clapper struggles with tonal uncertainty and uninspired execution. Critics frequently cite its lackadaisical pacing, contrived narrative arcs, and confused blending of comedy and satire as key shortcomings. While a minority of user responses note moments of sincere character warmth, these do little to offset the prevailing sense of inconsistency. Even attempts at genuine social commentary feel underdeveloped. Consequently, the film conveys an uneven experience with limited narrative engagement and scant overall appeal.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 30

    In terms of Art & Craft, the film exhibits a generally uninspired visual and editorial approach. Critics describe the direction as tone-deaf and lacking commitment, and there are no notable praises for cinematography or production design. Occasional hints of charm are overshadowed by uneven pacing and flat presentation. Overall, the craft elements seldom enhance the viewing experience.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    When it comes to Character & Emotion, responses are mixed. Some viewers appreciate the genuine affection shown toward the protagonists and commend the nuanced interactions among oddball figures. However, critics note shallow character development and uncertain direction in performances, particularly citing uneven leads. While moments of emotional sincerity emerge, inconsistent depth and chemistry failures limit the film’s ability to engage on a personal level.

  • Story & Flow 30

    Regarding Story & Flow, the narrative is frequently deemed contrived and mismanaged. Critics point to a lackadaisical pacing and unclear genre intentions, with scenes shifting abruptly between comedy and satire without coherent progression. Despite an occasional spark of originality, the plot struggles with engagement and fails to build sufficient stakes, resulting in a disengaged viewing experience overall.

  • Sensory Experience 35

    In terms of Sensory Experience, the soundtrack and sound design make little lasting impression, and the visual style remains unremarkable. Critics describe the tonal inconsistencies as undercutting any potential stylistic cohesion. While some conversational moments generate mild interest, the overall auditory and visual presentation fails to establish a distinctive or compelling atmosphere.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    When evaluating Rewatch Factor, the film offers limited incentive for repeat viewings. Many critics describe it as quickly forgettable and lacking in memorable moments, and audience enthusiasm tends to wane after the initial screening. A handful of character-driven nuances may resonate marginally, but these are insufficient to overcome the broader sense of an insubstantial, ephemeral entertainment.

Plot

The Clapper Plot Summary

What happens in The Clapper from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 1-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Eddie Krumble is a widowed contract actor who spends his days as an audience member for infomercials, and he shares a close friendship with Chris. He also begins a budding romance with Judy, a shy gas station attendant.

One night, Stillerman, a late-night talk show host, spots him from the audience, and this attention triggers a strange turn in Eddie’s life. The show’s ongoing quest to find “the Clapper” leads to Eddie losing his job, and it also creates trouble for Judy, who ends up fired and who appears to go missing.

At first, Eddie resists offers to appear on the show without pay (there is a rule against paying guests), but pressure and circumstance push him to accept, as his aim becomes to locate Judy on air.

Full summary

The whole story of The Clapper, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

The Clapper Box Office

The Clapper grossed $6,961 worldwide.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$7K

International
$7K
Videos

The Clapper Trailers & Videos

The trailer of The Clapper.

The Clapper - Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Clapper?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the main protagonist of the film?

Cars

Cars in The Clapper

24 cars on screen, including the 1990 Honda Civic and the 2003 GMC TopKick.

All 24 cars
  • 1990 Honda Civic in The Clapper 1990 Honda Civic Main role
  • 2003 GMC TopKick in The Clapper 2003 GMC TopKick Minor role
  • Grumman-Olson Kurbmaster in The Clapper Grumman-Olson Kurbmaster Minor role
  • 2003 Lincoln Town Car in The Clapper 2003 Lincoln Town Car Minor role
Details

The Clapper Also Known As

13 alternative titles, including “더 클래퍼” and “Espectador Profesional”.

Also known as
  • 더 클래퍼
  • Espectador Profesional
  • ジュディーを探して:2018
  • 电视拍手者
  • Клакер
  • Espectador Profissional
  • Клакьорът
  • Klaskacz
  • המופע של אדי
  • Alkışçı The Clapper
  • Επάγγελμα: Παλαμάκιας
  • 捧场者
+1 more
  • ジュディーを探して

Seen The Clapper?

FAQ

The Clapper FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Clapper, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Clapper?

The Clapper runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).

When was The Clapper released?

The Clapper was released on January 26, 2018.

Who directed The Clapper?

The Clapper was directed by Dito Montiel.

More films by Dito Montiel

Who is in the cast of The Clapper?

The Clapper stars Ed Helms as Eddie Krumble, Tracy Morgan as Chris and Amanda Seyfried as Judy, among 13 credited actors.

How much did The Clapper make at the box office?

The Clapper grossed $6,961 worldwide.

How is The Clapper rated?

The Clapper has 5.1/10 on IMDb, 20% on Rotten Tomatoes, 21 on Metacritic and 49% on TMDB.

Does The Clapper have a post-credit scene?

No. The Clapper has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app