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Horror thriller

The Jester (2023): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

The Jester (2023) movie poster

The Jester is a 2023 horror thriller directed by Colin Krawchuk, starring Ken Arnold as Pastor Lewis, Sam Lukowski and Joe Hansard. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $1.1 million worldwide. Critics gave it 29% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 3.9/10.

IMDb rating
3.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes
29%
worldwide gross
$1.1M
Echo Score
35
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The Jester (2023) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 30m (90 min)
Director
Colin Krawchuk
Genres
Horror , Mystery , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Jester About?

The premise of The Jester without spoilers.

On Halloween night, a vengeful spirit known as The Jester brings terror to a quiet town, forcing two sisters who have grown apart to reunite. They must confront a shared, troubled past as the night spirals into chaos. To survive, the sisters must set aside their differences and work together to outsmart the malevolent entity before it consumes everything.

The Jester Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • halloween
  • police
  • teenage girl
  • group of friends
  • murder
  • ghost
  • trick or treat
  • halloween costume
  • fear
  • clerk
  • cemetery
  • jester
+38 more
  • sister
  • town
  • evil
  • masked killer
  • halloween decoration
  • masked villain
  • two word title
  • grindhouse film
  • magic trick
  • character name as title
  • slasher killer
  • slasher horror
  • half sister half sister relationship
  • police officer killed
  • smoking
  • smoking joint
  • smoking drugs
  • smoking a joint
  • man smoking
  • young woman smoking
  • evil entity
  • blood
  • blood and gore
  • decapitation
  • halloween night
  • decapitated body
  • hanging man
  • hanging
  • hanging a man
  • supernatural entity
  • malevolent entity
  • halloween carnival
  • halloween mask
  • halloween candy
  • cop shot
  • swearing
  • drug use
  • profanity
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Cast & crew

The Jester Cast & Characters

Ken Arnold leads the cast as Pastor Lewis, with Sam Lukowski as Liquor Store Clerk and Joe Hansard as Larry. Directed by Colin Krawchuk; 20 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Colin Krawchuk

More films directed by Colin Krawchuk: The Jester 2 and The Jester: Chapter 2.

Full filmography
Ratings

The Jester Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Jester 29% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 3.9/10. Our Echo Score gives it 35/100, strongest in sensory experience (55) and weakest in rewatch factor (30).

35 /100

The Jester Echo Score Breakdown

Overall, The Jester garners a largely negative reception, with critics and most viewers highlighting a disjointed narrative and weak performances despite occasional visual flair. The film's premise and the titular villain receive occasional praise for originality, yet the surrounding screenplay and character work repeatedly undermine its impact. Consequently, the movie struggles to sustain engagement, resulting in limited rewatch appeal and a consensus that it falls short of genre expectations.

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

  • Art & Craft 45

    In terms of art and craft, the film displays flashes of visual inventiveness, particularly in its practical effects and the Jester's distinctive design. Critics note the director's talent for striking imagery, while some users commend the magician‑like tricks and snazzy costuming. However, these strengths are offset by uneven editing and a lack of cohesive visual storytelling, leading to an overall mixed impression of the film's craftsmanship.

  • Character & Emotion 30

    When assessing character and emotion, reviewers consistently criticize the acting and depth of the human cast. Performances are described as lifeless and two‑dimensional, with little chemistry among the protagonists. Although a few users acknowledge the Jester's compelling presence, the surrounding characters fail to convey believable emotions, resulting in a weak emotional core that hampers audience investment.

  • Story & Flow 35

    Regarding story and flow, the narrative is frequently labeled chaotic, illogical, and poorly paced. Critics point to a lead‑footed plot and disjointed scene transitions, while users echo frustrations over a lack of coherent stakes and absurd plot points. A minority of viewers note occasional engaging moments, but the overall consensus is that the screenplay does not sustain tension or originality.

  • Sensory Experience 55

    The sensory experience receives a more balanced assessment. Visual style, including the Jester's eerie movements and practical effects, is praised for its atmospheric quality. Some users highlight effective sound cues and a creepy aesthetic that enhance tension. Nevertheless, inconsistencies in sound design and uneven visual cohesion prevent the sensory elements from fully elevating the film.

  • Rewatch Factor 30

    The rewatch factor is generally low, as most reviewers find the film's flaws outweigh its occasional strengths. Negative feedback on story coherence and acting reduces the desire for repeat viewings. While a small segment of the audience expresses enthusiasm for the villain and suggests potential sequels, the prevailing sentiment indicates limited lasting appeal.

Box office

The Jester Box Office

The Jester grossed $1.1 million worldwide.

2023 box office

Worldwide gross

$1.1M

International
$1.1M
Videos

The Jester Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 1 trailer and 4 clips.

Official Trailer
  • Clip Emma and The Jester
  • Clip Dancing
  • Clip The Clerk
  • Clip Groundskeepers
Cars

Cars in The Jester

7 cars on screen, including the 2018 Chrysler Pacifica and the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan.

All 7 cars
  • 2018 Chrysler Pacifica in The Jester 2018 Chrysler Pacifica Background role
  • 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan in The Jester 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan Background role
  • 2019 Ford Fusion in The Jester 2019 Ford Fusion Background role
  • 2021 Lexus IS in The Jester 2021 Lexus IS Background role
Details

The Jester Also Known As

11 alternative titles, including “夺命小丑” and “הליצן”.

Also known as
  • 夺命小丑
  • הליצן
  • El bufón
  • The Jester - He will terrify ya
  • Джестер
  • Jester: A Morte Sorri
  • Šaljivdžija
  • 奪命小丑
  • Jester: İntikam Gecesi
  • Juokdarys, მასხარა
  • 더 제스터

Seen The Jester?

FAQ

The Jester FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

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

How long is The Jester?

The Jester runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).

When was The Jester released?

The Jester was released on October 3, 2023.

Who directed The Jester?

The Jester was directed by Colin Krawchuk.

More films by Colin Krawchuk

Who is in the cast of The Jester?

The Jester stars Ken Arnold as Pastor Lewis, Sam Lukowski as Liquor Store Clerk and Joe Hansard as Larry, among 20 credited actors.

How much did The Jester make at the box office?

The Jester grossed $1.1 million worldwide.

How is The Jester rated?

The Jester has 3.9/10 on IMDb, 29% on Rotten Tomatoes, 62% on TMDB and 1.6/5 on Letterboxd.

Does The Jester have a post-credit scene?

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

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