Wes Craven Presents Carnival of Souls is directed by Adam Grossman, who also wrote the script, and Ian Kessner. It has nothing to do with Herk Harvey’s Carnival of Souls other than the name. What it does have is comedian Larry Miller as a carnival clown named Louis Seagram. In 1977, he raped and murdered the mother of Alex Grant (Bobbie Phillips). After he’s released from prison, he attacks Alex in her car, which she drives into a river — maybe it has a little bit of the original, including a role for Sidney Berger, who was in the Herk Harvey film — and dreams of the carnival where she first saw the clown.

Candace Hilligoss, star of the original, turned down a role. She saw this and hated it, saying that if anyone sees the words “A film by Adam Grossman” they should run for the exit. She also blasted Craven for putting his “signature crap” all over it, saying he should be “hung up by his thumbs at Hollywood and Vine for fans to stone, because he so devastated the intent of the original.”

Other Grossman films that Hilligoss should not watch include Sometimes They Come Back… Again and  Sometimes They Come Back… for More.

I don’t think this movie is exactly great but the fact that it isn’t bad is a major success. Miller is really good in this and really plays a great villain. And hey — Shawnee Smith!

You can watch this on Tubi.