Joseph Kelly’s blood-soaked horror sequel, Clown Motel: 3 Ways to Hell, is making its presence felt in the digital horror marketplace, appearing at No. 12 on Fandango at Home’s New to Rent horror chart in a promotional screenshot that also celebrates the film’s Top 6 clown-movie recognition.
For independent horror filmmaker Joseph Kelly, the placement represents another exciting milestone for a franchise built around one of America’s most unusual and unsettling destinations: the infamous Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada.
Available through Fandango at Home, Vudu-branded promotions and Amazon digital rental and purchase channels, Clown Motel: 3 Ways to Hell brings a new level of supernatural terror to the franchise, combining military action, demonic possession, satanic rituals and an army of murderous clowns.
And this time, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Welcome Back to the Clown Motel — Where Hell Is Just One Room Away
The story picks up after a military squad mysteriously disappears during an encounter with the terrifying forces surrounding the Clown Motel.
A year later, a rescue mission is launched to uncover what happened to the missing soldiers. But what begins as a search-and-rescue operation quickly descends into a supernatural nightmare.
Deep within the motel’s horrifying secrets, an ancient evil is preparing to unleash its ultimate plan.
The Queen of the Clowns is gathering five human sacrifices in a ritual designed to open the gates of Hell and transform the world into a playground for demonic forces.
As reality begins to collapse and the boundary between the living world and the underworld disappears, the remaining survivors must confront a terrifying army of supernatural clowns.
The result is an ambitious blend of occult horror, survival action and the kind of outrageous, blood-soaked spectacle that fans of independent horror have come to appreciate.
A Cast Featuring Familiar Faces From Horror History
One of the film’s biggest attractions is its impressive collection of performers with connections to some of horror cinema’s most recognizable franchises.
The cast includes:
- Tony Moran, known for portraying Michael Myers in the original Halloween (1978), appearing as Frank.
- Ron Russell, acclaimed actor and co-host of The Jimmy Star Show with Ron Russell, appearing as General Milan. Russell has established a strong presence in independent horror with performances in Clown Fear, Clown Motel 2: To Death Do Us Part, Croaker and The Beast Inside.
- Ari Lehman, the original young Jason Voorhees from Friday the 13th (1980), appearing as Pyscan.
- Lisa Wilcox, best known for playing Alice Johnson in A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master and The Dream Child, appearing as Golden Claw.
- Eileen Dietz, whose work includes The Exorcist, portraying the Queen of the Clowns.
- Brett Wagner, associated with the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise, appearing as Ox.
- Dawna Lee Heising, appearing as Crystal Ball.
- Mindy Robinson, appearing as Specialist Taylor.
- Shawn C. Phillips, appearing as Roger.
- Nicole Butler, appearing as Sabre Sparkles.
The ensemble also includes numerous performers portraying demonic clowns, military personnel and other characters caught in the increasingly bizarre nightmare.
For longtime horror enthusiasts, seeing actors connected to Halloween, Friday the 13th, A Nightmare on Elm Street and The Exorcist gathered in one independent production adds another layer of appeal.
Joseph Kelly Takes the Franchise to a Bigger, Bloodier Level
Written and directed by Joseph Kelly, Clown Motel: 3 Ways to Hell represents an ambitious expansion of the filmmaker’s independently produced horror universe.
Rather than simply repeating the familiar formula of unsuspecting travelers encountering murderous clowns, Kelly expands the mythology into a supernatural confrontation involving ancient evil, organized clown societies and a battle that threatens humanity itself.
The production also embraced the challenge of shooting in practical locations, including the actual Clown Motel in Tonopah, Nevada.
Additional locations described during the film’s crowdfunding campaign included an Old Western town, a graveyard, a lake, an island and an escape room.
The filmmakers also planned an enormous ensemble featuring more than 100 clowns, turning the production into an unusually large undertaking for an independent horror feature.
Fandango Chart Placement Gives Independent Horror Another Victory
The promotional image shows Clown Motel: 3 Ways to Hell occupying the No. 12 position on Fandango at Home’s New to Rent horror chart, alongside a separate Top 6 clown-movie promotional distinction.
For an independently produced horror film, visibility on a major digital entertainment platform is an important accomplishment.
The chart appearance puts the movie in front of audiences browsing for new horror entertainment, potentially introducing the franchise to viewers unfamiliar with Kelly’s earlier films.
It also demonstrates the opportunities available to independent filmmakers through digital distribution, where genre films can reach audiences without relying exclusively on traditional theatrical releases.
While the promotional ranking does not establish specific sales or rental totals, it provides a noteworthy moment of visibility for the production.
The Real Clown Motel: A Horror Destination Unlike Any Other
Part of the franchise’s appeal comes from its real-world inspiration.
Located in Tonopah, Nevada, the Clown Motel has become an unusual destination for travelers fascinated by paranormal stories, creepy roadside attractions and the unsettling imagery of hundreds of clown figures.
Its proximity to an old cemetery only adds to the atmosphere.
For horror filmmakers, the location offers something difficult to manufacture on a soundstage: an existing destination with a reputation that already feels like the beginning of a scary movie.
Kelly has transformed that setting into the foundation of a developing horror franchise, using the motel’s distinctive identity as a springboard for increasingly elaborate stories.
A Franchise That Refuses to Check Out
Originally premiering on October 25, 2025, Clown Motel: 3 Ways to Hell runs approximately 95 minutes and continues the mythology established by the earlier installments.
Its expansion into demonic clown armies and supernatural warfare gives the franchise plenty of room to explore additional stories
Its expansion into demonic clown armies and supernatural warfare gives the franchise plenty of room to explore additional stories.
For fans of outrageous independent horror, the combination of familiar genre actors, practical locations, supernatural mythology and killer clowns offers an alternative to mainstream studio horror.
And with its appearance on Fandango’s horror rental chart, the latest installment is finding another opportunity to attract attention.
One thing is certain: Joseph Kelly’s Clown Motel is still open for business.
Checking in might be easy. Surviving the night is another story.
Watch Clown Motel: 3 Ways to Hell
The film is promoted for digital rental or purchase through Fandango at Home and Amazon.
Film information: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt26693572/
Official teaser: https://vimeo.com/1128494375
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