Wrinkles the Clown

A local news report describes how fear can escalate in a community, comparing it to the reactions surrounding serial violence. A caller mentions a figure called Wrinkles the Clown, who offers to scare misbehaving children for money. latestnetflix.com's take is that the voicemail greeting repeats that Wrinkles is unavailable but invites callers to leave a message.

A reporter introduces Wrinkles as a creepy clown available for hire, noting his red and white polka-dot suit. Another reporter asks why Wrinkles scares children who cannot defend themselves, while a caller expresses excitement about leaving a message for Wrinkles. A news segment shows Wrinkles lurking under a child’s bed, described as a person of interest.

A caller admits hiding under a girl’s bed once and clarifies that Wrinkles does not actually harm children. Another caller describes Wrinkles as a legend seen around town, including at the Collier County fair. A sheriff’s department warns Wrinkles not to appear on Halloween, threatening arrest if children see him.

A group of children spot Wrinkles and ask for a photo, calling him a legend. A caller explains finding Wrinkles’ number online and finally reaching him, describing the experience as thrilling. Another caller says Wrinkles brings energy to the neighborhood and insists he is real.

A father leaves a message for Wrinkles, threatening to give him an address if the children do not stop misbehaving. The father describes Wrinkles as a way to discipline kids, saying he shows up outside homes and leaves stickers as warnings. A child describes Wrinkles’ voice as threatening to eat her if she is bad.

A developmental psychologist condemns the idea of terrorizing children as psychological maltreatment. A parent admits using Wrinkles’ voicemail as a disciplinary tactic, saying the voice alone is enough to scare a child. Another parent compares Wrinkles’ tactics to psychological warfare, questioning whether it is less harmful than physical punishment.

A child describes calling Wrinkles after seeing videos online, saying the experience felt real and led to nightmares. The child’s parents express concern about the accessibility of such content. A caller describes making YouTube videos about Wrinkles, hoping to capture his reaction to prank calls.

A folklorist explains how digital folklore spreads rapidly through online communities. A group of children perform a ritual by calling Wrinkles’ number, documenting the voicemail greeting as part of the performance. One child admits feeling paranoid after watching videos of Wrinkles, taking precautions like removing box springs and locking windows.

A caller asks Wrinkles to kidnap a misbehaving child, while another caller jokes about pushing Wrinkles into a pond with alligators. A comedian describes first hearing about Wrinkles as a child and feeling frightened by the idea of him visiting homes. The comedian later embraced the character for performances, finding it liberating to adopt a different persona.

A caller describes Wrinkles as a bogeyman-like figure who exists in reality. Another caller speculates that Wrinkles might have multiple personalities or mental health issues. A news segment revisits the history of evil clowns, tracing the trope back to characters like Mr. Punch and John Wayne Gacy.

Wrinkles explains that he started as a regular clown but shifted to a more menacing persona after moving to Florida, where makeup melts quickly in the heat. He describes receiving hundreds of voicemails daily, including threats and requests from parents seeking to discipline their children. Wrinkles admits that his favorite scares are the ones that pay the most.

A caller describes Wrinkles as a 65-year-old man who walks everywhere and refuses to drive. Another caller speculates that Wrinkles lives in a shack but could be a wealthy resident in disguise. Wrinkles insists on keeping his identity hidden to preserve the mystery of the character and avoid personal repercussions.

A caller asks Wrinkles to reveal his real name and intentions, expressing distrust of the masked figure. Wrinkles responds that the character is what people make of it, with some seeing him as funny, others as scary, and some as a ghost or paranormal entity. A caller admits never expecting anyone to believe Wrinkles is real, let alone a person who scares children for money.

A filmmaker describes creating Wrinkles’ online presence, including a website and YouTube channel, after the character went viral. The filmmaker notes that Wrinkles’ legend grew after local news coverage, turning the character into an internet phenomenon. The filmmaker also describes the backlash and threats directed at Wrinkles.

A caller describes the spread of clown sightings across the country, with reports of clowns attempting to lure children into the woods. Law enforcement responds to the panic, patrolling areas where clowns are reported. A caller expresses fear that someone might imitate Wrinkles with violent intentions.

A caller describes the psychological impact of the clown phenomenon, noting that children are arming themselves in response. Another caller describes a school lockdown after clown threats, emphasizing the severity of the situation. Wrinkles expresses concern that the panic could lead to violence falsely attributed to him.

A filmmaker describes the creative process behind Wrinkles’ videos, including staging scenes to maximize fear and ambiguity. The filmmaker notes that the abrupt endings leave room for imagination, allowing viewers to fill in what happens next. The filmmaker also describes the personal impact of the project, which exceeded expectations.

A caller describes the internet troll aspect of Wrinkles, noting that the character provokes reactions ranging from laughter to terror. Another caller describes calling Wrinkles as a way to test boundaries and see what happens. The filmmaker reflects on the dual nature of Wrinkles’ reception, with some loving the character and others hoping for his demise.

A caller expresses admiration for Wrinkles, calling him a role model and asking for a high five. Wrinkles responds playfully, engaging with the caller before departing. The filmmaker reflects on how people interpret Wrinkles differently, taking the limited information they have and shaping their own narratives.