Before you watch ‘Off Ramp’ take your preconceived notions about Juggalos and set them aside because this degenerate road trip to the annual Gathering of the Juggalos will shine a new light on what it means to call someone Family. This is the first feature for director/co-writer Nathan Tape and you can really tell that he’s done his homework on the culture of the clowns. I’m always a little nervous about films like this getting their laughs at the expense of groups commonly being used as the butt of jokes, but ‘Off Ramp’ never stoops to punch down. Instead it leans into the inherent ridiculousness of the lifestyle while lifting up the sincerity and heart of the relationships being portrayed.
What makes ‘Off Ramp’ so special? It’s all about family, but not the family you’re born into necessarily, the family you find when your own family doesn’t have your back. This is what the Juggalos exhort above all out. As the film starts Trey (Jon Oswald) is being released from jail. Silas (Scott Turner Schofield) arrives to pick him up and begin their annual sojourn to The Gathering. As the van moving down the road keeps the film going forward the chat between the two long time friends provides context for the audience on the nature of their relationship as well as the ethos of the Juggalo lifestyle. But what fun would a road trip movie be if shit didn’t go upside down pretty quickly? After an unfortunate encounter with the police Trey and Silas find themselves needing to get off the road and find alternate transportation as quickly as possible. Thankfully estranged frenemy Scarecrow (Jared Bankens) lives nearby. Their unwelcome arrival at Scarecrow’s double wide in the middle of a salvage yard kicks things into high gear and the batshit action starts coming at them at a breakneck pace.
Credit: Media Darling ProductionsAn unexpected highlight of the film is the relationship that Trey and Silas develop with Scarecrow’s sister Eden (Ashley Smith). Life has been rough for Eden and the duo hope to take her along to the Dark Carnival…once they can convince her that not all Juggalos are as bad as Scarecrow. Although their bond with her is formed quickly it still feels genuine and earnest. It’s not long before things catch up with Trey and Silas and the action spills into the dark and bloody territory that genre fans look forward to, but every grisly moment is peppered with gags that provide levity without ever seeming forced or ridiculous.
Tape with co-writer Tim Cairo (fans may recognize his dark and witty style from 2017’s ‘Lowlife’ which also starred Oswald) started out to create a comedy but uncovered a much meatier and more rewarding story for fans of carnage and genuineness alike. You never stop wanting these characters to win, even when they are making the absolute worst decisions. Oswald and Schofield become these characters so completely that it’s hard to believe they didn’t come to the project as lifetime Insane Clown Posse fans. The character details written and embodied in the performances feel real, and if you’ve ever spent any time around Juggalos, the winking absurdity is spot on as well. Hopefully once this film becomes more widely available viewers will gather their found family, grab a few cans of Faygo and let The Carnival provide a really great time.
‘Off Ramp’ screened at Panic Fest on April 7th, 2024.
