History Film / TheLastCircus

* NightmareSequence: Javier has one of Sergio killing his father.

* ShoutOut: The movie is similar in plot and theme to ''{{Theatre/Pagliacci}}''. [[DarkerAndEdgier A very twisted and horrifying]] version of ''Pagliacci''. However, the roles of protagonist and antagonist are reversed: it is the lover who is the protagonist and the cuckolded spouse who is the antagonist.

* DomesticAbuser: Sergio is this to Natalia.

* [[spoiler:DownerEnding]]

A 2011 BlackComedy directed by Álex de la Iglesia. In 1937, a clown is forcibly recruited by the militia to serve in the UsefulNotes/SpanishCivilWar where he manages to massacre an entire platoon with a machete. Years later in 1973 against the backdrop of [[UsefulNotes/FranciscoFranco Franco]]-era Spain, his son Javier follows in his father's footsteps, working as a SadClown. There he falls in love with the beautiful acrobat Natalia and in the process runs amok of her abusive lover, Sergio, the Happy Clown. A twisted love triangle ensues develops between the two clowns that escalates into insanity.

** Also definitely some of the [[TheNeidermeyer military characters]], having forcefully conscripted the circusmen and using [[spoiler:Javier]] as a hunting dog. [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment A more general assessment is not recommended, though.]]

** Also definitely some of the military characters, having forcefully conscripted the circusmen and using [[spoiler:Javier]] as a hunting dog. [[RuleOfCautiousEditingJudgment A more general assessment is not recommended, though.]]

* AssholeVictim: [[spoiler:Sergio.]] He lives, but [[spoiler:at a price.]]

* VillainProtagonist: Javier and Sergio when they both fall off the deep end.

* PetTheDog: Sergio seems to genuinely like kids, even if he disregards their safety.

* ShoutOut: The movie is similar in plot and theme to ''{{Pagliacci}}''. [[DarkerAndEdgier A very twisted and horrifying]] version of ''Pagliacci''. However, the roles of protagonist and antagonist are reversed: it is the lover who is the protagonist and the cuckolded spouse who is the antagonist.

* HistoricalDomainCharacter: Franco himself makes an appearance.

* WouldHurtAChild: Javier roughly pushes a child away at a diner to get to the jukebox and later points his gun at an other. Nothing happens, though.

* AncientTomb

A 2011 BlackComedy directed by Álex de la Iglesia. In 1937, a clown is forcibly recruited by the militia to serve in the UsefulNotes/SpanishCivilWar where he manages to massacre an entire platoon with a machete. Years later in 1973 against the backdrop of [[FranciscoFranco Franco]]-era Spain, his son Javier follows in his father's footsteps, working as a SadClown. There he falls in love with the beautiful acrobat Natalia and in the process runs amok of her abusive lover, Sergio, the Happy Clown. A twisted love triangle ensues develops between the two clowns that escalates into insanity.

** WordOfGod is that the ending, in which [[spoiler:Natalia falls from a great height and snaps her back]] was a reference to a [[ComicBook/TheNightGwenStacyDied a certain classic ''Spider-Man'' comic]].

Of all of Álex de la Iglesia's films(which include such twisted and weird fare as ''Accion Mutante'' and ''El Dia de La Bestia''), this is probably the darkest and most gritty. And that's saying something.

* MoralityPet: Natalia serves as this for both clowns. Sergio also shows genuine affection for kids, pretty much his only redeeming quality.

* SadClown

A 2011 BlackComedy directed by Álex de la Iglesia. In 1937, a clown is forcibly recruited by the militia to serve in the SpanishCivilWar where he manages to massacre an entire platoon with a machete. Years later in 1973 against the backdrop of [[FranciscoFranco Franco]]-era Spain, his son Javier follows in his father's footsteps, working as a SadClown. There he falls in love with the beautiful acrobat Natalia and in the process runs amok of her abusive lover, Sergio, the Happy Clown. A twisted love triangle ensues develops between the two clowns that escalates into insanity.

A 2011 BlackComedy directed by. Álex de la Iglesia. In 1937, a clown is forcibly recruited by the militia to serve in the SpanishCivilWar where he manages to massacre an entire platoon with a machete. Years later in 1973 against the backdrop of [[FranciscoFranco Franco]]-era Spain, his son Javier follows in his father's footsteps, working as a SadClown. There he falls in love with the beautiful acrobat Natalia and in the process runs amok of her abusive lover, Sergio, the Happy Clown. A twisted love triangle ensues develops between the two clowns that escalates into insanity.