Colin Krawchuk has come a long way from filming homemade horror shorts each Halloween. What began as a simple idea between two friends has since grown into one of the most distinctive modern genre villains, The Jester, whose viral rise from YouTube folklore to full scale cinema continues with the highly anticipated sequel, Jester 2. Speaking with Movieland, Krawchuk reflects on inspiration, creative pressure, surprises, and the challenge of shaping a silent menace with personality.
Krawchuk never expected The Jester to evolve into a global phenomenon. The original short was made with the same care as every other DIY project the team produced, yet audiences connected immediately. The character’s mysterious behaviour, playful movements, and eerie magician inspired mischief created a villain who felt more like an urban legend than a traditional slasher. “The scariest parts of an urban legend are the unanswered questions,” he explains. The short embraced that idea by revealing only what was necessary, letting imagination do the rest.
When the time came to adapt The Jester into a feature film, Krawchuk found himself facing a completely different creative world. Writing long form narrative for the first time was “trial by fire,” but the transition helped him discover which elements truly defined the character. For Jester 2, he aimed to return to the charm and unpredictability that made the shorts so memorable. “He is playful, whimsical, and always three steps ahead. The fun is in the unpredictability,” he says.
Directing a masked, silent character requires precision. Krawchuk writes full dialogue for The Jester in the script, giving actor Michael Shea emotional intent even though none of it is spoken. Performance shifts based on mood, from exaggerated theatricality to unsettling stillness. Sometimes the most effective ideas emerged spontaneously on set, like catching Shea casually leaning on a wall between takes and deciding that relaxed posture revealed a whole new side of the character.
Despite the chaos of horror filmmaking, Krawchuk is most proud of the quieter emotional moments in the sequel. One scene between characters Max and Willie stands out for him, offering warmth, connection, and character depth before The Jester later twists their conversation into something sinister. “Being able to take a couple of minutes for heart in a movie like this is really special,” he says.
Looking back on his journey, Krawchuk values one thing above all. “I made something and I finished something,” he says. From childhood memories of watching the making of Jurassic Park to discovering his voice through horror, the path has been long but fulfilling. While he intends to explore other genres, horror remains a place of creative freedom. “A low budget horror film can be the best movie of the year. Execution and concept matter more than money.”
Before signing off, Krawchuk left movie lovers with six personal recommendations: Collateral, The Blob, Whiplash, Apollo 11, Monsters, and his favourite horror film, John Carpenter’s The Thing.
The original Jester is streaming free on YouTube Movies in Australia, with Jester 2 now available on digital and DVD.
Watch The Jester 2
