While living in such a hectic time, what better way to relax than to watch a movie with friends — even if it’s done virtually.

There is no better way to unwind and relax than with some laughs, and the best way to do so is by poking fun at a classic horror movie that terrified our parents. Since it is back to school season, it seemed fitting to take a trip to the past.

“Killer Klowns from Outer Space” is a sci-fi/horror comedy movie from 1988, when horror movies with creative plots and concepts were a hit. The premise of the film focuses on aliens that land on Earth who are on a mission to annihilate as many humans as possible. But what sets this movie apart from the countless other sci-fi movies that came out in the same era? The aliens just so happen to look like circus clowns.

Although it is rated PG-13, there are some gory scenes since the aliens have no other interests besides killing humans. It all starts when their spaceship lands in the woods. Two unlucky teenagers, Debbie Stone and Mike Tobacco, are the second pair to find the spaceship after deciding to locate what they believed was a comet. The rest of the movie follows them and Police Officer Dave Hanson as they try to convince officials from outside their small town that killer clowns are on the loose, all while trying to control the shenanigans of the Terenzi brothers who seem to attract chaos no matter what they do. Tobacco even goes so far as to say, “They do this all the time. Those guys are like cats. They always land on their feet.”

Overall, the movie is excellent considering the era it was released in. At first glance, it seems like another 70s or 80s horror film set up for failure, but the film competently embraces its wacky nature. When the clowns attempt to capture their victims, they use a range of methods such as encasing their victims in cotton candy, creating a balloon dog to chase after them and using shadow puppets to trap them inside a bag full of popcorn. Oh, and who can forget about the fatal pie to the face!

The acting also fits the film. It is not too over the top or exaggerated as many films from the genre tended to be in the 80s. By the end of the movie, you’re still left wondering where these aliens came from in the first place.

If you’re in the mood for a must-see throwback, you can find this movie on Netflix. Prepare yourself for a night filled with laughter.