As a die-hard horror fan with a soft spot for creative and gruesome slasher films, I am beyond excited about the announcement of Terrifier 4! Having seen the first three installments, it’s clear that Damien Leone has crafted an original and captivating franchise that leaves me on the edge of my seat.
The third installment of Damien Leone’s “Terrifier” series is making waves critically, but not everyone is on board. Some viewers who attended the U.K. premiere left the theater during the opening scene due to the graphic violence, a common response to Leone’s boundary-testing gore. To make matters worse, France has prohibited anyone under 18 from watching the holiday slasher film in cinemas. This isn’t unfamiliar territory for the Philadelphia native, as his $250,000 budgeted “Terrifier 2” (2022) stirred up similar controversy on its way to becoming an unanticipated critical and financial success, earning $15.7 million at the global box office.
The DIY horror series, which truly took off with 2016’s “Terrifier”, garnered additional funding for its third installment. This included a $2 million budget and a professional makeup effects team. As a result, the filmmakers, Leone (a former special effects makeup artist) and producer Phil Falcone, didn’t need to halt production to create the gruesomely gory materials themselves. However, this sudden increase in financial resources also brought about a new type of pressure that Leone, as a fully-fledged feature director, hadn’t felt before.
In certain aspects, the production was less challenging, but Terrifier 3 turned out to be the most nerve-wracking and high-pressure film I’ve ever been involved with. As Leone explained to The Hollywood Reporter before the October 11 theatrical release of Terrifier 3, ‘More money means more problems,’ is a reality. Unlike the previous films, which were quite DIY and produced at our leisure, we didn’t have anyone constantly pushing us with deadlines. I’m not implying this as a criticism, but it’s just the way things usually go.
As a hardcore gamer, I was thrilled to be among the first to witness the world premiere of Terrifier 3 at Fantastic Fest on Sept. 19. During the post-screening Q&A, director Leone hinted at potential plans for a fourth film, but he also reminded us that the success of Terrifier 3 will largely determine how soon we’ll find out what happens next in its nail-biting cliffhanger ending – one that leaves me on the edge of my seat just like after watching Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back.
Leone didn’t want the surprise announcement: “Terrifier 4 is in development!” Instead, he prefers to share the news when it’s more appropriate. Currently, he has a lot of plans for Terrifier 4, and if Terrifier 3 performs well and continues to receive positive feedback, there’s a chance he might start working on it immediately.
In Leone’s second installment, some fans who are enthusiasts of the genre criticized its long 138-minute length, as slasher movies usually don’t exceed the 90-minute mark (with exceptions like Scream, which is known for pushing the limits with two-hour runtimes). However, Leone aimed to strike a balance this time around. Despite his efforts, he ended up with a nearly 2.5-hour cut that he found enjoyable. In order to meet his partners’ preference of a runtime closer to two hours, he decided to remove substantial content. He hopes this edited material will be included in an extended version at some point in the future.
Leone mentions that he ended up removing around five scenes from the movie, many of which he was particularly fond of. These scenes contained some wonderful character interactions that greatly enhanced the relationships, but perhaps in the future, there could be a longer edition.
5 years after the events of “Terrifier 2”, “Terrifier 3” finds Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) and Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera) in different circumstances. While Sienna is trying to celebrate Christmas with her family, she once again finds herself on a path colliding with her arch-nemesis, Art.
During my latest chat with THR, I shared some insights about LaVera’s role in our game franchise and delved into the intriguing dream sequence featuring her character that we’ve been hinting at in our movie promotions. As a gamer, it’s fascinating to uncover more about these digital personalities and their place within the gaming universe!
In the movie Terrifier 3, why does the storyline leap forward by five years? What incited this dormant phase experienced by all the characters?
Elliot Fullam [who plays Sienna’s younger brother Jonathan].
Especially after he grew two feet in the middle of the Covid-interrupted Terrifier 2.
Absolutely. He was reaching his senior years, and due to his advanced age in “Terrifier 2”, I decided to set the following events during the Christmas season that immediately followed it. However, it became challenging to maintain consistency with the timeline as we were already a few years behind (in 2018). To rectify this, I opted to update the story and make it contemporary. The story now unfolds in 2023 or 2024, which seemed like the most suitable choice for continuity reasons.
Previously, we discussed your ability to bring on board a professional makeup effects team for Terrifier 3. This meant you no longer needed to halt production for extended periods to collaborate with your producer Phil Falcone on effect designs. Additionally, you had a budget for Terrifier 3 that was eight times larger than that of Terrifier 2. How would you describe the difference these additional resources made in your production process?
This project was simultaneously more challenging and taxing than any other I’ve undertaken, yet it also presented unique ease. The phrase “more money, more problems” certainly holds true here, as I encountered a multitude of new faces – both in front of the camera, behind it, and off-screen – that I hadn’t dealt with before. Balancing these diverse perspectives was tough, especially given the increased number of departments and crew members involved. The pressure mounted as we had to complete this film within a tight deadline. Once the countdown began, there was no stopping; it felt like a speeding train, leaving me scrambling to keep up and make quick, informed decisions under immense time constraints, all while acutely aware of the financial investment at stake.
Instead of saying “The two other films were very homemade,” you could rephrase as “We had a more independent approach when making the other two movies.” This implies that the production process was less commercial and more self-directed, without external pressures such as deadlines imposed by others. The subsequent sentence about not having anyone breathing down their neck can be paraphrased as “There was no one constantly urging us to speed up the process or meet specific release dates.” This is again emphasizing the lack of external pressure and control during the production process. The next part, “And I’m not saying this as a negative critique,” could be rephrased as “I’m not implying that this was a disadvantageous approach.” This clarifies that the method wasn’t inherently bad but rather unique to the circumstances. Lastly, you can paraphrase the last sentence as “The nature of these films required us to work under tight deadlines to meet a specific release date,” or even simpler, “These films demanded a quick turnaround for their release.” This emphasizes the pressure and time constraints associated with these productions.
However, it’s worth noting that my filmmaking journey on “Terrifier 2” was extended due to the presence of an exceptional team led by Christien Tinsley’s special makeup effects unit. This team eased a substantial load from my shoulders, allowing me to concentrate on other facets and potentially enhance my skills as a director in the long run. As a result, I could devote more time to my actors and collaborate closely with my director of photography, George Steuber, throughout the day. Consequently, greater care was taken in those specific areas that may have been compromised slightly in earlier productions due to my preoccupation with makeup effects.
As a gamer, I’m curious if the journals found in Terrifier 3 were actually written by Lauren LaVera, channeling Sienna Shaw as she did for Terrifier 2. Was it her personal journaling that brought Sienna’s entries to life?
Indeed, they didn’t do that, but I find your suggestion intriguing. It could potentially stem from her subconsciously, though it’s hard to say for certain. You might recall me mentioning this before, but Sienna has become my preferred character within the series. Now, she embodies the essence of this franchise more than Art the Clown does at this juncture. In essence, her story is what we are tracing. The viewers are experiencing her journey and hopefully empathizing with her.
It was thrilling to delve into this phase of the character’s journey and discover where she stands now. Five years have passed since her devastating ordeal, and she continues to undergo an extraordinary spiritual change, a profound transformation. The question is, how does she manage it all? How does she stay mentally stable? Is she still mentally sound? Can she still be the fierce warrior we introduced in Terrifier 2? I found this aspect of her development fascinating, as she now displays a maturity that was not evident in the second film. She takes on a more nurturing role towards her young cousin Gabbie, which adds a fresh perspective to her story. In essence, we’re witnessing a new stage in her life unfold.
In the trailer, there are glimpses of Sienna’s dream. Can you interpret the strange scene where a masked individual is crafting a weapon near an image resembling the Virgin Mary?
It’s unclear if these events are dreams or prophetic visions. Could it be that she’s experiencing an out-of-body state? Further details and clarifications might be provided in subsequent parts of the story. However, since Terrifier 3 is themed around Christmas, I wanted to incorporate more biblical symbolism into the film. You’ll notice churches, statues of Mary, and depictions of the Last Supper scattered throughout. I grew up Catholic, so these images are deeply ingrained in my memory. Even in the second installment, we introduced a major struggle between good and evil involving Sienna and Art, with heaven and hell imagery prominent. In this film, I wanted to continue that theme. The dream sequence you mentioned is not just an added visual element for entertainment purposes; if we’re fortunate, it could play a significant role in the storyline.
Does the film’s conclusion leave viewers eagerly anticipating a fourth installment? Have you already made significant progress in developing the plot for the next film?
As a gamer, I didn’t want that surprise announcement to drop out of nowhere: “Terrifier 4 is in the works!” We screened the movie at Fantastic Fest and had a Q&A afterward. And just like you mentioned, if you watch this film, it’s clear as day there will be more. It ends with an obvious cliffhanger, much like our Empire Strikes Back in the saga. So when someone asked me about future installments, I replied, “Well, you just watched the movie, so of course, there will be more. I wouldn’t leave the audience hanging like that.
I’ve got a clear idea about where I intend to lead “Terrifier 4”, and in fact, when writing part two, I already had a good grasp of how I wanted to conclude the series. It’s beneficial to have such a plan because determining the end point is often the most challenging aspect, particularly if it results in a satisfying conclusion. Currently, I’ve mapped out much of it, and if “Terrifier 3” performs well and continues to receive positive feedback, with audiences eagerly anticipating the next installment, then I may jump straight into that project.
Regarding Terrifier 3, it runs for approximately 125 minutes. Was there any content you had to discard during editing process?
Initially, we opted against creating another lengthy film like Terrifier 2 due to its runtime causing controversy. To avoid this issue, I aimed for a more traditional slasher movie duration, but the film still reached two hours and 25 minutes. Recognizing that we couldn’t repeat this, I made the tough decision to remove about five scenes from the film. These scenes contained significant character moments that added depth to relationships, which I deeply cherished, but unfortunately had to be excised. However, there might be an extended version in the future.
Additionally, it appears the ending of the film might have been around ten extra pages long. The final scenes contained numerous jokes and frightening moments, but these were removed during the production process. As the production date approached and I realized how large this project had become, I understood that these additions would significantly increase the running time. Consequently, there were parts of the script we never even filmed.
It’s frustrating when people label some scenes in movies like Terrifier 2 and Terrifier 3 as “filler.” What they often mean by “filler” is unnecessary or unimportant content, such as a character smoking or wandering aimlessly. However, these movies have an abundance of material and intricate storytelling that goes beyond just filling time. Instead, they are rich in detail and plot development, making the label of “filler” misleading and unjustified.
I’d really look forward to repeating this next year, but it might be a bit soon. There’s no rush though.
Don’t be surprised! It might happen.
***
Terrifier 3 releases in theaters nationwide on Oct. 11.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-10-05 02:26