As a gamer with a background in education and a soft spot for horror movies, I find myself intrigued by the unique perspective David Howard Thornton brings to the table in “Terrifier 3”. His role as Art the Clown demands a delicate balance between terror and humanity, which is no easy feat.
After much anticipation, “Terrifier 3” has officially been set for release in 2024, and devotees of this grisly and acclaimed horror series are gearing up for more macabre chaos courtesy of the notorious Art the Clown. However, a topic that’s sparking debate about the film is its portrayal of children amidst the carnage, a subject seldom tackled so daringly in slasher flicks. In a recent open conversation, David Howard Thornton – the person behind the terrifying Art the Clown persona – has shared his mixed emotions regarding this aspect.
Thornton, known for creating the chilling character Art the Clown in horror films, surprisingly has a background outside of the genre. As a former teacher, this experience shapes his unique viewpoint on portraying children in such intense scenarios. In an interview with Total Film, he discussed how his teaching past influences his work.
In truth, my educational background lies in teaching, which naturally makes me fond of children. However, let’s make it clear that we’re discussing horror films here, and Pennywise is one such example. The character is terrifying because he preys on and devours children. This is a common theme, or as you might say, a trope, in these types of stories.
It’s crucial that The Mean One actor recognizes the trope, considering the extensive history of scary child characters in horror, such as those seen in Stephen King’s ‘It’ and ‘The Omen’. However, what truly distinguishes Thornton is his evident unease about crossing boundaries.
He stressed that while Terrifier 3 may push boundaries–with some scenes even making him almost toss his cookies–there’s a line he’s not willing to cross when it comes to onscreen violence against children. The Stream actor continued:
It seems crucial to me that the films we produce avoid portraying any form of harm to children, such as scenes reminiscent of an alleyway attack. I personally wouldn’t feel comfortable depicting acts like setting fire to a child, which I find morally unacceptable.
By subtly referencing familiar horror tropes without dwelling too much on their disturbing aspects, these slasher films manage to preserve their iconic, excessive violence, all while steering clear of major controversies.
In the movie, Thornton collaborated intimately with a young actress whose role involves confronting a terrifying clown. Despite understanding it’s just part of the job, he found it emotionally challenging. The horror star from Alabama openly discussed his ongoing concern about affecting the child actor negatively, even apologizing to her during filming. He further mentioned:
In my repeated expressions of regret, I feared that I might be causing emotional harm to her. It seemed as though every time I made a mistake, I would exclaim, “Oh my goodness, I am so sorry!” I assumed she was crying because of what I did, but she reassured me, saying, “Oh no, I’m perfectly fine.” In that moment, I was taken aback and praised her for her remarkable acting skills, thinking she had fooled me with her performance.
It’s evident that as the third installment progresses, it will continue to expand the limits of the slasher genre. However, the creator of Art the Clown stays dedicated to infusing a sense of genuine human emotion into his chilling portrayal of this detestable jester character.
In the ongoing cinema release of “Terrifier 3“, fans should prepare for the signature intense violence the series is recognized for, yet with caution towards its minor characters. The portrayal of children in horror movies has often been a subject of debate, and Thornton’s open reflections provide an unusual glimpse into the inner workings of a genre that excels at testing boundaries while understanding when to draw the line.
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2024-10-13 01:38