As a long-time horror enthusiast and aficionado of all things creepy, I’m beyond thrilled about the upcoming “Terrifier 3“. Damien Leone has always been a master at crafting unsettling narratives, but with this latest installment, he seems to be taking his game to a whole new level.
Contains spoilers for “Terrifier 3”
Viewers have now watched Damien Leone’s latest slasher movie, “Terrifier 3,” and whether they adore it or despise it, it’s said to be one of the most malevolent horror films ever produced. The low-budget horror series stirred quite a commotion in 2022 when “Terrifier 2” turned out to be an unforeseen box office success. Starring the revival of Leone’s enigmatic villain Art the Clown (played by David Howard Thornton), the movie details his lethal Halloween rampage and his eventual downfall at the hands of Sienna Shaw, a newcomer to the franchise played by Lauren LaVera.
For more than ten years prior, Leone had been penning tales about Art, starting with his introduction in the 2008 short movie “The 9th Circle.” He further developed this character in a 2011 short titled “Terrifier,” and subsequently in the 2013 anthology film “All Hallows’ Eve.” The long-awaited first feature film, “Terrifier,” was released in 2016. Leone’s groundbreaking gore effects and practical techniques have amassed a dedicated fanbase, many of whom supported an Indiegogo campaign for the second movie. In his efforts to surpass the original “Terrifier” success, the sequel achieved mainstream popularity, and some even claim it caused physical reactions like nausea and vomiting among viewers.
Anticipation for the October 2024 launch of “Terrifier 3” has us on tenterhooks, as we ponder what’s in store next for Art and his unfortunate targets. The journey leading up to this sequel’s premiere, coupled with the fervor it’s stirred among festival attendees, makes us think that Leone and his team are primed to release a modern horror classic on an unsuspecting audience. Here’s why “Terrifier 3” is set to leave everyone spellbound.
The Terrifier series is a labor of love for Damien Leone
In the realm of horror films specifically, there’s nothing more thrilling than when a movie truly embodies an artist’s deepest anxieties, joys, and creative spark. This is a crucial factor that helps low-budget productions like “Terrifier” and its sequel prosper – as the extraordinary enthusiasm of filmmakers such as Damien Leone shines through on its own merit.
The director’s love for filmmaking and slashers specifically is present in every scene he crafts. The series has so far drawn inspiration from a great number of films, including entries from the “Friday the 13th” and “A Nightmare on Elm Street” franchises, 1974’s “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” and John Carpenter’s original “Halloween” film. “‘Halloween’ is my favorite, I would say, as a singular film, not necessarily the entire franchise,” Leone said in an interview with Deadline in 2023 “I think it’s the greatest slasher film ever made.” He’s also stated that a scene in “Terrifier 2” pays homage to Tom Savini’s work in “Maniac,” and we believe trailers for “Terrifier 3” are teasing a classic horror scene from “The Shining.”
Regardless of the numerous influences on him, Leone’s unwavering commitment to this project has held firm even against pressures from more influential creatives wanting to alter his vision. After “Terrifier” was successful, a prominent studio offered him an opportunity to revamp the series into a mainstream horror franchise – they suggested he should tone down the gore for an R rating. However, Leone declined. His refusal to compromise on what sets his work apart underscores why he stands out among contemporary directors, and this steadfastness should fill any horror enthusiast with confidence that he’ll continue to excel in “Terrifier 3.
Damien Leone is bringing even more gore to the third film
If you enjoy the gruesome aspects of the series, here’s some exciting news that might surpass what Damien Leone promised when he decided not to tone down the gore for an R-rating: “Terrifier 3” is expected to maintain and even surpass the intense horror and gore established by the first two movies. During production, as reported by Express, the director hinted at this claim on his social media, stating that they filmed one of the most horrifying scenes in the franchise’s history. The film’s initial reactions from an advance screening at Fantastic Fest 2024 suggest a blood-soaked, visceral, gory, repulsive, and malevolent production, with many viewers praising it as more spectacular than “Terrifier 2.
It has the biggest budget the films have ever had
Fans can anticipate great things from “Terrifier 3,” as director Damien Leone has a remarkable budget at his disposal, thanks to his fervor for horror filmmaking. Unlike some directors who might struggle under the added stress of increased funds, Leone’s past ability to create compelling horror stories on a limited budget suggests he will use this additional capital effectively.
Despite no known details about the budget for Damien Leone’s 2013 film “All Hallows’ Eve,” he managed to create the original “Terrifier” in 2016 on a budget of merely $55,000. Its sequel, which was generally considered an upgrade over its predecessor by both critics and audiences, had a budget that was nearly five times as much, totaling $250,000. This film garnered over $15 million globally. Now, Leone is expanding his budget significantly once more for “Terrifier 3.
While the precise amount hasn’t been officially disclosed yet, it’s rumored to be within the range of $2 million and $4 million. However, Leone did reveal to Deadline that the budget for the third film provides him with a few million dollars to work with. He explained that this money is primarily being used to hire an expert team of makeup and special effects artists, enabling him and his collaborator Phil Falcone (a hands-on producer on both “Terrifier” films) to shoot complex special effects sequences more effectively without compromising quality. Moreover, it enables them to fairly compensate returning actors, thus keeping the “Terrifier” cast intact.
Lauren LaVera is returning as Sienna Shaw
Despite the acclaim that “Terrifier” has received from horror enthusiasts, its creator, Damien Leone, acknowledges certain elements he would have handled differently. In an interview with Dread Central, he expressed his main regret as not developing Samantha Scaffidi’s character, Victoria, more thoroughly, given she was the second protagonist in the film who underwent a gruesome transformation at the end. Due to this finale, Leone could not give Victoria the justice she deserved in “Terrifier 2”. However, he made sure to avoid repeating this mistake by dedicating a considerable portion of his writing process for the sequel to creating a well-rounded successor character, played by Lauren LaVera as Sienna Shaw.
LaVera’s portrayal of the intricate “Final Girl” has received acclaim, with Leone himself calling it the most captivating aspect of the movie for him personally. Luckily for both Leone and fans of the series, LaVera will be back to take the lead in the third installment. In an interview with Halloween Daily News, Leone shared that he has worked with many talented actors and actresses whom he holds dear, but none have shown as much dedication to a character he’s written as LaVera, perhaps even surpassing his own affection for Sienna. He went on to say that the franchise is just as much Sienna’s as it is Art the Clown’s.
Speaking from my gamer perspective, I can’t wait to dive into the psychological and emotional aftermath that Sienna’s survival in the last film presents. Kudos to Leone for pouring so much heart into Sienna, and for providing me with the opportunity to expand upon his work by collaborating and improvising together.
Vicky Heyes will have her vengeance
Regarding Damien Leone’s remorse from the original “Terrifier” movie, he now has the opportunity to rectify things for both the character Victoria “Vicky” Heyes and the actress who plays her, Samantha Scaffidi. In “Terrifier 3”, we will delve deeper into the scene that appeared at the end of the credits in the previous film, where Vicky appears smitten with Art the Clown and seemingly resurrects him after Sienna apparently killed him during their final confrontation. This could mean a more significant part for Vicky in the sequel, potentially even making her a villain on par with her former tormentor.
A preliminary assessment by Slant appears to validate this, as they acknowledge that Victoria Heyes delivers an unexpectedly eerie performance, effectively making her the standout antagonist in the film. The review continues by praising Scaffidi’s talent, stating she emanates a spine-tingling aura of evil, hidden under layers of prosthetics. If viewers share this sentiment when “Terrifier 3” premieres on October 11, Leone and Scaffidi will have effectively revitalized the character, nearly a decade after its initial introduction.
David Howard Thornton puts in another great performance as Art the Clown
Without fail, discussing the “Terrifier” series wouldn’t be complete without highlighting David Howard Thornton, the actor who has embodied Art the Clown since the initial movie in 2016. Previously, Mike Giannelli played the role, appearing as Art in “The 9th Circle,” the original “Terrifier” short, and the anthology “All Hallows’ Eve.” However, Giannelli declined an offer to reprise his role for “Terrifier,” stating his dislike for the filmmaking process, extended shoot hours, and extensive makeup application. Thornton ultimately secured the role of Art by improvising a gruesome audition scene involving Art severing a victim’s head, conversing with it briefly, then seasoning it to taste before exiting the room (it might come as a shock to newcomers that this is relatively tame compared to the character’s actions in the films).
Through an apparent intuitive grasp of the character’s intriguing blend of humor and terror, Thornton and Damien Leone have co-created one of the most distinctive villains in contemporary horror. As noted in a review of “Terrifier 3” by AV Club, Thornton masterfully portrays the role with wide eyes and a chilling grin, subtly suggesting a deeper mystery behind the scenes. The article praises his performance, stating that he delights in challenging the conventions of the horror genre, from the timing of a slasher kill to the audience’s anticipation for excessive gore, crafting works of grisly art much like a deranged Jackson Pollock.
Chris Jericho’s cameo role is expanded
For wrestling fans, the inclusion of Chris Jericho in “Terrifier 2” as a somewhat oblivious receptionist at a hospital was a real treat. Though his screen time was quite brief compared to the rest of the cast, his larger-than-life presence made up for it, and fans were certainly keen to learn his ultimate fate seeing as Victoria gives birth to Art’s severed head in the very same building as him. In 2023, Damien Leone confirmed that Jericho would be back for “Terrifier 3,” and that the sequel would answer this unresolved question.
Leone expressed great enthusiasm about the actor to Deadline, stating that ‘Terrifier 3’ will carry on from where ‘Terrifier 2’ ended, in an insane asylum. This means we’ll witness the aftermath and the chaos that ensues there. Given how Art and Victoria’s story concluded, it’s going to be quite a rollercoaster ride. Chris is expected to rejoin the action, adding another layer to the plot. Although specifics about his comeback are scarce, Jericho hinted that a 3D model of Chris’s head has been made for the film – possibly implying that Art will subject it to gruesome actions.
It’s a Christmas-Halloween mash-up
As a die-hard Terrifier fan, I’m eagerly anticipating the conclusion of this gripping trilogy by Damien Leone. However, instead of sticking strictly to traditional slasher tropes, he plans to innovate in a significant way. In the sequel, “Terrifier 2”, we saw some fantastical elements introduced, transforming Lauren LaVera’s character Sienna into a mythical valkyrie.
Leone talked about the inspiration to jump holidays — from Halloween to Christmas — in an interview with Bloody Disgusting. He said that Santa Claus (played in the film by cult horror stalwart Daniel Roebuck) is perhaps the most natural character for Art to come up against. “He’s just the perfect antithesis to Santa Claus,” Leone explained. “He loves giving out presents and putting smiles on people’s faces. So, just the set pieces that we have in this film and around this holiday are just amazing. I’ve always been such a fan of that sub-genre of horror.” Leone further teased that his version of Santa would be a “maniac,” and that the 1972 “Tales from the Crypt” story “…And All Through the House” served as a major inspiration for this approach.
It could be a huge turning point for the series
There’s been much discussion about Damien Leone wrapping up his “Terrifier” series with the third movie, concluding it as a trilogy. Initially, in interviews, he was evasive about confirming or denying that a 2024 sequel would mark the end, arguing that such confirmation might ruin the film before its release. However, just a few weeks prior to the launch of “Terrifier 3,” he surprisingly admitted that there will indeed be a “Terrifier 4.
Despite another sequel being confirmed, Leone’s feelings about his continued participation in the franchise remain unaltered – he eventually plans to move on to prevent things from becoming stale. He appears eager (and possibly enthusiastic) for other creators to assume control and produce more “Terrifier” films without him as director. It’s worth noting that the filmmaker harbors ambitions beyond the story of Art the Clown, and has allegedly engaged in discussions with horror legend Sam Raimi about a potential future project.
As a dedicated fan, I’m sharing this thought: Although “Terrifier 3” might not mark the end of the series, it seems like Artisa Leone’s tale is approaching its conclusion. Given this, it appears that the movie could play a crucial role in shaping the overall narrative of the franchise, potentially guiding us to its darkest chapter yet. If so, a fourth film, possibly serving as the finale, may be on the horizon.
The world of Terrifier is much more complex than we realized
While “Terrifier” movies share the common theme of supernatural lore found in many slasher films with immortal antagonists, Damien Leone distinguishes his universe by creating a unique, dark mythology that gives context to these events. This mythology has intrigued horror enthusiasts, leading them to interpret the films as a macabre reinterpretation of Judeo-Christian characters such as Satan, demons, angels, the Beast, and the Antichrist.
It’s apparent that Leone seems preoccupied with matters beyond Art’s upcoming kill, given the expanding complexity of the series. As the storyline unfolds, there will likely be more chances for him to reveal hidden truths about this universe, which could leave viewers both terrified and amazed as his grotesque inventions cause chaos in the mortal realm.
Currently, it’s expected that “Terrifier 3” will delve deeper into the supernatural realm of the series than its predecessor, blending elements of undead clowns and heroic valkyries with the lore of Christmas. On the surface, this mix of genre tastes might seem rather revolting; however, director Damien Leone is the perfect artist to transform it into something intriguingly appetizing. We’ll simply have to be patient and wait for “Terrifier 3” to premiere on October 11, 2024 to discover the truth.
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2024-09-26 19:00