Just when you thought Terrifier and Damien Leone couldn’t go any further than they did in the first two Terrifier films, they found a way to do just that with Terrifier 3.
Every decade has its own horror movie icon or franchise it can be remembered for. The 80’s had the classic slashers- Michael, Freddy, Jason and Leatherface and the 90’s and 2000’s had Ghostface. The 2020’s, although having some great horror movies, have been searching for that iconic franchise- then came Art The Clown and the Terrifier series.
Terrifier 3 is a Christmas movie, so it’s already been an anticipated one before the release and, when you throw in the virally massive level of popularity the 2nd installment got after its release, Terrifier 3 has been so anticipated that it’s become the #1 movie in the country- and it’s banned in France for anyone under 18.
There are a few things that stand out about Terrifier 3, that separate it from its predecessors- one is that they cross a few lines that even the most deranged and fucked up horror fan might not want to cross; the other is the added level of storyline- while the first two films had a loose story- number 3 has a strong story that could easily bleed into a 4th movie.
They also pay homage to a few cinematic classics throughout this film as well- The Shining, Elf and more.
The ever-lovable Art The Clown so much more personality in this installment that its undeniable- he’s almost charming at times- he cleans the dishes after murdering an entire family, fanboys over Santa Claus before killing him and even gets angry at security when they escort him off of the Santa Throne at a mall during pictures with Santa- while they’re ushering him away, he points at his Santa suit as if to say “but I’m Santa, look!”
Then there’s the scene when he’s eavesdropping on a college couple and gets excited when the boyfriend tells her he thinks she wants to hook up with Art but then gets immediately disappointed when she says she doesn’t…then does snow angels in their blood later.
Art is still completely nonverbal but the amount of comedic personality he has keeps the movie lighthearted.
The kills in this installment continue to push the envelope- both in originality and impressiveness but also in discomfort and being so over-the-top you can’t help but fall in love with the movie- Art loves Santa, dynamite, freezing things and poking fun at his victims.
Leone and company have made a few new horror icons in Art but also in Sienna Shaw, who has taken the ‘Final Girl’ role to a whole new level and has become a complete badass in the same vein as Laurie Strode. With the incorporation of new, innovative weapons, Art’s sense of humor and the massive improvement and details of the story, Terrifier 3 is a home run and Lauren LaVera (Sienna) and David Howard Thornton have officially cemented themselves as horror all-stars.
Bring on Terrifier 4!
Rating: 9/10
-Reggie Edwards