Notable Cast: David Howard Thornton, Lauren LaVera, Antonella Rose, Elliot Fullam, Samantha Scaffidi, Margaret Anne, Bryce Johnson, Alexa Blair Robertson
The slasher sub-genre of horror is something I've been a huge fan of since morbid curiosity took over as a young boy, sneaking off to my cousin's house to watch the Friday the 13th and Nightmare on Elm Street films; I've always enjoyed a good on-screen massacre. What that says about me, who knows, but I do know what I like it and I feel over the decades, this avenue of horror has had many ups and downs. Here in this point in time, Damien Leone and friends are really bringing out the goods with his demented and twisted take on the genre in the form of the Terrifier films.
I have been digging these since the beginning. I did miss out on All Hallows' Eve, but many Art fans have been visiting those retroactively, and for good reason. Art the Clown, everyone's favorite demonic circus act, has launched himself into the stratosphere alongside the likes of any of the aforementioned horror series' icons. David Howard Thornton, who dons Art's tiny hat, clearly pours his heart and soul (I know, I know) into every frame he is in, and his charismatic killer clown is at a series best here in Terrifier 3, where he takes our good friends from the second film, and give them a nice little Christmas break. Here's to the holidays.
Sienna and Jonathan are in a very traumatized state of existence from the brutal encounter they survived with Art from the second film. We see the two trying to cope with their day-to-day lives but mostly focusing on Sienna's perspective, a considerable toll being taken on her mental health from those unspeakable horrors. Terrifier 3 focuses on this aspect and spends a decent amount of time with Sienna, seeing how she is trying to turn a new leaf. Still, given that this is the 3rd film in a very gnarly splatter fest, she doesn't get much time to recover before Art shows back up to cause chaos and spill a little blood in her life. That's it on the basic plotline, as Damien really likes to focus on more ambiguous lore and world-building within his films. Some people complain about a lack of story, but I think 3 certainly adds and puts most of these elements to good use. I was emotionally invested in Sienna's ongoing life and found myself wrapped up in it all. It also adds weight when she inevitably stands up to Art, but I won't spoil anything. Most people watch Terrifier for the kills, and at this point, it should be evident that Damien and company deliver the goods, and, yes, they continue the trend of shock and offense. The mass reportings on those who have walked out of screenings of this film are certainly true, and during my showing a couple of weeks back, we had two different groups leave at two different points in the film. I wonder what they were expecting from this one that would not be unlike the previous two, but I digress.
Diving into the blood and gore tidbits, which there is a ton of here, the effects are the best they have been thus far. Leone has done a lot of the heavy lifting with the previous two, but this time he had an entire team assembled, which certainly shows in the final product. While very over-the-top, the damage done to everyone in this looks very realistic and has that weight to it as the prosthetics on display and blood being spilled are almost exclusively practical. I'm sure there are digital touch-ups to give the best image possible, but the old-school effects are a huge draw for fans of this series, and 3 reaches an all-new height for what is on display. I personally don't think the infamous bedroom scene in 2 was topped here but that already iconic shower scene gets pretty darn close. Brutality is on display from beginning to end. While there are certainly some laughs to be had from Art's physicality and his silent comedy style expressiveness, there is no doubt that this is a very mean-spirited and, at times, completely evil-feeling film, but intentionally. Art and Vicky, the other demon, are from Hell... they aren't gonna be friendly, nor nice. You'll never look at broken glass the same way again.
I can't really think of any complaints with Terrifier 3... I felt 1 lacked a little overall but was solid for the budget given, and I thought 2 was a lot better looking and was easier to care about with the introduction of Sienna and Jonathan, but still felt a bit overstuffed. However, I think the visuals are even more beautiful here, giving the world a more analog look and feel in the cinematography department. The sound design is excellent and really elevates every nasty moment on display. Art and Vicky are such a sinister duo. Art, in particular, is getting to really come to life even more than before, thanks to David getting his own mask molded to his face this time instead of using the previous Art actor's mask. You really see his face is more expressive than ever and it just helped take his performance to the next level. Laren LaVera is certainly the heart of the series, and her performance here is absolutely beautiful and equally heartbreaking and powerful. You really feel her pain, and I just think she put herself out there, even more, this go around and has grounded herself as a true scream queen. I cannot wait to see where her journey takes her.
I can't believe how good Terrifier 3 is and just how well it worked for me. I really enjoy where things end, and I cannot quite fathom where they are going to take the series next. Of course, I wanna see more Art, but I want to see how it will all wrap up. Here's to the number 1 movie in America, which I don't usually get excited about revenue, but it is massively exciting when it is for a little independent horror movie. Terrifier as a whole certainly isn't for everyone, but for those who love Art and slashers as a whole, and don't mind their horror a little more extreme, Terrifier 3 is as good as it gets. A bonafide Christmas classic that families will come to love time after time, for years to come. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!
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