Carl Roberts 
Terrifier 3 is here and it’s more frightening than ever. Brace yourself for a chilling ride filled with suspense, gore, and bone-chilling scares.
Let’s get this way at the very start. Terrifier 3 is stomach-churning, violent, gory and could well be the most bloodthirsty of the franchise yet. Those of a nervous disposition or those who hate the sight of blood or are squeamish, steer well clear. This certainly isn’t for you. After the first two films in the franchise, you’d think they’d have run out of ideas on how to kill the cast and have run out of road for Art The Clown. You’d be wrong, in a VERY big way.
I will warn you now, DON’T eat anything before going in to see the film as you likely be seeing it again within the first ten minutes. Some of the audience I saw the film with walked out and some did have to use the handed-out pukebags during the movie. The problem is, those who couldn’t stomach the movie missed out on a lot of fun.
PREMISE
After surviving Art the Clown’s Halloween massacre, Sienna and her brother are struggling to rebuild their shattered lives. As the holiday season approaches, they try to embrace the Christmas spirit and leave the horrors of the past behind. But just when they think they’re safe, Art returns, determined to turn their holiday cheer into a new nightmare. The festive season quickly unravels as Art unleashes his twisted brand of terror, proving that no holiday is safe.
THOUGHTS
Damien Leone is one sick individual. His twisted mind seems to be crammed full of gut-wrenching ways how to kill people as violently as possible in the Terrifier franchise. The truth is, Leone is actually a kind, funny and friendly man who I had the pleasure of meeting at the gala screening of the film last week. Not that you’d think that when you watch his movies. However, the film is crammed full of humour that you wouldn’t expect. This fits in nicely with the scares and the gore, giving the film an extra lift. You do need a very strong stomach though. The opening ten minutes alone were more than enough for some of the audience. The violence, gore and general nastiness of these opening moments set the tone for what is to come. And it gets worse, believe me.
One problem I had with the film was the wait for Art The Clown (once again brilliantly played by David Howard Thornton) to do his thing. But when he’s on screen, the film doesn’t fail to impress. The movie flits between Art killing people in various nasty ways and the returning Lauren LaVera as Sienna Shaw. Both once again can’t help but have the audience in the palms of their hands. Art, for what he does and is going to do, Sienna for her attempt at returning to a normal life after the events of the second film. We can’t help but feel sorry for Sienna. We know what she’s going through, we see what she sees but no one else can, despite their claims that they can feel her pain and suffering.
ART THE CLOWN
Anyone expecting Art to be tamer this time around is in for a shock. He is more violent and horrific than he has ever been before. Whether it is despatching workers who are set to demolish his home, his frustration at times with the returning Vicky Hayes (Samantha Scaffidi, unrecognisable under the latex and make-up), or his playing Santa at a shopping mall (in a sequence that you’d never expect or forget), Art is pure evil. But we can’t help but love him, despite the blood, body parts and mayhem he causes.
A shower sequence is the most gory and violent thing in the film. It is a cross between Dressed To Kill, Psycho, Friday The 13th: The Final Chapter and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. If the previous ninety minutes haven’t repulsed you, this one sequence alone most certainly will. You thought the murder of Catherine Corcoran as Dawn in the original film was bad, you ain’t seen nothing yet!
THE SUPPORTING CAST
The supporting cast can’t help but play second fiddle to David Howard Thornton and Lauren LaVera. But they all play the parts as they need to. Elliot Fullam as Jonathan Shaw gets a short shrift. We would expect to see him in the film more than he is. But he appears and disappears from the film at will, not allowing us to really feel for him or to see how the events from the second film have affected him. Alexa Blair Robertson as Mia is likable but we know that she will be in Art’s firing line given half a chance.
Jason Patric reminds us of what a great actor he is, even if his character is a little dull. Chris Jericho and Tom Savini make cameo appearances in a nice touch to proceedings. Young actress Antonella Rose as Gabbie shines through in every scene she appears in. We also get appearances from Daniel Roebuck and Clint Howard. But don’t get too attached to them.
WRITING AND DIRECTION
Damien Leone writes and directs the third chapter of his franchise. And by now, we should really know what to expect. But here, Leone goes all out to freak us out, gross us out and make us feel sick at what we see. He does this with such a sense of style that despite the copious amounts of blood, dismembered cast members, gore and frights, we can’t help but enjoy the ride. Gorehounds especially will get more than a fix with what Leone delivers here. He directs proceedings superbly, giving the events a wonderful and joyous feel at times while also having a sense of foreboding and dread hanging over us. His colours are vibrant, the way the film is lit throughout is wonderful and he injects exactly what the film needs throughout.
VERDICT
Terrifier 3 is an enjoyable and worthy addition to the franchise. Despite the stomach-churning nature of some of what we see, it is a delight from start to finish. Setting the film at Christmas serves the film well, allowing Art to do his evil business during the festive season. Some may argue they’ve seen this kind of thing before, in Silent Night, Deadly Night, Don’t Open ‘Til Xmas or even the daddy of them all, the classic Black Christmas. While some of that may be true, they are missing the bigger picture. This is an original tale, set at Christmas that will have the audience screaming, laughing and reaching for the sick bucket in equal amounts.
Some may argue that setting the film at Christmas is a sacrilege. To those people, I poke my tongue out at them. The film isn’t aimed at them and their beliefs. This is aimed squarely at an audience that requires a strong stomach and nerves of steel to sit through it. Ok, so Art does dress up as Santa and murders scores of people. So what? Terrifier 3 isn’t supposed to be high art, it is supposed to entertain. In that respect, it succeeds. The film also has what can only be described as a ‘The Empire Strikes Back’ cliffhanger ending.
Yep, Terrifier 4 is on the way. This ending does remind us of films such as ‘The Evil Dead’ and ‘Drag Me To Hell’ in a way. But getting there is such fun. Don’t eat beforehand. Forgo the usual popcorn, hotdogs and sodas. Take a sick bag with you. Then, sit back and allow Art The Clown to terrify you once again. You won’t be laughing by the climax. But it will entertain you throughout. You better not shout. You better not cry.
Terrifier 3 is in cinemas from this Friday from Signature Entertainment.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
