REVIEW — Terrifier 3 (2024)

Alright, now that most everyone’s had a chance to see Terrifier 3, I can properly review it. Spoilers ahead!

In this third addition of the Terrifier series featuring everyone’s favorite mime, Art the Clown, final girl Sienna faces her nemesis — and a new foe from parts 1 and 2 — during what was supposed to be a memorable Christmas with her surviving family members. As promised, writer/director Damien Leone brought the gore, with worldwide reports of audience members becoming violently ill or even passing out during their viewing. And a week after its release, Terrifier 3 was #1 at the box office and beating the likes of the Joker. Like it or not, this film is making a killing — making history, even — and if there was any question before, it has solidified Art the Clown’s place as a top horror icon.

But Terrifier 3 didn’t hit the same way it did in the past, and I’ll tell you why. At this point in time, Art the Clown has outgrown his indie roots to become prolifically commercial. People dress up as him at conventions. He’s being talked about on the morning news and daytime talk shows. He’s got his own Spirit Halloween costume line. He’s for the streets. And don’t get me wrong, I love that for him. It’s not often that a horror franchise makes its way to the big leagues with more “traditional” Hollywood movies and has the staying power to back it up. The thing is, becoming that big kind of takes him out of horror fans’ leagues.

In trying to brute-force Terrifier down the general public’s throat (more than likely trying to stir up buzz for funding and marketing purposes) Leone and crew lost the grimy, independent feel they had with the first two films. Let’s take the main story, for example. It’s been 5 years since the events of Terrifier 2 and Sienna is finally able to leave the mental health center she had been recovering in to spend Christmas with previously unknown family members that apparently had this super close relationship with Sienna all her life. I do not recall any mention of them in Terrifier 2. Jonathan isn’t seen until what feels like halfway through the movie. The Little Pale Girl has been effectively replaced with a foul-mouthed, demonified Victoria Heyes.

Art retains his charm (as charming as a murderous clown can be), but is given a sort of evil hatred that I don’t quite understand. It felt like he and Victoria had this Joker/Harley Quinn vibe to them — and not the “loving” relationship fans often cast, but an annoyed, hateful one as if Art only has Victoria around because she can talk. On that same note, Victoria has turned into a later version of Freddy Krueger with her endless quips calling Sienna a bitch and just being overly mean. I know she’s supposed to be possessed, but Art’s thing was not talking. So why are we not doing that? It’s not like she adds very much to the plot besides expletives.

The gore is intense and absolutely takes over the movie to spite the plot as a whole. The story feels sloppily put together and is only there to facilitate gore. I have no problem with gore and think the effects were brilliant, as always. But Terrifier 3 felt like a film made only to get a rise out of the MPAA because “why not.” It didn’t feel like it was pushing boundaries and taking horror to another level, making the audience think while they’re squirming in their chairs; it felt very “middle school mindset,” violence for no real reason. And I’m not saying that Terrifier 3 has to be as thought-provoking and classic as Citizen Kane; I’m saying it lacked heart.

Besides the obvious tremendous work from the actors and effects people, there were some upsides. We do get a tiny snippet of Sienna’s dad and the origins of her costume and sword. We also get a fantastic portrayal of post-Covid true crime podcasters who would rather torment a victim than admit they want to fuck Art the Clown (this was actually my favorite part).

I love Art the Clown and the Terrifier franchise. I think he is funny. I think the movies are creative and refreshing. I am excited to hear there will be a fourth entry to the series. At the same time, I feel like Terrifier 3 wasn’t necessarily made for the fans coming all the way from All Hallows’ Eve. It felt Hollywood. It felt commercial. And it felt dull with bright red bloodstains haphazardly thrown onto the screen. Terrifier 3 is deserving of all the praise and scandal they drum up, for sure. I am truly happy to see horror thriving in theaters and getting the accolades and respect that often gets kept from it. But I also feel a sad disappointment, like I lost a friend, because the grainy film style, mysterious characters, and low-budget magic is gone.

I hope that we see a return to form in Terrifier 4.

What did you think of Terrifier 3? Do you want to fuck Art the Clown? Let us know in the comments!