The original idea forTerrifierstarted - as so many great ideas do - by way of a short film. The character Art the Clown, now made famous by Thornton, first appeared nearly two decades ago in the 2006 short film,The 9th Circle. After the character gained traction thanks to double appearances in the anthology film,All Hallows’ Eve, filmmakerDamien Leonewent full steam ahead with 2016’sTerrifier. The original feature-length movie introduced the character on a broader scale while playing up the extreme gore and brutality that the franchise has now become synonymous with. In it, a killer clown stalks two young women, putting them and everyone in his way through absolute hell.
After getting mixed reviews from critics, Leone went back to the drawing board for the sequel that would eventually become 2022’sTerrifier 2. By this point,Art the Clownhad become an almost lore-like entity to the horror community, and, partially thanks to word of mouth that warned prospective audiences they’d need barf bags for their screening, the sequel was a major hit at the box office. The follow-up’s success also hasa direct correlation to Leone’s growthas a storyteller and filmmaker, as he took the constructive criticism ofTerrifierto heart and implemented several well-received changes.
The Legacy of ‘Terrifier’
Now three films deep andTerrifieris a household name withThornton being an unmissable presence as Art the Clown. Likewise, the latter two films’Lauren LaVerahas gone down as the final girl of a brand-new franchise for her performance of Art’s greatest nemesis, Sienna Shaw. With the third installment still scaring up buckets of money at the box office andat least one more title on the way, like its torturous antagonist,Terrifierdoesn’t look like it will be going away any time soon.
Head over to Prime Video now to streamTerrifierandTerrifier 2.
On Halloween night, Tara Heyes finds herself as the obsession of a sadistic murderer known as Art the Clown.
