With the success of “Terrifier 3,” it's pretty safe to say that this is the hot new franchise in horror. Although Art the Clown has been terrorizing the screen for over a decade, director Damien Lyon's latest sequel centered on the murderous prankster has taken the entire company to new heights. A big reason for the success of these films, especially the latest installment, has to do with exaggerated angst. These slashers are filled with shocking moments and buckets of blood. However, no matter how high they are, there is at least one line Leon doesn't cross.
In a recent interview, Variety Leone discussed bringing “Terrifier 3” to life. Without going into major spoilers, the film features some shocking moments. The opening scene alone will make certain audiences leave or get sick. It's a serious movie by mainstream standards. Be that as it may, Leon would never show the art of killing children. Does art kill children? Yes. But we're not going to go into the nitty-gritty details of how it's done. Here is what Leon had to say about it:
“I'm always looking for lines to rise to and push the boundaries. Maybe just step right. But you can absolutely fall into a state of intense hatred that I didn't. It has a scene. You've probably heard it from where Art kills a child on screen, and I would never do it the proud way we did it, because to me it's totally taboo. You alienate most of your audience, it's like you're trying to shock the audience too much.”
Art has been killing kids on screen for quite some time now, literally. Leon's 2013 anthology “All Hallows' Eve” ends with Art killing two children. And yet, we only see the bloody aftermath, not the clown doing the deed. This may seem like splitting hairs to some viewers, but it's an important distinction.
The Terrifier movies push the limits – but they only push so far
“Terrifier 3” sees Art the Clown (again played by David Howard Thornton) unleash bloody mayhem on the unsuspecting residents of Miles County on Christmas Eve. As a change to the formula, Leone decides to set the film around Christmas time, which makes the whole thing even more confusing. Kalai also dresses up as Santa in the film and goes on a spree in costume. Not exactly like holding back anyone involved. There's a reason it won theaters in unrated form. R-rated it never will be.
And yet, with a stomach for horror audiences, the film resonates with its intended audience. “Terrifier 3” debuted to nearly $19 million, topping the box office in its opening weekend. This came as a huge surprise to the industry while also confirming that the fourth film will happen soon. It also proves that the incredibly gruesome “Terrifier 2” is not a hit in 2022. This brand of horror has a sizable audience on the big screen.
All this to say, Leon doesn't exactly have to hold back. Shock value is a big part of why people flock in such large numbers. It's not as if horror films aren't aimed at children. 2023's “When Evil Lurks” has a particularly shocking moment involving a young child. After all, Leon feels it's important to maintain some degree of control, even if the mission statement is about freeing a brutal killer from chains.
“Terrifier 3” is in theaters now.
