Back in 2016, Netflix felt like a treasure trove of discoveries. Before the surge in original content and films, the streaming service was rich with lesser-known gems waiting to be found. One of those films was a small horror flick called Terrifier. From the moment I saw Art the Clown walk into that pizzeria, I immediately thought, “This guy has the ‘it’ factor.” What followed was 80 minutes of grimy, slasher brilliance that became my go-to recommendation for friends. It was as simple as, “You have to see Terrifier—Art the Clown is already in the slasher film Hall of Fame.”
Who knew a few years later, its sequel, Terrifier 2, would elevate both the franchise and Art the Clown into the pop culture conversation? With T2, Damien Leone upped the ante, giving fans everything they craved. In retrospect, this sequel feels like Evil Dead 2, following the trajectory of the original with a larger budget and delivering one of the best sequences in slasher history. Now, with the arrival of Terrifier 3 and its Christmas setting, I had no doubt this third entry would deliver.
Damien Leone’s Terrifier 3 is a welcomed return to the clown café—bloody, gruesome, and unapologetically gnarly. Blending slasher lore with dark humor, the film remains as brutal as ever and definitely not for the faint of heart.
Terrifier 3 picks up five years after the events of T2. Art, now sporting a snappy Santa suit, invades a house and unleashes his wrath. Once the title card hits, we find Sienna, our final girl from T2, celebrating the holiday season with her family. But ghosts from her past reappear, setting off another trail of blood, guts, and slasher mythos.
With each entry in the series, Damien Leone’s writing and direction improve. In what is the most polished Terrifier film yet, Leone’s screenplay still delivers the expected over-the-top violence but adds layers of fantastical mythology. T3 has a surprising amount of heart, exploring Sienna’s struggle with trauma, guilt, and her attempts to move past the events that changed her life. While the focus occasionally wavers, Leone’s ability to blend extreme violence with an emotional core deserves praise.
Already impressive in T2, Lauren LaVera once again shines in T3, further solidifying Sienna as one of the elite horror final girls. LaVera delivers a poignant and heartbreaking performance, balancing personal grief with the need to face off against Art. Matching LaVera is David Howard Thornton’s portrayal of Art the Clown. At this point, it’s no surprise—Thornton’s physicality is unmatched, channeling Keaton, Chaplin, and the silent era greats with sadistic flair.
Damien Leone continues to push boundaries with his inventive kills, including an homage to the infamous kill in T1 and a shower scene that would make Norman Bates proud. Every kill is over-the-top, but if you’re watching a Terrifier film, that’s exactly what you came for.
George Steuber’s cinematography and Paul Wiley’s score remain highlights of the series. Steuber’s sleek, haunting imagery combined with Wiley’s delightful synth-driven soundtrack are the unsung heroes that elevate the film.
While I loved Terrifier 2, its third act raised some concerns about the direction of the franchise. However, Leone finds a satisfying balance in T3, delivering one of the year’s most thrilling and deliciously gory horror films. As we anticipate T4, Terrifier 3 proves that the franchise is still full of surprises, and I’m more excited than ever to see where Art the Clown goes next.
