The Terrifier films are divisive among horror fans (and the horror tourists who like them are insufferable). I happen to appreciate the gore effects and the creative kills. But I have a couple of issues with the first two. Namely that they were both poorly acted and the second was overlong (unnecessarily so since we’re just here for the mayhem). I fully understand that I would have strong criticism if the film was too obviously just loosely strung together set pieces. I just expect to yawn a little less while watching films where a spooky clown mime saws a woman in half lengthwise or rubs salt into another’s open wounds. If you didn’t know, those things – and many others – happen in the first two Terrifier films. So, when part 3 came out last year, I didn’t rush out to see it in theaters. I figured that I would see it eventually on some streaming service or another. Well, that day has arrived. Terrifier 3 is now on Tubi (at the time of this writing). Let’s get into it, shall we?
Sienna Shaw survived Art the Clown. In fact, she decapitated him with a sword that had special meaning for her because her late dad gave it to her. She assumed it was because of the valkyrie character that he created at her behest, but it turned out that he was researching the Art murders and somehow found/created the magic sword as the only way to kill the clown. (backstory from Terrifier 2) Now it’s five years later and she’s being released from the psychiatric hospital. Unbeknownst to her, Art and the survivor of the first film – now possessed by the spirit of the Pale Girl – have lain dormant all these years but are awakened at about the same time as Sienna’s release. Uh oh! Art and his sidekick kill some folks in gruesome ways, Sienna tries to maintain her sanity while being figuratively haunted by her past trauma, and a showdown is imminent.
It probably comes as no surprise to anyone that this entry into the franchise is also poorly acted. With the exception of David Howard Thornton’s Art the Clown. His mime work and physical acting are incredibly good! And the overlong trend continues with this entry. I’ve said it before but movies that go over 90 minutes need to earn that time. Terrifier 3 does not. We get long stretches of time between kills that are often fat with filler. Which is weird, because we don’t get to see a couple of things integral to the plot. Instead, we get to see the aftermath of one important character’s death and a head scratching introduction of a Chekov’s gun that Sienna shows up with in her muddied hands. But what about the gore, you ask. Good question! It’s still good. And gory. And practical. It is very rad that Leone and co. are continuing to use effective, goopy practical effects. There is no substitute. (i’m sure there are some digital effects too, but my point stands) Whatever it is that draws people to these movies – gore, violence, coulrophobia, cheese, etc. – it is present in this one too. So fans will be satisfied. If you’re new to the franchise, start with T1. Not because you couldn’t jump into the story at T3, but because the first one has all of the gore and Art creepiness in a pithier package. Then you can decide if Terrifier is for you.
The Final Cut: Terrifier 3 is a great practical effects gore reel with set pieces peppered among overlong scenes of exposition and dialogue that is often poorly delivered. Thornton’s superb mime work once again brings Art’s creepiness to the next level.
No Real Danger 