When the TV switches on and comes to life, an interview with the sole survivor of the Mile Country Massacre, which occurred a year prior, is being shown. While the survivor is unrecognisable, she mentions a man named Art the Clown. Following the massacre, it was reported that Art the Clown’s body vanished without a trace. At the same time, we see a mysterious figure—Art the Clown—smashing the TV before beginning to dress and equip himself, preparing for what could be another massacre.
On Halloween night, two best friends, Tara (Jenna Kanell) and Dawn (Catherine Corcoran), spend their evening heavily drinking at a party. While walking, they spot a mysterious stranger dressed in a white clown suit, who soon disappears. Feeling hungry and wanting to continue their night out, they visit a local pizzeria. While dining at the pizzeria, Tara and Dawn are again distracted when the same unusual clown enters. The clown, Art the Clown (played by David Howard Thornton), is dressed in a black and white outfit with blood all over his teeth, a tiny black hat and doesn’t speak. As Tara and Dawn try to enjoy their meal, they have unsettling interactions with Art. At one point, Art offers Tara a plastic toy ring from a nearby vending machine. Meanwhile, Dawn finds Art amusing and decides to take a selfie with him while sitting on his lap, but Art appears unimpressed by her antics.
As Tara and Dawn approach their car to leave, they discover that the tyres have been slashed. Left stranded, they search for alternative ways to get home. In desperation, Tara reaches out to her sister, Victoria (Samantha Scaffidi), for help. Although Victoria is swamped with assignments, she agrees to pick them up but warns that reaching their location will take some time. Unbeknownst to Tara and Dawn, they have unwittingly become the primary targets of the maniacal killer, Art the Clown. Will Tara and Dawn survive the night or become Art’s latest bloody victims?
Terrifier is a brutal horror film filled with numerous terrifying moments of gore and violence. It was written and directed by Damien Leone. For those who may not know, Terrifier is based on a short film of the same name and the anthology series All Hallows’ Eve, which was released in 2013. The short film and the series introduced the iconic character Art the Clown.
Art the Clown is undoubtedly the standout highlight of the film. He is genuinely creepy and unsettling, providing a wealth of nightmare fuel for horror enthusiasts, particularly those who have an aversion to clowns. Despite not speaking a single word, his mannerisms and expressions convey a blend of horrifying and even comedic moments. David Howard Thornton brings tremendous energy to this character, earning credit for creating a new type of horror icon.
Art’s costume also deserves special recognition, particularly the added details like bloodied teeth, which are simple yet effective in enhancing the horror elements. While not mandatory, I appreciate that the film includes a twist reveal at the end and introduces supernatural elements, which pique viewers’ curiosity for the next instalment. The kills in the film are brutal, disturbing, and bloody; consider yourself warned.
The plot is entirely predictable, particularly the introduction of a mysterious character- Art the Clown. From the moment he appears, it’s clear that he has malicious intentions and will soon unleash a significant amount of violence throughout the film. The characters who interact with Art are marked as victims with obvious fates, and unfortunately, the dialogue also falls short, contributing to the overall weakness of the narrative.
Overall, while the plot outline isn’t particularly groundbreaking, there’s no denying that a horror icon has emerged in this film. Art the Clown is both creepy and terrifying, and full credit goes to David Howard Thornton for his performance, and writer and director Damien Leone for creating such a compelling character. It’s truly remarkable to see Thornton on screen, displaying his unique mannerisms at a high energy level, especially considering the character never speaks a single word. The predictable story features familiar character outcomes and dialogue reminiscent of cheesy TV movies. However, the killings are violent and disturbing, so if you’re a fan of bloody horror films, this movie will undoubtedly satisfy your cravings in that regard. The film’s ending includes a fun reveal and an unexpected supernatural element, providing viewers with enough intrigue to eagerly anticipate the next instalment.
Terrifer (2016) will be available on 4K UHD Blu-ray thanks to Umbrella Entertainment from December 18th!
FILM SCORE: 6.4/10
Published: 13th December 2024
Written by: Peter Walkden
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