Throughout the terrifying journey of the two 'Terrifier' films thus far, the maniacal Art the Clown has painted a canvas of unspeakable horrors, deeds so vile and despicable they leave a lasting chill. When the mastermind behind the monstrous mask – the inimitable David Howard Thornton – confesses that even he teetered on the brink of nausea while filming the highly anticipated third installment, it's a testament to the sheer intensity that awaits.
Damien Leone's indie slashers have transcended into a horror phenomenon, a cult classic with Art as its pop culture demonic deity. They're a feast for the eyes, drenched in spectacular gore that challenges the limits of imagination. And if rumors are to be believed, 'Terrifier 3' – a festive feast of frights set amidst the backdrop of Christmas – promises to drench the halls in rivers of crimson, taking the horror genre to unprecedented heights.
"There's a particular moment that churns my stomach," Thornton divulges to Empire in the pages of Gladiator II. "I dare not reveal its horrors, but suffice it to say, I was on the verge of regurgitation. And, oddly enough, it only fueled the hysteria around me. They chuckled, 'Ah, we've finally broken him!'" With the previous films already pushing the boundaries of bodily mutilation, it seems Leone has once again upped the stakes, crafting a narrative that promises to shock and awe.
According to Thornton, a sequence in 'Terrifier 3' teeters on the edge of controversy, a precipice of depravity that will leave audiences reeling. "Prepare to be astonished by the depths of depravity we plumb in that scene," he teases, hinting at a twisted tale that defies comprehension.
Yet, Art the Clown is more than just a vessel of gore. There's a mischievous, macabre humor that permeates the 'Terrifier' films, a balance that tips the scales from sheer terror into manic laughter. "I don't know what this says about me, but I find a twisted joy in the gore," Thornton admits. "To me, it's cartoonish violence, a playground for experimenting with the unseen."
So, with 'Terrifier 3' looming large, fear not merely – tremble in anticipation, for the nightmares that lie ahead will leave you forever scarred.
