Review: Terrifier (2016) ★★★½
I will readily admit that the name “Terrifier” did not inspire much confidence in me. It sounds more like a bad carnival ride than a legitimate movie. Despite the awkward title, Terrifier is aptly named. Terrifier actually is terrifying. And while it is certainly not a perfect film, and it falls prey to many of the limitations of low-budget horror, it is saved by a genuinely frightening performance by David Howard Thornton, fantastic special effects makeup by Alana Rose, and a willingness by director Damien Leone to push violence to its extremes.
The film opens on a talk show interview with a severely disfigured woman who narrowly escaped death the previous Halloween. Following the interview, the talk show host mocks the woman’s appearance, only to be violently attacked moments later. We are then taken back to the previous Halloween night to witness the massacre that led to her terrible injuries.
On Halloween night, Tara (Jenna Kanell) and Dawn (Catherine Corcoran), leave a Halloween party and debate who will drive. During their conversation, they catch sight of Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton). He doesn’t speak, but attempts to silently lure the women to him. When Tara and Dawn turn away, the clown suddenly disappears into the night.
The two women decide to grab a bite to eat at a local pizzeria while they sober up. However, as they wait for their food, Art the Clown enters and silently taunts Tara. When the clown suddenly goes to the bathroom, Tara expresses her concern, but Dawn seems unphased by his presence. Moments later, the owner throws the clown out of the restaurant for smearing feces all over the bathroom walls.
When Tara and Dawn return to their car, they discover that someone slashed their tires while they were away. With no way to get home, Tara calls her sister, Vicky (Samantha Scaffidi) to come pick them up. As they wait, Tara asks the caretaker of a nearby building to use the bathroom, setting off a night of terror and carnage.
Horror aficionados will quickly pick up on director Damien Leone’s appreciation for past genre films. Some narrative and visual elements pay homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960), and the extreme violence feels like a return to the torture porn movies (Saw, Hostel, etc.) of the mid-2000’s. Additionally, though it was probably unintentional, lead actress Jenna Kanell bears a striking resemblance to Neve Campbell in Wes Craven’s Scream (1996). While some may not like when film’s rely heavily on pastiche, it never feels overdone in Terrifier. Damien Leone strikes a satisfying balance between homage and fresh content.
As previously stated, Terrifier does not hold back with violence and depravity. It’s not a film for the faint of heart, though there are certainly more difficult films to stomach out there. In any case, the violence in Terrifier is part of what makes it terrifying, but it is not the only element. Alana Rose, who worked as the film’s primary special effects makeup artist, puts her skills on fully display. Art the Clown is frightening thanks in large part to her superb makeup design, and his horrifying grin helped sell the film to horror fans. This also holds true for Art’s victims. Many indie horror films falter due to unrealistic or even laughable gore, but Alana Rose makes every scar and every gush of blood disgustingly realistic.
David Howard Thornton also gives an extremely unsettling performance. Though he hardly makes a sound, his physical performance plays on every fear people have of clowns. He dances around with glee and dawns a large, bloody smile as he slices his victims into little pieces. It’s enough to put any coulrophobe on edge.
While David Howard Thornton’s performance and Alana Rose’ makeup design must be lauded, Damien Leone’s script is not without fault. He takes some risks that lesser directors would not take, but not all of them pay off in the end. Terrifier takes place in just a handful of settings, with the majority of the story unfolding in a single building. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it is one of several examples of how the $100,000 budget put limitations on the narrative. Additionally, Leone attempts to add depth to the story by adding an interview with the disfigured woman, but it never really goes anywhere, and frankly doesn’t make all that much sense.
Despite its faults, Terrifier delivers on its promise. It is a genuinely terrifying film that puts Stephen King’s It (2017) to shame when it comes to actual scares. That said, this is a violent, gory ride, which may be a huge turn off for some viewers. However, if you can stomach the blood and guts, Terrifier is definitely worth a watch, especially for die-hard horror fans.
Rating: ★★★½ out of 5
Terrifier (2016) is currently available to stream on Netflix. If you’d like to see more of Art the Clown, Damieon Leone’s All Hallows’ Eve (2013) is currently available to stream, rent, or purchase via Amazon here.
