Terrifier 3 is one of the goriest concoctions ever put to screen. Imagine the bloodiest, most viscerally violent film you’ve ever seen and crank that bad boy up to 11. Damien Leone’s latest film is truly a gorefest that earns its “B” movie pedigree.

The Terrifier series used to be an enigma to me. The series created by director Damien Leone about the murderous antics of Art The Clown (David Howard Thornton) was a massive hit and miss for me. I found the first entry from 2016 absolutely dreadful but with some fun kills peppered throughout. The second entry from 2022 was a remarkable improvement but I found it got a little too lost in the sauce when dealing with newly established lore and mythology.

Well reader, I’m here to tell you that Terrifier 3 strikes a fascinating balance of dread-inducing gory kills of the first film but with the mythical flair of the second film. It doesn’t always work quite as well as intended but it’s hard to deny how fun the entire experience is. 

Terrifier 3 picks up five years after the end of the second film. Final girl Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera) is attempting to put her life back together after numerous trips to the mental hospital and moving in with her aunt and uncle. It’s the holiday season and all is bright and cheerful in the season of good will toward man. That is… until Art the Clown reawakens and sleigh bells turn into slay bells.

Where do I even begin? Terrifier 3 is one of the goriest concoctions ever put to screen. Imagine the bloodiest, most viscerally violent film you’ve ever seen and crank that bad boy up to 11. Honestly, if the second entry’s infamous bedroom scene turned you off the film then you should probably skip this third entry entirely. That’s not to say it’s without merit entirely though as Terrifier 3 strikes a surprisingly balance between tones. From the goofy antics of the death scenes ground by a strong performance from leading girl LaVera, I never felt the overwhelming sense of misery brought on by catastrophes in the previous films. In fact, I would go as far as to say Terrifier 3 is the most fun I’ve had watching bodies being ripped limb from limb.

That’s helped by the remarkable improvement in the acting delivered by LaVera but also Thornton as well. Art’s chaotic antics bring a level of relief, using humor as a way to soften the blow of gross out scenes. It may not work for everyone but for gorehounds the film is an absolute rollercoaster ride. Art the Clown has cemented his place amongst the greatest horror icons of all time with this series, a rarity in today’s modern horror landscape.

LaVera is wonderful in the film. Though our Valkyrie is traumatized from the events of the previous film, LaVera doesn’t skip a beat, slotting back into the role of Sienna Shaw. Though at times it may seem like they’re putting her through an overwhelming amount of violence, when the fighting kicks in she delivers some of the most badass imagery I’ve ever seen in a slasher film that had me damn near cheering full volume from my seat.

Where Terrifier 3 falls apart for me is in its story. Despite the shorter runtime the film takes its time through the first act to get going and ultimately feels unresolved by the end of it. The film also scales back on its mythology elements until the final act which leaves a lot of threads from the second film unresolved. In a way it ultimately makes the entire experience feel like a “Part 1”

But hey when you’re having this much fun watching someone’s genitals get mutilated, what’s to complain about. Terrifier 3 is truly a gorefest that earns its “B” movie pedigree.

Grade: B

Oscar Prospects:
Likely: None
Should be Considered: Best Make-up & Hairstyling

Release Date: October 11, 2024
Where to Watch: In Theaters