Terrifier 2 (2022)
Terrifier 2 was the surprise slasher hit of the October 2022 Halloween season. This unrated low budget gorefest built a substantial following in theaters across the country despite minimal marketing and a limited release. Its success has turned the series villain, a murderous clown, into an emerging horror icon. A sequel, Terrifier 3, is going to be released in October.
After the conclusion of his Halloween rampage in the first movie, Art the Clown is mysteriously resurrected in a morgue. After brutally dispatching the coroner, Art encounters a new sidekick, The Little Pale Girl, played by Amelie McClain. She’s a young clown in pasty makeup who loves torture and murder just as much as Art does. The Little Pale Girl becomes the Robin to his Batman. She is apparently the ghost of a circus girl who was killed by Art years earlier.
A year later, Art returns for another Halloween killing spree. This time he finds a worthy adversary. Sienna Shaw (Lauren Lavera) is a feisty teenage girl who has a mysterious connection to Art. She has bizarre, surreal dreams about the evil clown that seem inspired by the “Nightmare on Elm Street” movies.
Sienna and her younger brother Jonathan (Elliot Fullam) are puzzled by their late father’s sketchbook. It contains drawings of Art and possible clues about how to stop him. The sketches suggest that Sienna is somehow fated to be Art’s archrival. Art, who is aware that Sienna is a serious threat, kidnaps and sadistically tortures Jonathan in an attempt to bait her into fighting him. Desperate to get her brother back, Sienna confronts Art inside a creepy abandoned carnival. An epic villain vs. final girl battle ensues.
The original Terrifier, which was included in my list of top movies to watch on Halloween, was a creepy, effective, but plotless descent into merciless sadism. It lacked a backstory or motivation for Art’s actions. This time, director, and screenwriter Damien Leone (who also made the original movie) adds more layers to the story. Terrifier 2 still doesn’t explain why Art does what he does, but it establishes an interesting mythology around the characters. Fantasy elements are introduced, including a magical sword that Sienna uses in a memorable sequence near the end of the film.
David Howard Thornton reprises his role as Art the Clown. Art doesn’t speak, but Thornton uses body language and facial expressions to great effect. His gleefully insane performance is truly a wonder to behold. Art the Clown makes Pennywise look like Mr. Rodgers. In the third act, Thornton has fun portraying Art’s bewilderment and frustration after encountering a would-be victim that, no matter what, he just can’t defeat.
The strength of Thornton’s performance is matched by Lauren Lavera, who delivers an intense and tough portrayal of Sienna. She’s likable, genuine, and easy to root for. Sienna is one of the best final girls in recent memory. By the end, even Art seems to have developed a grudging respect for her.
Thanks to this movie’s wildly unexpected success, Art the Clown seems well on his way to becoming a famous horror villain. Who would have imagined that a hardcore slasher movie about a crazed clown would earn overwhelming critical acclaim and massive box office profits? It wouldn’t be a surprise to see Art costumes, and Sienna’s angel costume, at Spirit Halloween in the future. Heck, even The Little Pale Girl would make a great addition to any Halloween costume store’s lineup.
Of course, Terrifier 2 is not a perfect film. It leaves numerous loose ends for future installments to explain. If you’re the type of viewer who needs everything wrapped up at the end of a movie, you won’t find satisfaction here. The movie is also excessively lengthy. After the first Terrifier was criticized for not having a plot, the sequel overcompensates by packing in as many storylines as possible.
At 2.5 hours, this is likely the longest slasher movie ever made. At least ten percent of the runtime could have been cut without sacrificing any quality. Maybe in Terrifier 3, they’ll find a happy medium between no story and too much story.
Despite its flaws, Terrifier 2 is an astonishingly successful movie, especially considering its tiny budget and obscure cast. The film was made by people who are genuinely passionate about the slasher genre. It’s one of the most imaginative and innovative slashers in recent history.
Rating:
Terrifier 2 is a shockingly good sequel that improves and expands upon its predecessor while effectively setting up storylines for future installments.
Rating: from 1 (avoid at all costs to 10 (masterpiece) 7.5/10
