Terrifier 3: Director Acknowledges Criticisms and Vows to Address Major Complaints

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Damien Leone, the writer and director of Terrifier 3, has acknowledged two significant criticisms of the 2022 sequel, pledging to tackle both the film's duration and the inclusion of supernatural elements.

Leone plans to limit Terrifier 3 to a runtime of less than two hours, recognizing that expecting viewers to endure a slasher film of longer duration can be overwhelming.

Additionally, while he intends to revive the raw and gritty atmosphere of the original Terrifier, Leone suggests that he will retain elements of the supernatural, as they play a vital role in Sienna's character's mythology.

Writer/director Damien Leone has confirmed that Terrifier 3 will address one of the major criticisms of its predecessor. The highly anticipated 2024 installment will continue the Art the Clown horror franchise, following on from the 2022 sequel that introduced the resilient heroine Sienna. Returning to reprise his role as Art the Clown is David Howard Thornton, alongside Lauren LeVara as Sienna, Elliott Fullam, and Samantha Scaffidi, who have all appeared in the previous movies.

During an exclusive interview with Our website for the re-release of Terrifier 2, Leone discussed the upcoming Terrifier 3. When asked about the lessons he learned from the feedback on the 2022 sequel, the writer/director revealed that he was aware of the two main criticisms: the film's runtime and the addition of supernatural elements. He assured fans that the supernatural aspect has been addressed, but also hinted that the upcoming installment will still retain some elements of it. Leone emphasized his intention to capture the original movie's grindhouse atmosphere. Here's what Leone had to say:

Yes, indeed. One of the criticisms concerns the length, which is amusing because I anticipated these criticisms and knew they would generate strong opinions. The first criticism revolves around the duration of the film. In an attempt to accommodate modern audiences, I am doing my best to keep it under two hours. This is quite a significant demand, as people generally struggle with films that exceed this length. It's even more challenging with a slasher film. So, my goal is to ensure that the film remains under two hours.

The other critique pertains to the supernatural and fantasy elements. When I wrote the script, I combined two genres that I adore - the 80s fantasy genre, reminiscent of films like Red Sonja, Beastmaster, Conan the Barbarian, and Excalibur - with a gritty grindhouse slasher film. Knowing this fusion would be divisive, I understood that I was marrying contrasting worlds. The first Terrifier was firmly grounded in reality, a simplistic grindhouse slasher film. In contrast, I decided to elevate it to a Nightmare on Elm Street: Dream Warriors level. I expected this shift to provoke polarization, but I embrace it regardless. It is crucial to the story, the mythology, and Sienna's character. We are not abandoning that aspect, but rather revisiting the world of the original Terrifier, creating a vintage retro Grindhouse film ambiance. I want the audience's first encounter with Art the Clown to be absolutely terrifying this time. As the character gains popularity, people begin to adore him, considering him cute and charming. Yet, it is essential to recognize that this character is undeniably despicable.

I want you to despise him, despite the fact that you'll still have affection for him. The nature of art will always retain its humor and eccentricity, as if I'm not eliminating his character entirely. However, there's a way to instill a fearful tone, intensifying your fear and immersing you back into that squalid, gritty world that brought us here initially. It's crucial for us to never forget our origins. Therefore, I'm reverting to the style of Nightmare on Elm Street 1 rather than Nightmare on Elm Street 5 and 6. [Chuckles]

How Terrifier 3 Could Be The Best Art The Clown Movie Yet

Terrifier 2 received a higher Rotten Tomatoes score compared to its predecessor, but it still had its share of critics. One major complaint from both fans and non-fans of the slasher sequel was its lengthy runtime of 138 minutes, which is nearly an hour longer than the original's 86-minute duration. While some argued that the longer runtime allowed for more development of Sienna and the mythology surrounding Art the Clown, others felt that it focused too much on brutal kills and lacked character development.

Leone's assurance that he has addressed the criticisms surrounding the 2022 film sets the stage for Terrifier 3 to potentially surpass its predecessors as the ultimate Art the Clown movie. Comparing the progression seen throughout the trilogy, the initial installment focused primarily on the brutality of the kills, prioritizing that over a compelling narrative. Although Terrifier 2 still indulged in similar elements, it diverged from the standard formula by introducing fresh characters and delving into the nature of Art's being.

The Christmas setting of Terrifier 3, as shown in a leaked poster, is another significant advantage. Holiday-themed slasher films are rare in today's horror genre, and combining Art's twisted humor with the Yuletide season could result in some uniquely unconventional kills, reminiscent of Michael Dougherty's Krampus. Furthermore, with Leone now backed by his largest budget to date, it will be fascinating to discover what the future holds for the next installment of the Terrifier series.

Editor's P/S

As a fan of the Terrifier franchise, I am excited to hear that Damien Leone is taking the criticisms of the second film to heart and making changes for the third installment. The first Terrifier film was a brutal and unflinching slasher flick that left a lasting impression on me, and while I enjoyed the sequel, I can understand why some fans were disappointed by its longer runtime and the introduction of supernatural elements.

I am confident that Leone will be able to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy with Terrifier 3. He has a clear vision for the film, and he is taking the time to address the concerns of the fans. I can't wait to see what he has in store for us when the film is released in 2024.