Unveiling The Chilling Inspiration Behind the Brutal Kill in 'Terrifier 2'

Article Summary

Art the Clown's kills in Terrifier and Terrifier 2 are twisted and gruesome, pushing the boundaries of traditional horror movie deaths.

Director Damien Leone utilized real-life torture methods and the legacies of infamous serial killers as sources of inspiration for Art's merciless kills.

The death sequences in Terrifier 2 surpass boundaries and leave a lasting impact, with a focus on graphic and nauseating special effects that aim to disturb viewers.

Trigger Warning: The follower references torture and violence. Horror movies offer a heightened experience of life or death, often resulting in dumb death scenes depending on the tone, budget, or simply by mistake. However, when it comes to Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) and his kills, faint-hearted viewers need to proceed with caution. His deaths push the boundaries, going over-the-top and creating visceral, unsettling moments that challenge even the most hardened horror movie fans. Art takes his name literally, turning acts of violence into body horror masterpieces. No organ, limb, or appendage is spared, leaving audiences in a state of grisly horror. As Terrifier 2 (2022) prepares for its limited theatrical re-release, viewers must ask themselves if they can withstand the disturbing and grotesque kills without flinching. Director Damien Leone has crafted a modern horror icon for the 2020s in the form of Art the Clown, and he doesn't hold back. In fact, the director drew inspiration for one brutal kill in Terrifier 2 from one of the world's most notorious serial killers who was never apprehended.

Image via Bloody DisgustingTerrifier 2

After being resurrected by a sinister entity, Art the Clown returns to Miles County where he targets a teenage girl and her younger brother on Halloween night.

What Makes Art the Clown's ‘Terrifier’ Kills So Scary?

In 2016, Tara and Dawn, played by Jenna Kanell and Catherine Corcoran respectively, found themselves in a horrifying Halloween night they could never have anticipated. Although Terrifier is the first full-length film featuring Art the Clown, it is not the first introduction to this demonic character. If this is your first encounter with the sinister entity, you will quickly discover the twisted and malevolent nature of this clown-dressed creature. Art selectively targets and eventually captures the two friends. Dawn is subjected to a ghastly death scene, as she is suspended upside down while Tara helplessly watches. Art the Clown utilizes a hacksaw to gruesomely split Dawn in half, creating a nauseating and excruciating death. The director of the movie, Damien Leone, aimed to shock and surprise audiences with Art's unconventional killing methods.

In an interview with Dread Central, Damien Leone discussed his inspiration for creating pain and suffering in the film. He wanted to captivate audiences who may typically go for big-budget studio movies, therefore emphasizing the importance of impressive special effects. Leone stated, "Let us showcase a kill scene that is truly mind-blowing and unlike anything you would typically see in an average film. In my research on medieval torture methods, I discovered a method of sawing people in half using a giant saw operated by two individuals." Although Terrifier deviates from this historical practice, the film portrays a victim suspended upside down, ensuring the blood flow to their head, and thus keeping them alive long enough for the saw to reach their abdomen. However, there were countless variations of torture and execution methods, such as placing the saw at the head or groin before slicing through the flesh. Leone recognized the need to surpass these shocking scenes for the sequel.

Art the Clown Returns in 'Terrifier 2' With More Elaborate Kills

Terrifier 2 introduces what director Mike Flanagan described as a "megaslasher" who terrorizes unsuspecting victims. The unlucky coroner, Cory DuVal, mistakenly receives Art's supposedly deceased body, only to discover broken teeth and eye-gouging, proving the previous assumption wrong. Art ruthlessly kills a costume shop worker with a rusted meat cleaver, resulting in him losing his minimum wage job. However, the most shocking turn of events occurs with Allie, a close friend of the film's final girl Sienna, portrayed by Casey Hartnett and Lauren LaVera respectively. Mike Flanagan's praise of this sequel becomes evident as Terrifier 2 utilizes every second of its runtime to showcase gory and disturbing special effects. If you have seen the movie, you are familiar with the intense and unapologetic mutilation of the girl. While the brutality may not come as a complete surprise given the preceding and subsequent deaths, Allie's demise exemplifies Art the Clown's excessive and relentless killing nature.

Before joining her friend Sienna on Halloween night, Allie's house is invaded by a clown. Paralyzed by horror, Allie attempts to seek refuge in her bedroom, but it offers little solace. The clown inflicts injuries on Allie, sparing no part of her body - her eyes, scalp, and arms all fall victim to his brutal assault. Adding salt and bleach to her wounds, he intensifies her agony to unimaginable levels. Leone, featured in an interview on our website, explains the process of capturing Allie's death scene after the attack.

"I had to create a life-sized replica of Allie to emphasize that she is now no longer human but merely a lifeless puppet that awakens," Leone describes the eerie effect he aimed to create. This display of brutality on screen was a deliberate choice by director Damien Leone, who sought to surpass the "death by hacksaw" scene from his previous film. In an effort to satisfy his avid fans, whom he endearingly refers to as "gore hounds," Leone researched true-crime material on Jack the Ripper. He stumbled upon a photograph that resonated with him, depicting a horribly mutilated corpse on a bed, barely recognizable as human. Fueled by this inspiration, Leone embarked on a journey to "reverse engineer" the scenario and adapt it to Art the Clown's methods.

The True Crime That Inspired a Brutal Kill in ‘Terrifier 2’

The Jack the Ripper murders remained unsolved for various reasons. Newspapers exploited the crimes for profit or to criticize the inefficiency of the police force. The supposed killer wrote letters that fueled public fear, similar to the reaction caused by the Zodiac killer's letters 81 years later. Police investigations were mishandled, leading to further complications. Additionally, the facts surrounding the crimes became entangled with urban legends.

A documentary titled "Jack the Ripper: The Definitive Story" released in 2011 aimed to dispel the myths surrounding the elusive killer. It presented a comprehensive account based on witness statements, coroner reports, and a focus on police investigations. The documentary utilized 3D virtual environments, which may seem tacky, and featured underwhelming performances by actors. However, once the documentary gains momentum, it becomes engaging and effectively recreates the atmosphere of terror that pervaded Victorian London.

The infamous Jack the Ripper killings occurred between August and November 1888 in the Whitechapel district. This area was notorious for its poverty and prostitution, making it an ideal hunting ground for the serial killer. Five women were identified as victims of the elusive murderer: Mary Ann Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly. The victims shared similar backgrounds, having fallen into a life of alcoholism and prostitution. Although it is not explicitly mentioned, it is likely that the photograph Damien Leone referred to was that of Mary Jane Kelly, as the director mentions her particularly gruesome state. While the other four women were brutally killed in the alleys with abdominal and facial wounds, Kelly's murder occurred indoors, allowing the killer to evade capture.

Art the Clown Is Not as Scary as the Unsolved Killings by Jack the Ripper

Image via Bloody Disgusting

Mary Jane Kelly, believed to be the final victim of the notorious serial killer, was a 25-year-old woman with a mysterious past. In the book "Jack the Ripper: The Facts" (1998) by Paul Begg, detailed accounts from witnesses and the police investigation shed light on her life. Kelly, known for fabricating her personal history, was introduced to prostitution by her cousin. At the time of her murder, she resided in the Whitechapel district at 13 Miller's Court.

Her former roommate, Joseph Bartnett, had distanced himself from Kelly due to her chosen means of income. However, he still visited her occasionally, despite no longer living at Miller's Court during the time of the attack. The events of her final night are surrounded by conflicting testimonies.

On November 9, 1888, Kelly was assaulted in her ground-floor room. The broken window gave easy access to her door, allowing anyone to reach in and unlock it. Reports vary on whether she was intoxicated or sober. It is said that she was spotted on the streets, encountering a mysterious man who may have solicited her for sex. Witnesses claim to have heard a scream, with Kelly allegedly uttering the words, "Oh, murder!" The circumstances surrounding whether she was awake or asleep at the time of her murder remain uncertain.

The positioning of her body on the bed suggested that someone had been staying with her. There were noticeable injuries on her hands suggesting that she had tried to defend herself. However, the focus for director Damien Leone was the archival photograph of Mary Jane Kelly's body taken by the police when they found her. It revealed her horrifying mutilation, with organs and body parts removed and rearranged. Just like the other victims of Jack the Ripper, her throat had been brutally sliced. Her gruesome death led to increased attention and heightened fear surrounding the unsolved killings, although public and media interest gradually waned as November progressed.

Even after all this time, no one has ever been held accountable for the crimes attributed to Jack the Ripper, turning him into a legendary figure. To shake off the unsettling feeling, you can watch Shanghai Knights (2003) for a satisfying retribution against the serial killer. In one scene, he is portrayed as a menacing presence, ready to attack Jackie Chan's on-screen sister Lin (Fann Wong) on a foggy night in London. However, Lin swiftly overpowers him, knocking him off a bridge. Another representation of Mary Jane Kelly can be seen in From Hell (2001), where she is played by Heather Graham in a loose adaptation of the crimes. In this version, she not only escapes becoming a victim of the Ripper but also survives.

The movies treat the grisly kills of Jack the Ripper in various ways, some turning him into a joke or a horror movie Boogeyman. However, Terrifier 2 adds to the Jack the Ripper lore without directly referencing the real-life criminal. Allie is not the last character to be killed off, and there is more gore to come in Terrifier 3 (2024). It remains to be seen what Damien Leone will find inspiration for in the future. While Art may be sadistic, he is ultimately a supernatural movie monster. It is a relief to know that he cannot actually exist, unlike Damien Leone's inspiration from the actual history of violent acts committed by humans. That is more terrifying than the sinister delight Art the Clown brings. Thankfully, he will remain confined to the screen. Terrifier 2 can be streamed on Screambox in the U.S.

Watch on Screambox

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z fan, I have mixed feelings about the brutal kill in 'Terrifier 2'. On the one hand, I appreciate the director's commitment to creating a truly horrifying and unforgettable experience for the audience. The kill scene in question is certainly one of the most brutal and disturbing things I've ever seen in a horror movie, and it's clear that a lot of thought and effort went into making it as realistic and unsettling as possible. On the other hand, I can't help but feel that the scene is gratuitous and unnecessary. It's so over-the-top that it almost becomes comical, and it takes away from the overall impact of the movie. I think the director would have been better served by toning down the violence a bit and focusing more on building suspense and atmosphere.

Overall, I think 'Terrifier 2' is a well-made horror movie with some truly terrifying moments. However, I would caution viewers who are squeamish about violence to proceed with caution. The movie is not for the faint of heart, and it's likely to leave you feeling disturbed and unsettled long after the credits have rolled.