Damien Leone’s new horror film apparently should come with a barf bag. “Terrifier 2,” the crowd-funded sequel to the slasher film featuring Art the Clown, dropped this week. According to viewers, it should come with a warning, as this film is causing reactions like the splatter films of yore. So gory and violent, attendees were passing out in their seats, puking in popcorn, and requiring paramedics. Perhaps they should be on stand-by for any further movie goers.
Art the slasher clown made his debut in the 2013 low-budget horror movie “All Hallow’s Eve.” He went on to get his own film in “Terrifier.” A demonic grin coupled with a black and white motif and a trademark black dot on his nose makes him an iconic face in the horror sphere. He’s the Pierrot clown you never want to meet. Even more chilling is his silence. In the classic behavior of a mime, Art says nothing, merely grinning at victims while he eviscerates them. Solid stuff as slashers go.
But apparently this film takes the cake. Word of mouth is spreading of “Terrifier 2” being nausea-inducing, making it a must-see for some and peaking the curiosity of others. After disappearing (SPOILERS) in the first film, Art has been resurrected by an evil being for this second film, and proceeds to terrorize a teenage boy and his sister. Bloody Disgusting’s John Squires gave it high praise. “It’s the kind of horror movie that just doesn’t really exist anymore.”
“Listen, I would have loved to have a couple of walk-outs, I think that’s sort of a badge of honor because it is an intense movie,” Leone told EW. “I don’t want people fainting, getting hurt during the movie. But it’s surreal. Here’s the thing, it’s called Terrifier 2, you should probably see Terrifier 1 before you jump into this one. If you see Terrifier 1, you’d know what you’re getting into. There is a now-notorious murder scene, a hacksaw scene, in Part I that everyone walks away talking about. We tried to rival that scene [in the new film] because the really supportive fan base that we’ve had this entire time, that has really started to put Art on a pedestal, I mean, those are the things that they really want. I think this movie is more accessible, but we’re essentially still making these movies for them, and if other people want to come on board, the more the merrier.”
This assertion could also be why it’s leaving its patrons queasy. The violence in horror movies these days is generally schlock. Slasher films like Friday the 13th killed teenagers in creative, sometimes comical ways. But horror movies of the olden days proudly boast their own titles that repulsed movie-goers. This reaction from audiences seems akin to the reception of 1980s “Cannibal Holocaust.” But it seems fantastic publicity for the film.
