Director Discourse on Terrifier 3: Lore, Gore, and Santa's Acclaimed Creepshow with Art the Clown
Filiping to the deviousness of Damien Leone's bewitching creation, Art the Clown, the impending doom of Halloween is about to strike theaters like a blood-stained nightmare. Back to terrorize the gritty and traumatized final girl, Sienna, from the smashing horror sensation Terrifier 2, Art makes his chilling return in Terrifier 3. You can find io9's spine-chilling review of the film right here, followed by an intriguing conversation with the twisted mind behind the madness, Leone.
Note: Our in-depth interview with Leone will be unwrapped a bit later this week, giving you a peek into the terrifying abyss without spilling any gruesome secrets.
Cheryl Eddy (io9): As more "lore" is revealed in Terrifier 3, we delve deeper into Sienna's destiny and her ties to Art, and even her father's haunting past. How calculated has your plan been in gradually revealing these fragments throughout the series, and will we eventually learn the whole story?
Damien Leone: Absolutely meticulous and deeply planned. Considering I aim to create a few films, I treat this franchise as a gripping miniseries, unveiling pieces as we progress. Introducing everything at once would simply pave the way for stale storytelling, turning the films into a series of slasher Spectacles. Some fans may find the lore baffling or too shrouded in ambiguity, but I find that appealing. To me, it sets Terrifier apart from other slasher films.
I've always envisioned the end of this twisted saga between Art and Sienna, and I've mapped out the path. As of now, it's uncertain whether it takes one, two, or more films to tell the entire story. But when it concludes, I hope it's a captivating, streamlined franchise that leaves viewers knowing everything about the characters and their grim, interwoven histories.
(io9): Does your ideal endgame involve five films?
Leone: While I prefer not to limit myself, I can't foresee the series extending much beyond five films.ided, as inspiration can strike unexpectedly and alter the trajectory. However, my instincts don't foresee it expanding beyond that at present. There's a risk of the well running dry and recurring themes becoming less effective as the franchise progresses. Crafting these films is a labor of love, and maintaining high-quality stories is essential. I'd hate to continue producing films that don't measure up to the standards of our previous efforts.
(io9): As you write each kill scene, is there ever a moment when you question your boundaries and ask, "Is this going too far?"
Leone: Yes, indeed. I set guidelines for myself, ensuring I tackle controversial themes only if they serve the story. Once a decision is made, I strive to present them in a tolerable manner, finding ways to make them tolerable for the audience. We certainly have the capacity to escalate the violence, but doing so would turn away even the most dedicated fans and diminish the overall experience. I aim to push the boundaries of what viewers expect while maintaining a level of accessibility to attract a wider fanbase.
(io9): Over the years, there have been headlines regarding viewers getting physically ill from watching your films, especially during the opening scene of your latest installment, Terrifier 3. How do you feel about those reactions? Is it a point of pride to know that your films are so disturbing they can induce physical reactions?
Leone: In a peculiar sense, yes. I view it as a badge of honor. The films are aggressive, graphic, and boundary-pushing, and audiences should be aware of what they're stepping into. Although I don't want people to be sickened to the point of fainting, it is rewarding to know that we've successfully designed an experience that is visceral and effective. Art the Clown is intended to be unsettling, and as long as we maintain that sense of dread and fear, we're doing something right.
(io9): The opening scene of Terrifier 3 alters the film's chronology, presenting audiences with a scene taken from later in the story, where Art has already donned his Santa suit. Was this a deliberate decision for shock value?
Leone: It most certainly was. Bysetting Art up as an unfamiliar monster for the audience, I could provide a fresh and unsettling perspective on the character. The subsequent films often focus on fan-anticipated slaughter scenes, with the killer as the protagonist. I don't want audiences to feel comfortable with Art; he should be cruel, sadistic, and menacing, even if we also have fun with him. By taking audience expectations and subverting them, we can keep the series feeling fresh and frightening.
(io9): What are your favorite Christmas horror movies? Since the holiday season is at the heart of Terrifier 3, I assume you have some favorites.
Leone: I've long adored the Christmas horror subgenre. My all-time favorite is the original Black Christmas, and we paid homage to that fantastic film in Terrifier 3. The eerie atmosphere and the dread-filled anticipation are unmatched. My favorite Christmas horror-themed episode of a show is the Tales from the Crypt episode titled "And All Through the House." That tale of a psychopathic Santa Claus is the ultimate example of the subgenre's delightful darkness. Draping Art the Clown in a Santa suit was a clever way to refresh the maniacal Santa Claus trope and breathe new life into the entire concept. Terrifier 3 hits theater screens on October 11, with more juicy details from our interview with Leone unraveling later this week.
Art the Clown's terrifying return in Terrifier 3 sets the foundation for a possible future in the series, with creator Damien Leone planning a captivating endgame spanning five films, if not more. In an interview with io9, Leone discusses the strategic reveal of the franchise's lore and the importance of maintaining a level of ambiguity to separate Terrifier from other slasher films.
Upon determining the boundaries of graphic violence in his films, Leone asserts that Art the Clown's unsettling nature is essential, even though it can induce physical reactions from viewers. He also acknowledges the subversive approach of altering the chronology in Terrifier 3, aiming to keep the series feeling fresh and frightening.
When discussing favorite Christmas horror movies, Leone expresses his admiration for the original Black Christmas and the Tales from the Crypt episode "And All Through the House," finding the darkness of these works delightful. Terrifier 3 will make its way to theater screens on October 11, with further insights from the io9 interview with Leone to be released later in the week.
