Terrifier 3 is a 2024 American Christmas slasher film written and directed by Damien Leone, and starring David Howard Thornton, Lauren LaVera, Elliott Fullam, and Samantha Scaffidi. Taking place on Christmas, the story follows Sienna Shaw as she attempts to rebuild her life while Art the Clown is in pursuit of her alongside his new accomplice, Victoria Heyes. It is the sequel to Terrifier 2 (2022), and is the third installment in the Terrifier franchise.
Following the critical and commercial success of Terrifier 2, Leone began writing for the third film with plans for an overarching narrative. Leone wanted to feature Victoria more prominently, as he regretted leaving the character underdeveloped in the first film. The film features her in an antagonistic role. The script also develops the character of Sienna Shaw further and explores themes of trauma, survivor guilt, and good and evil. Principal photography took place from February 2024 until April 2024.
Terrifier 3 premiered at Fantastic Fest in Austin, Texas on September 19, 2024, and will be released theatrically on October 11. The film received generally positive reviews from critics.
Premise
After surviving Art the Clown’s Halloween massacre, Sienna and her brother struggle to rebuild their shattered lives. As the holiday season approaches, they try to embrace the Christmas spirit and leave the horrors of the past behind. However, just when they think they’re safe, Art returns, determined to turn their holiday cheer into a new nightmare.
Cast
David Howard Thornton as Art the Clown
Lauren LaVera as Sienna Shaw, Jonathan’s older sister and the one who decapitated Art in the previous film
Elliot Fullam as Jonathan Shaw, Sienna’s younger brother who is now in college
Samantha Scaffidi as Victoria “Vicky” Heyes, the older sister of Tara Heyes and the sole survivor of the events of the first film, who becomes evil and acts as Art’s partner-in-crime
Chris Jericho as Burke, a nurse in Miles County’s psychiatric hospital
Daniel Roebuck as Santa Claus
Tom Savini
Jason Patric
Antonella Rose as Gabbie
Margaret Anne Florence as Jessica
Bryce Johnson as Greg
Krsy Fox as Jennifer
Alexa Blair Robertson as Mia
Mason Mecartea as Cole
Stephen Cofield Jr. as Officer Evans
Clint Howard
Annie Lederman
Jon Abrahams
Production
This film will feature the character of Victoria Heyes, the heroine turned villainess of Terrifier (2016), in a much more prominent role compared to the 2016 film and its 2022 sequel—with Damien Leone’s biggest regret with the first film being leaving her underdeveloped. The original ending of Terrifier 2 set up Victoria’s demise in the opening of this film, but Leone deemed it to be too similar to the concept of Malignant (2021). While conceptualizing the birthing scene, he decided he wanted to keep Victoria alive and give her significant character development, as he enjoyed working with Samantha Scaffidi.
In December 2023, it was confirmed that Chris Jericho was set to appear in Terrifier 3. In April 2024, it was confirmed that Daniel Roebuck was set to appear as Santa Claus in Terrifier 3. In May 2024, it was announced that Tom Savini was set to appear in Terrifier 3. In June 2024, it was announced that Jason Patric was set to appear in Terrifier 3. In July 2024, it was announced that Antonella Rose, Krsy Fox, Clint Howard, and Jon Abrahams were set to appear in Terrifier 3.
In May 2023, it was announced that Terrifier 3 was expected to begin filming in November or December 2023. Principal photography began in February 2024 and wrapped in April 2024, with additional scenes completed in New York until early/mid June. Leone chose to shoot the film using Panavision anamorphic lenses with the intention of making the film look like a, “vintage John Carpenter movie”.
Release
In June 2023, Cineverse acquired the North American distribution rights to the film and set a wide theatrical release, with an exclusive streaming debut on its Screambox service.[16] The film was originally scheduled to be released theatrically on October 25, 2024. In May 2024, the film’s release was brought forward by two weeks from its original release date of October 25, 2024, to October 11, 2024.[20][21] In August, it was announced that the film would have its world premiere on opening night at the 2024 Fantastic Fest on September 19. In September, the film was announced to be playing in select AMC Theatres on October 10, 2024, as a double feature with Terrifier 2, followed by a music video presentation of the film’s official song A Work of Art by Ice Nine Kills.
Reception
Box office
The film is projected to gross $5–10 million in its opening weekend.
Critical response
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 16 critics’ reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.1/10. Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 68 out of 100, based on four
