Rating summary

Movie		3.5
Video		3.0
Audio		4.0
Extras		3.0
Overall		3.5

Terrifier Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Justin Dekker October 15, 2024

Writer/director Damien Leone's 2016 film 'Terrifier' arrives on Blu-ray courtesy of Epic Pictures. The film, which has since spawned two sequels, stars David Howard Thornton as the relentless killing machine Art the Clown, as he terrorizes a small group of people on Halloween night. Inspired and influenced by the slasher films of the 1980s, 'Terrifier' makes extensive use of practical effects in this bloody tale. A number of special features are also included, the most engaging of which is an interview with star Jenna Kanell. A DVD disc is also included, but a Digital Code is not.

As slasher fans and horror aficionados in general are well aware, Halloween is an extremely dangerous night. Without even pausing to take a breath, most could probably name a number of genre classics that take place on that haunted night. For me, Night of the Demons (1988), Halloween (1978), Trick r' Treat (2007) , and Hack-o-Lantern (1988) immediately spring to mind, but there are more. Viewers looking for more seasonal scares can now add 2016's Terrifier to the list. Time will tell if the film reaches the cult and/or classic status of these titles, but the fact that the activities of this killer clown have already given rise to two sequels and an avalanche of merchandise available at mainstream and specialty stores alike suggests that the young franchise is well on its way.

Terrifier has a very simple plot with the most basic of set-ups for the evening's blood and butchery. After a contextless scene between a television news anchor and a horribly disfigured woman who survived a brutal attack, the film transitions to Jenna Kanell (Tara, Renfield) and Catherine Corcoran (Dawn, Return to Nuke 'Em High: Vol. 1, Return to Nuke 'Em High: Vol. 2). The two are a bit in their cups and on their way home from a Halloween party. After an odd but seemingly harmless encounter with a man in a clown costume, the pair of young women decide to stop for a slice of pizza before starting their drive. Soon enough, the clown, with a large trash bag slung over his shoulder like a demented Santa Claus, enters the same late-night eatery. Tara and Dawn quickly find his mute starring unnerving, and after he defiles the restroom, the manager throws him out. After the women leave the restaurant, Tara needs to make a routine and ordinary bathroom break in a dilapidated building. With that, the stage is set for the ongoing bloody horror that consumes the remainder of the film's runtime.

The film's no-nonsense, let's-get-down-to-business approach sets it apart from the bulk of the films that inspired filmmaker Damien Leone. Most slashers from the 1980s spent a fair amount of time setting the stage, bringing the viewers into the world of the film, and focusing on the typically young and attractive actors who fill out the roster of probable victims. By the time the killing begins in those films, viewers are invested in the characters, knowing who's virtuous, who deserves everything they've got coming to them, and who they're rooting for to be the "final girl". Here, the maiming and murder begin disorientingly rapidly before viewers are grounded in the film's reality with victims piling up before we even have a chance to learn the character's names. Even the all-important villain is scarcely referred to by name, with the most meaningful and substantive reference being scrawled on a bathroom wall with an -ahem- improvised "ink".

Perhaps driven by its low-budget origins, the film was reportedly made for approximately $35,000, Terrifier's abandoned warehouse/apartment building setting is also somewhat atypical. 1978's Halloween, for example, was set in a familiar and friendly environment - a typical middle-class neighborhood populated with houses June Cleaver would be happy to call home. Friday the 13th (1980) is similarly set in the wholesome and happy environs of Camp Crystal Lake, whose cabins and picturesque landscape foster a sense of youthful fun and enjoyment. Camps of this ilk are a fond shared memory for many who grew up in the era. In these and other slasher films, it's the actions of the mysterious and seemingly supernatural killer that turn these "safe" settings on their heads, corrupting the familiar spaces and thereby making them something exponentially more horrifying than the creepiest cemetery. These are places not unlike those in our own past and current lives. The characters should be safe, but instead, they're fighting for their lives. The abandoned building that hosts much of Terrifier's action promises none of that normalcy or safety. It's a building that most would not enter unless they had no other choice, and for many, using the bathroom would not be sufficient impetus to cross its threshold. It's a setting that unfortunately robs the film of some of its suspense. Of course, bad things are going to happen here, just look at the place. Water leaks from overhead, corridors are filthy and dimly lit, it's infested with rats, the paint on walls and windows holds the promise of significant quantities of lead, and one can almost taste the airborne asbestos. When the killing starts, rather than feeling surprised, the viewer instead thinks, "What took so long?".

Despite the fact that given the small cast and relatively confined setting the film can seem a bit overlong and repetitive, Terrifier has two significant strengths working in its favor. First is David Howard Thornton's portrayal of Art the Clown. His simple black and white clown costume complete with facial prosthetics and a tiny hat perched at a jaunty angle on the top of his bald head may appear ordinary and harmless at first glance, but closer inspection reveals a gore-encrusted toothy grin that shows his true intentions. Never uttering a sound, even when injured by his intended victims, Thornton's lanky frame, through his posture and body control alone, conveys an alienness and prompts a feeling of unease. People simply should not move in the manner his character of Art moves. The volume of white fabric used for his costume also allows for the noticeable addition of more and more blood (both his victims' and his own) over the course of the film, which naturally only amplifies his horrible presence. Secondly, Leone's practical effects are quite noteworthy. In the tradition of the horror films of days gone by, this production largely eschews CGI, preferring latex, hoses, and gallons upon gallons of blood over digital trickery. And in large part, it's quite convincing. The wounds from Art's homemade cat-o-nine-tails feature convincingly sliced and ripped flesh, the severed head that harkens back to the "Father's Day" story in Creepshow (1982) is ghoulishly well crafted, and the scene involving the hacksaw is one most viewers won't soon forget.

Terrifier Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Shot digitally, Terrifier's 1080p is somewhat uneven. Heavily processed in post to provide the film with a dirty and gritty vintage look reminiscent of classic grindhouse films, there seems to be a cyan push to the image, and colors are slightly desaturated. Blacks are often deep and inky, but crush can occasionally be a significant issue. There are also instances where noise can be quite noticeable and distracting. While much of the film looks reasonably sharp, sometimes surprisingly so given its low-budget roots, there are also a fair number of shots where a pervasive softness is unexpectedly present, to the point where the image almost seems out of focus. Elsewhere though, and in the pizza joint in particular, detail levels are quite high with facial and costuming particulars yielding pleasing results, and Art's aforementioned gore-filled grin representing with stomach-churning realism. Skin tones are largely "healthy" and consistent within the context of the film's color palette. The image is stable and there is no evidence of damage. Blood is often a convincing and viscous deep red. Despite the issues noted above, one must assume the film largely looks the way Leone intended.

Terrifier Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Terrifier's English Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track, like the film itself, isn't flashy or fancy but it gets the job done. Dialogue is consistently clear and crisp. It's front and center focused and properly prioritized no matter the sound effects or musical cues associated with the on-screen action. Screams never cross into the territory of becoming shrill. Music is handled well and enhances the mood of the film. It is supported by adequate bass, as are the frequent gunshots and blows from bludgeoning weapons and bootheels. Directionality is accurate. There are no sibilance issues or other shortcomings to report.

Terrifier Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

In addition to the reversible cover, Terrifier comes with an assortment of on-disc special features.

• Behind the Scenes Featurette (20.07) - Largely unfocused and rough footage, this featurette provides a "fly-on-the-wall experience instead of the more typical "Making of" extra.

• Interview with Actress Jenna Kanell (9.29) - Kanell discusses her character, the filing process, and her "torture" scene, Thornton's Art the Clown, and other topics intermixed with clips from the film.

• Deleted Scenes (1.00) - Two short scenes are included.

• Art the Clown Time Lapse Makeup (0.54) - While the actual process took hours, viewers can watch David Howard Thornton transform into the murderous Art in under a minute.

• Stills (1.55) - A number of stills from the film and production shots play out silently with some spoilers being possible.

• Red Band Trailer (1.31) - A violent and bloody trailer.

• Green Band Trailer (1.29) - A less gorey trailer.

• Dread Central Presents Trailers (7.01) - Trailers for The Lodgers, #Screamers, The Monster Project, and Zombiology: Enjoy Yourself Tonight are included.

• Audio Commentary with Damien Leone and David Howard Thornton - Available in the Setup menu, the pair provide a fairly relaxed commentary filled with recollections and anecdotes from filming, details about the cast, behind the scenes information including details about practical effects, filming locations used, and laughter. Leone talks about his inspirations and both display an obvious love of film.

Terrifier Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

In his first full-length feature, Art the Clown's origins and motivations are unclear, but he is nonetheless effective in generating a frightening on-screen presence and a reasonable body count. Terrifier may lack some of the polish, mastery, resources, and resourcefulness of its influences and progenitors, but it endeavors to close those gaps with solid practical effects, a small but committed cast, and a devilish performance from David Howard Thornton. While not perfect, it does show promise for future installments. Once the credits have rolled, viewers should find the interview with Jenna Kanell and the commentary track of particular interest. Gorehounds and fans of low-budget horror have much here to enjoy, and Terrifier comes recommended.