In recent years, the horror genre has been gradually garnering more mainstream appeal with elevated horror films like The Babadook, Get Out, The VVitch, and Hereditary helping filmmakers commentate on a range of deeper adult anxieties. Although this has led to a resurgence in other subsets of horror like slashers, hauntings, and body horror films, it seems that the torture porn genre has been fading from existence. Even the last two installments in the Saw franchise feel sanitized compared to the earlier works. Determined to keep the blood pumping, writer/director Damien Leone revives Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton, Terrifier) for another murderous rampage in Terrifier 2, quite possibly the most horrific and grusome movie you will see this year.

Teenage boy, Johnathan (Elliott Fullam, The Other Two), feels a connection to last year’s Halloween massacre and plans to dress up as the demented clown. His deceased father sketches of Art possibly birthed this evil into existence. This connection attracts Art to Johnathan, along with his older sister Sienna (Lauren LaVera, Iron Fist). It is then Sienna’s mission to sleigh Art and save her small town from further bloodshed. 

Knowing Leone’s previous works, a good amount of blood and gore was expected, but nothing could have prepared me for how viscerally upsetting his new film is. From the opening scene, I was gagging at the brutality. Heads are ripped apart, faces peeled off, and bones broken like twigs. Towards the beginning of the third act, a murder is so revolting and drawn out that I had to step away to take a quick breather before returning to film. It is alarming how realistic Leone’s practical effects have gotten. I can’t even imagine how many gallons of blood production went through. 

Like many low-budget horrors, the acting is all over the place. A majority of characters lean towards stiffer, cheesier caricatures of 80’s slashers. Many conversations outside of the sleighing appear to be exaggerated and disingenuous. Thornton may be a mute clown, but he is so physically expressive. His freaky grin, hushed cackles, and loony body movements set Art apart from the masses. His unpredictability keeps viewers in a state of anxiety, fearing what he may do next. LaVera is another standout of the film. It’s almost shocking to see how she holds a sense of realism. Her pain is almost tangible. LaVera fiercely dominates the screen as this angelic heroine, suited up in fantasy armor battling, however much of her character's arc is stunted by the poor writing. 

Many storylines are haphazardly thrown in to give the film a semblance of a narrative thread, with little focus outside of the horror. Many subplots and hints at the supernatural are set up to have major importance, only to never be brought up again. The film would be unaffected if a significant portion of the film was removed. Much of the bloodshed throughout the film seems to be sprinkled in to keep the audience engaging with the story, but in reality it pokes bigger holes in the plot. It's difficult to understand why the film needed to be over two hours. 

The previous Terrifier was an onslaught of terror with little substance and poor acting. Terrifier 2 improves on some of the original’s faults, with better practical kills and a radiant final girl, but still struggles in terms of plot. Even with all of its flaws, Terrifier 2 is a wickedly good time. Fans of the graphic violence and torture porn horror will not be disappointed.

Acting and Casting - 1 | Visual Effects and Editing - 2 | Story and Message - 1 | Entertainment Value - 1 | Music Score and Soundtrack - 1| Reviewer's Preference -1 | What does this mean?