If you’re petrified by clowns, but still love a good scare, you’re in for a treat; based on a common phobia, Terrifier is an American slasher film that portrays a murderous character named Art the Clown.
The film received three Fangoria Chainsaw Award nominations and was well-rated by film critics. But, what makes the movie so great? If this is the first time you’re hearing about Damien Leone’s films, fret not; all the aspects will be covered in the article below. Keep on reading to find out all the juicy details about one of the most terrifying slasher horror movies of all time! Beware, though – this article is not for the faint of heart.
How Many Terrifier Movies Are There?
So far, there are only two Terrifier movies, including a 20-minute short namesake film from 2011. It is important to note that the short story is often disregarded, though it will be mentioned throughout the article. With All Hallows’ Eve (2013) and All Hallows’ Eve 2 (2015) which technically could serve as prequels, there are four movies in total.
It is worth mentioning that Art the Clown is also featured in another one of Leone’s short movies called The 9th Circle.
Terrifier (Art the Clown) Movies in Order
Here are the Terrifier (Art the Clown) movies in order of release, including the earlier anthology films:
- Terrifier (2011)
- All Hallows’ Eve (2013)
- All Hallows’ Eve (2015)
- Terrifier (2016)
- Terrifier 2 (2022)
Though the fifth installment is yet to be theatrically released on October 6, 2022, the remaining movies are easily found on streaming services online. So, what makes these movies so interesting, and what is the best way to watch them?
The Best Way to Watch Terrifier (Art the Clown) Movies?
The best way to watch Terrifier movies is in order of their release. Here’s why:
Although not strictly necessary to fully understand the story, watching the first two anthology movies (All Hallows’ Eve and All Hallows’ Eve 2) is widely recommended, simply because it helps you gain insight into what the main character, Art the Clown, really is like. By watching the movies in the order of their release, you can get a better feel of who the terrifying clown really is, and what his style is like. Still, it is ultimately up to you; by starting with Terrifier, the other movies can be watched as prequels.
Terrifier (Art the Clown) Movies in Order by Release Date
Terrifier (2011)
IMDb rating: 6.9/10
A young woman becomes the next target of a maniacal entity after witnessing a brutal murder on Halloween night.
All Hallows’ Eve (2013)
IMDb rating: 5.1/10
A babysitter finds a VHS which features multiple sinister murders – all performed by a sadistic clown.
All Hallows’ Eve 2 (2015)
IMDb rating: 4.8/10
Alone on Halloween, a woman finds a VHS tape on her doorstep that depict a series of gruesome murder tales, that appear to be all too real.
Terrifier (2016)
IMDb rating: 5.6/10
Tara Heyes finds herself as the obsession of a murder clown known as Art the Clown.
Terrifier 2 (2022)
IMDb rating: 7.1/10
After being resurrected by a sinister entity, Art the Clown returns to the town of Miles County where he targets his next victims on Halloween night.
But, Who Is Art the Clown?
The main antagonist of the Terrifier movies is a demonic killer clown with mime-like qualities who appears on Halloween nights. The character originated in Damien Leone’s short film The 9th Circle before taking on a more prominent role in his other feature horror films.
In Terrifier, it is revealed that Art has a Caucasian skin tone, along with shaved eyebrows. He is depicted as having a thin build, and being somewhat tall, though his appearance does drastically change throughout the short films that are shown in All Hallows’ Eve. Gradually, his appearance becomes more unsettling – in the end, we can see him having rotten, filthy teeth, and abnormally shaped facial features. The sadistic clown dons the appearance of a clown dressed in a black and white costume, often shown carrying a black trash bag in which he keeps his weapons.
Supernatural Abilities
Despite his appearance as a human clown in the first short VHS film in All Hallows’ Eve, Art the Clown possesses various supernatural abilities.
Some of his supernatural abilities and skills include immortality, clairvoyance, regeneration, teleportation, and even inter-dimensional travel. Not only that, but he can warp reality and manipulate technology.
Silent, but Expressive Personality
Art’s behavior is like that of a silent clown; he is never shown making any audible noises – which, ultimately, makes him even more terrifying. For example, instead of screaming when in pain, he mimes the screams. He is also very theatrical when hunting his victims, and can oftentimes be seen performing his kill in a comedic manner.
What makes him truly different from other silent slasher villains, is the fact that the sadistic clown is very emotional and expressive, oftentimes seen using gestures and facial expressions to communicate.
Are Terrifier Movies Connected?
Aside from having the same sadistic clown, the movies are not entirely connected. Story-wise, there is no need to watch All Hallows’ Eve understand the plot of Terrifier movies. But, the newest addition to the series, which will be released on October 6, 2022, will serve as a sequel to Terrifier from 2016.
Will There Be More Terrifier Movies?
Terrifier (2016) is a full-length, spin-off from earlier films, and there is another sequel just waiting to be released. Terrifier 2 (2022) has already debuted at the Arrow Video FrightFest in London, England on August 29, 2022, but the fans will have to wait a bit more for it to be released to streaming platforms. The movie will receive a nationwide US cinema release after October 6 and will be available for streaming in November 2022.
There is definitely a lot more to explore with Art, and I think the genre can use a fresh slasher. I can see us making 3 solid Terrifier movies before the well is completely dry. It also depends on how well the film is received and if people want more.
-Damien Leone, in an interview featured on Bloody Flicks
Where to Watch the Terrifier (Art the Clown) Movies?
Unfortunately, the first Terrifier is not on Netflix anymore. You can watch it for free on platforms like Vudu, and Roku Channel. The movies can also be found on other streaming services such as Hulu and Amazon Prime Video, Google Play, or Apple TV.
