Terrifier 3 has arrived just in time for Halloween (and Christmas), marking the return of Art the Clown, the franchise’s driven final girl Sienna, and a few familiar faces alongside several new victims. But does the third film feel like it’s a solid horror hit — or is this entry just a novelty film with immense gore and a holiday theme?

Alternating Between Wins and Losses with its Story

Terrifier 3, directed by Damien Leone, picks up with Art the Clown’s gruesome antics before transitioning into a lengthy time skip (and when it comes to its villains’ unique hibernation, it’s executed rather creatively). While the film certainly delivers on the gore and shock value (more on that later), the plot feels slightly disjointed as it attempts to weave together Art’s resurrection, the release of Sienna Shaw from a psychiatric hospital, new family members, and the deeper exploration of Victoria (more recently known as, the Little Pale Girl). While ambitious, the effectiveness of these plot points sometimes lacks impact given that this setting feels temporary from the very start.

Victoria Heyes Steals the Bood-Soaked Spotlight

After her brief inclusion in the first film and a grotesque cameo role in its sequel, the return of Victoria in Terrifier 3 marks her strongest appearance yet. From her somber introduction in the third entry with glimpses of fragility to her desire to instill terror in everyone she comes into contact with, Victoria is without a doubt, one of the strongest next-gen horror villains we’ve seen courtesy of star Samantha Scaffidi. More impressively, it can be said that Victoria has actually surpassed Art as the franchise MVP, turning into a new classic horror icon that’s bound to embed herself in your nightmares.

Holiday Theme Novelty

The film’s holiday theme, although unique, feels more like a novelty than a crucial element of the story. Art donning a Santa suit and using Christmas props as weapons is a creative idea, but it fails to add significant depth to the narrative outside of the film’s interest in tainting specific holiday festivities. For experienced horror buffs, it’s not as if the film is the vilest thing we’ve seen; however, its overt attempts to evoke reactions feel less impactful than some of its holiday-centric peers like the original Black Christmas or Silent Night, Deadly Night. It’s all about creating that comfortable, warm space before ripping it away.

Creative Moments

The film also boasts some creative moments that stand out amid the relentless gore — offering several scenes where the director’s ingenuity shines through visually striking, memorable sequences. However, these moments are occasionally overshadowed by the film’s focus on shock value and brutality. The balance between creativity and gore feels partially uneven, with the latter dominating the narrative. For example, take the film’s torture-flick death scene which confusingly involves a few tools and a rodent. It’s moments like this that make the film feel like, while it knows where it’s going, it’s not exactly sure how to get there. Though, to the film’s credit, sequences like the final fight with Sienna or the ‘80s-esque portal are definitive moments that strongly represent the film’s creativity. Sometimes you just have to accept the bad with the good.

An Emphasis on the Ick Factor

As stated above, while Terrifier 3 certainly succeeds in grossing out its audience (and as a horror veteran, I’m not new to the gore and can appreciate it), but it often feels like its sole purpose is to do just that. The relentless brutality and gore, while sporadically impressive, do not fulfill the film’s horror potential outside of the obvious shock factor. Terrifier 3’s focus on crafting these shocking visuals overshadows the potential for a more nuanced and psychologically engaging horror experience. Not that it’s entirely needed for every horror film — but showcasing both sides of the coin is kind of important for a film spawning an entire franchise.

Score: 6/10

Terrifier 3 has moments of creativity and some interesting character developments, particularly with our new favorite villain Victoria. However, its unconvincing plot and superficial holiday theme partially undermine its potential to live up to the second installment’s success.