Written And Directed by Damien Leone
Sienna (to Gabbie): "Best Christmas present ever!"
Sometimes it's genuinely mind blowing how things can just take off. I mean the first solo outing for Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) was something of a modest affair but met with fair criticism over it's torture porn aspects.
Then the sequel came out two years ago and introduced a Final Girl for the 2020s in Sienna Shaw (Lauren LaVera) and instantly cemented itself a fanbase. Every horror killer needs it's veritable thorn in their side. I think Art and Sienna are destined for this dance for a little bit longer.
With the first two movies making decent use out of a Halloween setting, this one decided to add some nightmare fuel for Christmas. Art opened the movie by slaughtering an entire family on Christmas Eve, only to leave a little girl alive in his own sadistic form of giving for the Holidays.
Coupled with some flashbacks that reintroduced the unfortunate Victoria (Samantha Scaffidi), now possessed by the Pale Little Girl and giving birth to Art's head. Let's just say that once again, Art has a partner in crime and one that also did a lot of talking too.
As for Sienna, she's become an adult, had a bout of hospital treatment and an estranged relationship with her college attending brother Jonathan (Elliott Fullam). To say she's got unresolved issues from her encounter with Art would be an understatement. Sadly for her, not everyone wants to hear about those issues.
There's a family support system with Sienna's aunt Jess (Margaret Anne Florence), the latter's husband, Greg (Bryce Johnson) and daughter, Gabbie (Antonella Rose). Greg's more waty of Sienna while Gabbie's in full idolising mode, even going as far as reading Sienna's diary and wanting to learn more about Art the Clown.
As for Art and Victoria, they build up a kill count between the pair of them as they hunt Sienna down. A shopping mall full of kids, a dive bar with patrons, the use of rats and Jonathan's roommate, Cole (Mason Mecartea) and his girlfriend, Mia (Alexa Blair Robertson) are all fodder for the big event itself. Even poor Jonathan became more expendable in this one.
The final act itself between Art, Victoria, Sienna and Gabbie certainly had it's moments. The movie definitely doubled down on the religious side of things with Sienna and with Gabbie's fate, the groundwork for the inevitable fourth movie will definitely take this franchise to a very hot place. Yes, I know what I did with that pun.
- There are many disgusting moments in this movie but aside from the rats, Victoria pleasuring herself with a shard of glass was horrific.
- Gruesome homage to Psycho with the way Art dealt with Cole and Mia.
- Flashbacks with Sienna's father, Michael (Jason Patric) filled in a few gaps while a bloodied Brooke (Kailey Hymen) hated Sienna.
- Chris Jericho was back as orderly Burke and Daniel Roebuck played Santa Claus. Neither survived of course.
- Standout music: O Christmas Tree, Deck The Hell and God Rest Ye Scary Gentlemen.
- Chronology: Five years since the events of the previous movie.
Terrifier 3 turned out to be something of a triumph in it's own unashamedly gruesome way. It maintained the quality of the second movie, found new ways to be disgusting, expanded on some mythology and set up it's next installment nicely. Oh and it had fun in its festive setting.
Rating: 7 out of 10
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