FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE YET TO SEE TERRIFIER 2, THIS IS A NON-SPOILER REVIEW.

Lost in the Reel’s Video Review for Terrifier 2

I have to admit that I didn’t get on the Terrifier train until the first teaser for this one was released.  But, after finally watching the original, I immediately fell for Art the Clown and Damien Leone‘s twisted vision.  Still, I had my issues with the first one, mostly revolving around the narrative and characters…  So, I was curious to see if the writer/director would be able to mend those in his new magnum opus.  And sure enough!  Leone has delivered on everything fans of the original could possibly want with Terrifier 2… This is like The Terminator 2 or The Raid 2 of horror films… it’s bigger, scarier, longer, grosser, bloodier, and has a surprising amount of heart.  Though its length makes it a bit of an endurance test.

A MORE FANTASTICAL APPROACH FOR THE SEQUEL?

The film picks up a year after the first left off, and Art the Clown has been resurrected by some kind of supernatural entity.  While  Terrifier was certainly over-the-top, it was still somehow grounded in a way… but, this new film is far more fantastical in its approach. Not a lot of these other-worldly phenomena are explained in this movie, like how Art is brought back to life or the demonic little girl following him around.  Leone decides to keep much of it ambiguous, but I liked this touch because it makes the depravity of it all, a little bit easier to stomach. 

HOW VIOLENT IS TERRIFIER 2?

Yet, Terrifier 2 will still make you queasy.  This is easily the most violent film you will see all year and I’m shocked it’s getting such a wide release, because of this.  I have a feeling general audiences, or basically, anyone who isn’t a gorehound will have a hard time getting through this movie.  I know I did.  While my tolerance for blood and guts on screen is pretty damn high, Terrifier 2 passed my threshold in its opening scene… and continued to test my limits.  I cannot count how many times I had to look away from the screen… and I never do that, not even with the Saw films.  By the end, I was almost desensitized to the bloodshed… and then the mid-credits scene happened.

 I do have to say that while the kills are memorable and I do realize the violence is part of the appeal of these movies… It is the one thing that will make me second-guess myself when deciding to re-watch this movie.  The brutality was a little much for me and I am okay with admitting that.  There’s a feeling you get during some scenes in Terrifier 2 that you’re watching something so vile and tasteless, that you’re a terrible human being for laying witness to it.  And honestly, I think Damien Leone would wear that as a badge of honor.  The director obviously set out to make something so grotesque and wrong, that will test what audiences are willing to sit through… and he has succeeded in every way.

IS THIS FILM BIGGER AND BETTER THAN THE ORIGINAL?

Though the film still has a low-budget aura to it, just like the original… there’s something about the cheesy acting, stilted dialogue, simple synth score, and old-school video quality that gives you a rush of nostalgia for the classic slashers of the seventies and eighties.  And it’s oddly comforting.  You can definitely tell Leone had a much deeper pocket of money to contend with here though, as his sequel is grander in every way.

Honestly, the make-up, blood and gore effects, and prosthetic work are so impressive, that the kills looked too realistic for my own liking.  In a perfect world, that department would be nominated for an Oscar for their accomplishments here, though that would never happen.  The film itself just has a more polished sheen to it and Leone was obviously also able to pay for better actors… Because even though some of the performances are still a little wonky, they are miles better than in the first.  

HOW IS LAUREN LaVERA IN THE LEAD ROLE?

Speaking of actors though, Lauren LaVera as Sienna Shaw, our new franchise Final Girl… is nothing short of badass and brilliant here.  Damien Leone created this angel-wing-wearing, sword-wielding heroine years ago and you can tell he has a lot of love and adoration for this character.  While Terrifier lacked anyone you could relate to or care about, he has crafted a much more character-driven screenplay here, which is led by the grief-stricken, yet headstrong Sienna Shaw. Lauren LaVera as Shaw is more than up for the task of carrying the weight of Terrifier 2 on her shoulders.  

IS ART THE CLOWN MORE TERRIFYING THAN EVER?

What about Art the Clown?  Can’t forget about that little menace to society.  David Howard Thornton completely gives himself up to this character and he is, as the title of the film would suggest, utterly terrifying.  Whether it be his mime-like silence, bulging eyes, twisted smile, or just the senseless perversion and mental instability of Art… there are so many things that make him frightening.  It’s very rare nowadays that we get an iconic horror villain that comes along, and I think Terrifier 2 cements Art the Clown as one.

SHOULD YOU WATCH TERRIFIER 2?

So, should you watch this film?  That is definitely a tough question to answer.  I think that Terrifier 2 is wildly entertaining when there isn’t violence up on the screen.  When there is, although you won’t soon forget those images, it was a little much for my own tastes.  And as for the length, you’re going to have to prepare yourself for 2 and a half hours of degradation… and it gets a little tiring.  Ultimately though, I had an absolute blast with Terrifier 2 and I think you will too.  Just make sure to buckle up for the brutality.

Terrifier 2 will be Exclusively In Theaters on October 6th, 2022.

For More on Horror, make sure to check out Fright-A-Thon, the 61-day Halloween Content Marathon!

Keep Reading:

Hellraiser – Brutal Reintroduction For The Cenobites On Hulu [Fright-A-Thon Review]