Terrifier 3 recently received a special screening at this year’s Fantastic Fest, and early reactions have praised the latest installment in Damien Leone’s horror franchise. 

Reviews suggest that Leone has managed to surpass the already gruesome and lore-heavy Terrifier 2, delivering an even more blood-soaked and intense experience. 

While the franchise has been known for its extreme gore, this latest entry has received particular attention for its storyline, indicating that Art the Clown’s reign of terror is far from over.

Introduced over a decade ago in a short film and the horror anthology All Hallows’ Eve, Art the Clown became a household name following the release of Terrifier 2. The character’s first solo outing in 2016’s Terrifier was a brutal slasher film that leaned into the dark, violent style of late 1980s and early 1990s horror. The infamous kill scene in the film left a lasting impression, helping to solidify Art the Clown as a rising icon in the horror genre.

The release of Terrifier 2 further cemented Art’s place in horror history. Funded by a successful crowdfunding campaign, the sequel brought a mix of supernatural elements, with a final girl who quickly became iconic, and a particularly graphic “bedroom scene” that left many wondering how the series could push boundaries any further. 

However, based on early reactions from Terrifier 3’s screening, it appears that Leone has once again raised the bar.

According to reviews shared by Bloody Disgusting, the latest installment features a “shower scene” that many are already comparing to Alfred Hitchcock’s iconic Psycho. 

While the gore continues to escalate, critics have noted that Leone has introduced deeper lore surrounding Art the Clown, hinting at grand, possibly biblical, developments for the character’s future. 

One reviewer, @Thebelledegore, teased on social media, “You silly fools have no idea what is waiting for you in Terrifier 3.”

With these early reviews, Terrifier 3 appears to be on track to become the franchise’s biggest hit yet, offering a mix of disturbing visuals and rich storytelling. The film will be released in cinemas on October 11, with Terrifier and Terrifier 2 arriving on Tubi on October 1.