REVIEW: 'Terrifier 2' Is Bloody Halloween Fun (FANTASTIC FEST 2022)

On September 22nd, 2022 I was lucky enough to attend the premiere for Terrifier 2, the sequel to the modern splatter film cult classic. Does the sequel measure up to the now iconic original? Read on to find out.

Starting with a strong and bloody opening, Terrifier 2 has a fun Halloween feel to it. Several points of the film carry a heavy influence from both Halloween (1978) and Halloween II (1981) which really nails the fall season vibes. In fact, I'd venture to say the fantastic set design and costuming of the film really makes it feel like a fun Halloween bash.

The film follows a young woman named 'Sienna' (played by Laura LaVera) and her younger brother Jonathan (played by Elliot Fullam) on Halloween night as Art The Clown makes his return, one year after his previous Halloween massacre.

Writer and director Damien Leone keeps the tone from the original film alive and well throughout the sequel, with a stark improvement in the story structure and character writing from the original. While the original lacked a traditional story structure and focused more on the 80s grindhouse tone with more than enough violence to satisfy gore hounds, Terrifier 2 really honed in on the story factor with relatable characters, strong dynamics, and more clear story beats. While the third act dragged a bit, I enjoyed its resolution as well as many of its visuals.

The protagonists in the film are likeable and have a stake you find yourself caring about, and the rest of the ensemble cast and cannon fodder for Art The Clown all captivate you well enough. The heart and soul of the film is Laura LaVera as Sienna, who brings a fierce force to the film and plays a great Laurie Strode to Art's Michael Myers.

Another thing kept in-tact from the original film is the intense gore and kill scenes. The 2016 film has the iconic  hacksaw scene (if you know, you know), and in Terrifier 2 Leone, who also did the makeup effects, attempts to top that scene with a pretty hard to watch mutilation of one of the characters. Overall the gore in dialed up to eleven and on full display in Terrifier 2, and the violence of the film is unapologetically unhinged.

Art The Clown, the main attraction to the film and growing fan favorite slasher villain, is the true star of the show and Leone does not let you forget about it. David Howard Thornton hams it up as Art and gives it his all in every scene. Whether it's skinning someone alive or sitting across from the main character not even laying a hand on them, Art's personality consistently exudes a morbidly fun demeanor.

Overall Terrifier 2 is a great improvement over the original's weak points, and the gore is still violent, gratuitous, and hard to watch…and horror fans wouldn't have it any other way. Art The Clown continues to be a modern horror icon, leaving me excited for what's next to come in the franchise, and it's a sure thing that there will be more.

Terrifier 2 is violently slashing into theaters on October 6th, 2022. It's a fun and bloody Halloween romp you won't want to miss.

If you enjoyed this review be sure to give it a like and share it around to even more horror fanatics. Follow me on Twitter at @JacobAtTheMovie for more horror news and reviews, and on Instagram and Letterboxd @JacobTheHarper.