WFG RATING: A+

Cineverse, Bloody Disgusting, and Screambox presents a Fuzz on the Lens/The Coven production in association with Dark Age Cinema. Written, edited, and directed by Damien Leone. Produced by Phil Falcone. Cinematography by George Steuber.

Stars Lauren LaVera, David Howard Thornton, Antonella Rose, Elliott Fulham, Samantha Scaffidi, Margaret Anne Florence, Bryce Johnson, Alexa Blair, Mason Mecartea, Krsy Fox, Chris Jericho, and Tom Savini. 

He’s back and he’s bringing some season’s beatings and chillings in the third installment of the new iconic horror franchise.

It has been five years since Miles County was terrorized by Art the Clown. However, he was defeated by Sienna Shaw, who has been in a rehab facility since the incident. Art, however, has been reborn thanks to former victim Victoria Heyes, who is willing to guide him back to Miles County. It’s Christmas and Sienna has been released to her uncle Greg. She is excited as she reunites with Greg, aunt Jessica, and cousin Gabbie. 

Meanwhile, Sienna’s brother Jonathan is now a college freshman. His roommate’s girlfriend runs a true crime podcast and has been itching for Jonathan to talk about his experience from five years ago. However, when Sienna recognizes Art, dressed as Santa, returning, she tries to convince Jonathan she’s not crazy. When the body count starts to rise, Sienna realizes she is the only one who can stop him with the help of a being known as the “Terrifier”. 

2022’s Terrifier 2 became the pinnacle for the new clown of terror, Art the Clown. However, if the second film of the series was the stepping stone, this new installment becomes the stamp. Art the Clown is the new icon of horror. He has officially joined the ranks of Freddy, Jason, Michael Myers, Chucky, Pinhead, and Leatherface. This time around, Art is spreading some Christmas fear with his return. This time, he finds help in the form of the one character who showed sympathy for him, Victoria Heyes, reprised by Samantha Scaffidi. 

David Howad Thornton once again shines as Art. The mimicking movements and facial expressions are picture perfect. Even when he begins killing, the look on his face is priceless. He even blends his brand of humor when he begins unleashing hell. There is a disturbing scene where Victoria, witnessing one of the killings, gets satisfied and uses a shard of glass. That’s where I’m stopping with this.

Lauren LaVera has also joined the ranks of phenomenal final girls. Ones can think of Laurie Strode, Nancy Thompson, Alice Johnson, and Sally Hardesty. Add Sienna Shaw to that list now as LaVera pulls off an amazing performance. We see her trying to find peace within herself and yet, the past catches up to her not just in the form of Art, but in one scene, Kailey Hyman reprises her role from Terrifier 2 as Brooke, in her post Art-state getting in Sienna’s head. We are also treated to Sienna’s full backstory involving the Terrifier and the connection between her and her father. 

There are going to be those who are opposing to the death of children in the film. Thankfully, Leone doesn’t actually show it happening, but rather show the aftermath in a few key scenes. There are some very inventive kills in the film but the question that is raised is: is there a kill that can up-one the infamous bedroom scene kill in Terrfier 2? The answer is a resounding yes! This one involves Mason Mecartea’s Cole and Alexa Blair’s Mia hot and heavy shower getting interrupted by a chainsaw-wielding Art, making similar scenes from Psycho and Scarface look like kiddie fare. This scene is a guarantee that guys especially will want to avoid a shower for a while…possibly.

Leone did announce a few weeks ago as of this review that Terrifier 4 is happening! And considering how this one ends, this is one reviewer ready for Leone and Art to bring it on once again! Terrifier 3 is definitely one of the greatest horror films of the year thanks to the amazing performances of David Howard Thornton and Lauren LaVera as well as its inventive kills, notably the shower kill.