Terrifier | |
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Directed by | Damien Leone |
Written by | Damien Leone |
Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography | George Steuber |
Edited by | Damien Leone |
Music by | Paul Wiley |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Epic Pictures Releasing |
Release dates |
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Running time | 85 minutes[2] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Budget | $35,000–$55,000[3][4] |
Box office | $421,798[5][6] |
Terrifier is a 2016 American slasher film[7][8][9] written, edited, co-produced, and directed by Damien Leone. The film stars Jenna Kanell, Samantha Scaffidi, Catherine Corcoran, and David Howard Thornton. The plot centers on partygoer Tara Heyes (Kanell) and her sister Victoria (Scaffidi), who become targets of the enigmatic serial killer known only as Art the Clown (Thornton) on Halloween night.
Leone had created the character of Art the Clown for his short film The 9th Circle (2008) and then created another short with Terrifier (2011). These shorts would generate interest for what became the anthology film All Hallows' Eve (2013), which contained both segments. With the film, Leone wrote it specifically as a means of showcasing the character of Art and his practical effects work. Leone has since expressed regret for leaving the protagonists underdeveloped.
Leone tried to raise funds for the Terrifier feature film with an Indiegogo campaign, which fell short of its goal. However, producer Phil Falcone helped contribute funds to help make the film in exchange for a producer credit. Mike Giannelli, who portrayed prior incarnations of Art, retired from acting before production began, and Thornton replaced him as Art.
Terrifier premiered at the Telluride Horror Show on October 15, 2016, and received a limited theatrical release in the United States on March 15, 2018, by Epic Pictures Releasing. The film received generally positive reviews from critics and would eventually generate a media franchise. A sequel, Terrifier 2, was released in October 2022.