As with all of my reviews of films for The Creepercast, I fully recommend that you check each and every one of them out. I am one man and this is my opinion. I've seen plenty of movies that received reviews that were the complete opposite of how I saw the film. These writers, directors, producers and actors all put a lot of time and love into these projects. They deserve to be seen and appreciated for what they are. Everyone has a dream and I fully support the people that take the time to make theirs a reality. With that being said....
I watch a lot of horror films. I know, big surprise, right? I've mentioned in several other reviews how I've become a little jaded after partaking in so many different films in my life. Because of this, it's not as easy as it was to come across something that catches me off guard and lights that little spark inside me that started so many years ago. One of the instances of this occurring was with the Damien Leone film, 'All Hallows Eve'. In particular, his introduction of Art the Clown to the horror community at large. Now this wasn't his first outing, he actually was first seen in Damien's short film called 'Terrifier' from 2011. Art is a minor horror icon or will be soon, especially after seeing the full length feature version of 'Terrifier' that just came out on March 13th. Just the character design alone, is enough to establish him in the genre. Then you throw in the actual characters mannerisms and modus operandi and you've got yourself a force to be reckoned with. He may not be as well known as Pennywise the Dancing Clown or the Killer Klowns from Outer Space, but he should be. He's the stuff nightmares are made of and afraid of. I actually had a visceral reaction to him, when I watched 'All Hallows Eve'. I was drawn to the character itself, but repulsed by his actions. Kind of the anti-hero effect. Not unlike someone like Captain Spaulding. He's a very charismatic and likable fellow, but when you consider and see what he's actually capable of, he's incredibly deplorable. Despite that, I still love him and would have him tattooed on my arm. (and probably will at some point.) Art the Clown made the same kind of impression on me. He overshadowed all the other aspects of 'All Hallows Eve' and cried out for a full length film that just featured his horrifying exploits. Well, when I finally heard about that dream becoming a reality, I jumped at the chance to see what Damien had to offer us. Needless to say, I wasn't let down. The film I'm referring to is 2017's full length version of 'Terrifier'.
The film opens with an interview of one of Art's surviving victims. Now left with a face that resembles that of Gary Oldman's Mason Verger from Ridley Scott's 'Hannibal'. She's reflecting on what life is like, now that she's been left in this state. Cut to Art suiting up and gearing up for another Halloween night, ready to provide nothing but tricks and no treats. We then jump to a scene of two women, in full fledged costumes, coming home from a night of Halloween partying. Both are pretty drunk and unable to drive. While trying to decide what they should do, they spot Art watching them from an ally way. A little creeped out and thinking they need food, they wander into a late night pizzeria to have a slice and sober up a bit. Of course, Art follows them in and sits down, staring at them the whole time. Eventually, the owner kicks him out and the ladies eventually leave. When they come back to their car, the tire is flat. One of the girls calls her sister to come and bail them out. The same girl then has to pee. She heads into an old building where the exterminator is out on a smoke break. While inside, there's a news report on the car radio that a clown has killed the two guys working at the pizza place. Realizing what's going on, the girl who's still in the car is soon met with Art being in the car too. Before long, he's terrorizing the girl in the building and things just go south from there. In terms of the characters in the story, not the film itself.
The basic plot of this film is incredibly simple. One clown, one night and a lot of bloodshed. But don't let that trick you into thinking this is your run of the mill horror film. It's so much more than that. There are several things I love about this film, even within the first 20 minutes. The whole thing reads like an old 70's grindhouse epic. From the title cards, to the overall presentation of the film. It just oozes grit and grime and gory goodness. Not too mention, that in the pizzeria murders, one of them is quite possibly the most creative kill I've seen in a long time and that's saying something. The soundtrack is incredibly solid. Paul Wiley, the man behind the music, creates a soundtrack that has overtones of John Carpenter's 'Halloween' score, but with it's own flair and flavor. Speaking of sound, the sound editing in this is amazingly well done too. Kudos to Jake Bjork and Jason Milstein for knowing when music accentuates the tension and when to let things just coast on the ambient sounds of what's going on. Far too often in horror films, the music is either overly done or the sound effects are poorly carried out. We see this most often in low budget, indie scare fests. I get that monetary limitations can create issues with this part of the film making process, but this proves that it doesn't have too. I'd go so far as too say that this has some of, if not the best, sound I've heard in a film in the past decade. It's an underappreciated art form. (No pun intended) It helps to move the movie forward and feed into your fears. Another aspect of 'Terrifier' that doesn't disappoint, is the special effects. Just like in 'All Hallows Eve', the gore is off the charts. There are literally buckets of blood that flow. I don't know how they managed to pull off what they did, but it speaks volumes to what Damien and his crew are capable of in future endeavors. Now, don't let me lead you down the path that this is a perfect film, because it's not. There are some issues here. Nothing major that take away from the overall piece, but there's a fight scene, for example. It's kind of an important sequence in terms of the film and it looks so staged that it takes you out of what's actually going on. There's also the acting of Will the Exterminator. While, I love the character of Will and I think he's supposed to be a really likable guy, he's just very stilted and stiff. Once again, taking you out of the sequences he's involved in. Which is unfortunate, because he has a natural charisma that makes you like him. The last sticking point for me happens in the first part of the third act. I can't go into too many details, because I don't want to spoil anything, but we'll just say that going full 'Silence of the Lambs' was maybe a poor decision. Whatever momentum was built up and carrying you to the big finale, is just stopped as the brakes are slammed on and we all have a WTF moment. Perhaps that's what Damien was going for when he wrote it, but it hurts more than helps the film.
What else can I say at this point? It's pretty obvious that I loved 'Terrifier'. It was all the things that horror needs right now. We have monsters and madmen going to the Oscar's and winning, so we've got the smart and artsy side of the genre covered, what we still are needing is the dark and dirty side of the coin. Damien Leone is carrying that banner proudly. Right up until the very end of this film, I was already watching it with the eyes of a man who saw an entry on his 'Top 13 Horror Films of 2018'. It's a done deal. It would take 12 other pretty freaking amazing films to push this one off the list. Maybe it'll happen? But I doubt it. Speaking of the ending, I was a little concerned at first with the direction the film was heading, right after the big climax. What ultimately ended the story was perfection. It still reeked of the grindhouse elements, while adding in some 80's franchise kind of pieces and the final shot is just brilliant.... but that's not the end. There's one last thing that happens, that makes you rethink the entire film and have the instant desire to watch it again with different eyes. That's the sign of good film making. Kind of like the theory of ending a pop song on a minor chord. The sound tricks your brain into thinking the song isn't over, so you want to hear it again. But with 'Terrifier', it isn't a trick, it's a real treat and something that I wish more films were capable of. This is easily a 4 out of 5 star film and makes me excited for what's next from Mr. Leone. He's got a very firm handle on what makes horror, horror. He's created a monster for a new era, all the while incorporating the aspects of everything that's come before. I was a little hesitant going into this one, after the strength of 'All Hallows Eve'. I mean, the “Sophomore Slump” is real, but not with Damien Leone. He skipped all the other grades and graduated with honors. Long live Art the Clown, you psychotic, sick and twisted bastard.
If you like this one, check out: 'All Hallows Eve', 'Clown' and 'Killer Klowns from Outer Space'
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