Terrifier 2 (2022) review – The Ultimate Horror Sequel
Directed by: Damien Leone
Starring: Jenna Kanell, Lauren LaVera, David Howard Thornton
Synopsis:
After being resurrected by a sinister entity, Art the Clown returns to the timid town of Miles County where he targets a teenage girl and her younger brother on Halloween night.
This movie is not for the faint hearted.
Fans of the first Terrifier movie constantly asked director and writer, Damien Leone to bring Art the Clown back, from his first appearance in All Hallows Eve the character had already garnered a cult following. Well rest assured, Damien has heard your cries and has delivered the goriest movie of 2022.
Art targets high school teen, Sienna played by Lauren LaVera, a role she plays with perfection and brings to life a character we all root for, LaVera is set to become a scream queen we will all remember and be talking about for years to come. She has the innocence and badassery of Laurie Strode from the Halloween franchise, except, Sienna’s transformation from innocent to a take-no-shit warrior is done within the movie.
80’s Vibes
The movie has a very 80’s feel to it, the special effects and gore is reminiscent of the classic slasher movies from the likes of Argento with a touch of grindhouse spliced in for extra kick. The synth music that brings instant 80’s especially when Sienna is making her Halloween costume.
Outstanding performances
David Howard Thornton plays Art with incredible unease. Art can go from being darkly-weirdly-hilarious to raging psychotic killer in less than a second. No-one is safe when Art appears on screen, it’s near enough a given that any character he comes in contact with will meet a grisly demise. Art doesn’t use a butcher knife, hunting knife or machete, he uses whatever he can get his hands on or has made himself or simply…his hands.
Lauren LaVera is such a badass final girl, and it wouldn’t surprise me if in ten, twenty years she holds the same status as Jamie Lee Curtis in the horror genre. It’s been a long time since we have had a final girl we could wholeheartedly root for and I think the character of Sienna has firmly fallen into that role. I look forward to seeing how Sienna and Art’s story continues.
Verdict
The movie has quite a long runtime, it’s around 2hrs and 10 minutes, though the movie never feels like it’s dragging its heels. The gore level is amped up and the opening re-introduction to Art will have viewers looking away, throwing up or gagging. If you make it past this point, the bedroom scene will more than likely call for a slight intermission or a complete tap-out. Leone pulls no punches with the gore and doesn’t hesitate to go beyond the norms when it comes to Arts killings.
Art still has an aura of mystery about him, and his backstory has yet to be fleshed out, which is something I’m sure audiences will be reeling to see and something Leone is pacing out well, feeding the audience only tidbits to keep them hooked. Bring on the third entry!
**Keep them peepers peeled** Look at out for cameos from scream queens, Tamara Glynn and Felissa Rose
Be sure to stay after the credits. Good Luck!
Signature Entertainment presents Terrifier 2 on Digital Platforms, DVD and Blu-ray alongside Terrifier 1 & 2 Blu-ray box-set 24th October
