Review of Terrifier 2 (2022) by Jamess — 23 Oct 2022

Damien Leone's Terrifier 2 is like the cheesiest mid 80s horror you'd find on USA Up All Night at three in the morning, mixed with the extreme body horror of a Mario Bava. 80s references: The main characters are a teenage girl and her younger glasses-wearing computer nerd brother obsessed with serial killers.

Especially one in particular. The synth music hums through every scene, when it's not trying to sound Carpenter-ish. The main authority figures, their mother and teacher, do nothing but yell at them constantly (parents just don't understand!).

One character looks like she stepped off the set of Working Girl. I know it's Halloween, but the 80s look is spot on. Credit must be given to Leone in the creation of Art (art, get it?) the Clown. The stark black and white costume and make up design are just right, the tiny askew hat is the cherry on top.

Whereas Art was a bit subdued in his two previous appearances (he just had to look menacing), Leone lets his characters freaky clown flag fly. Through physical movement, gestures, bits of business, Art the Clown has the time of his life slicing, dicing and tearing through his victims.

And that he does. The gore is outlandish, as bodies are beaten and torn apart like the sacks of meat we are. Though a two hour running time would have helped, you gotta love where Leone takes his little cult film.