Terrifier 3 parents guide: Not for kids, but can teenagers watch?

As a seasoned gamer and horror enthusiast with a soft spot for extreme violence, I must say that Terrifier 3 is a rollercoaster ride of blood, gore, and suspense that will leave you both terrified and exhilarated. Having survived countless nights playing Silent Hill on my PlayStation, I can confidently attest to the fact that this film is not for the faint-hearted or casual horror fans.

The most recent movie in Damien Leone’s Terrifier collection is currently showing in cinemas, featuring a Christmas motif as the villainous Art the Clown pursues and slaughters his victims during the yuletide season. When it comes to horror films, this series is about as intense as they come, which is why it has cultivated such a devoted fanbase since its initial release in 2016. However, it’s important to note that while many people adore the Terrifier series, it is not for the faint-hearted. The series has generated controversy within the horror community due to its intense and graphic violence, so if you’re a casual fan of horror, I would suggest proceeding with caution.

Spoilers for Terrifier 3 are below.

Terrifier 3 is Not Rated — and it wouldn’t fit an R-rating

Initially, let’s discuss the official age rating – or rather, the absence of one. Similar to its predecessors, Terrifier 3 does not carry an MPA rating. To secure an R-rating, director Leone might need to tone down the violent scenes, but he’s unwilling to do so. The “Not Rated” label is intriguing to horror enthusiasts because it suggests that it could be more extreme than anything they’ve seen in an R-rated film. However, for younger viewers, this lack of a rating can be concerning. Here’s the gist:

Violence: The central theme of Terrifier 3 revolves around an excessive amount of violence. Resurrected is Art the Clown, who seeks out his victims from the second film, Sienna and Jonathan Shaw. Throughout his journey, he leaves a trail of numerous deaths, starting with the opening scene where he invades a family’s home and kills most of its members, even taking the life of a child (though the act itself is not depicted onscreen). Among his other victims are construction workers, bar patrons, Jonathan’s college friends, and several members of the Shaw family.

In a tragic turn of events, an individual carrying a bomb into a shopping mall resulted in numerous casualties, including children. The majority of these deaths were gruesome, yet it’s important to note that the mall itself was not bombed.

Gore and brutality: I discussed how this aspect was toned down from the first two films, which is accurate, but it’s still far more graphic than most horror movies. While Terrifier 3‘s kill scenes might not be as prolonged as those in Allie or Dawn’s deaths, Art remains a sadistic character who enjoys dismembering people. In the latest film, Art inflicts gruesome injuries on his victims using a variety of methods such as a box cutter to the head, forcing tubes down throats, removing organs and limbs, freezing them with liquid nitrogen, sawing them up with a chainsaw, and beating them brutally with a hammer.

In terms of Terrifier 3, the most gruesome moment is undeniably the shower scene, causing quite a stir among viewers. While I’ll avoid going into extensive spoilers, let me describe an intense sequence: when Art targets a couple engaged in an intimate moment inside a shower. After injuring the male, Art ends the woman’s life and discovers the man struggling to escape. In a chilling turn of events, Art amputates the man’s leg before using a chainsaw to dismember his lower back and private areas. The graphic depiction of this gruesome act leaves little to the imagination, even though it’s evident that it was faked. However, the realistic prosthetics make for a disturbing spectacle.

Differentiating Factors: Unlike many well-known horror films, Terrifier 3 relies less on jump scares and more on the gruesome aspects such as kills, bloodshed, and gore. The character Art the Clown remains unsettling with his mime-like mannerisms, and just looking at him can induce nightmares. However, unlike other horror movies in the genre, it doesn’t build much suspense, especially compared to its contemporaries.

Self-inflicted Death Scene: One important note about this story involves a character taking their own life. After suffering severe injuries and feeling they no longer meet traditional standards of beauty, the character submerges themselves in a bathtub and self-harms fatally. However, they miraculously return to life. Although the scene isn’t overly graphic, it carries a profound psychological impact.

Content Warning: Sexual Content and Graphic Violence: The third installment of the Terrifier series is known for its intense violence, but it also contains explicit sexual content and partial nudity. A scene depicts two characters engaging in sex inside a shower, though only their upper bodies and silhouettes are visible from outside. Additionally, there’s a graphic scene involving nudity when a character uses a chainsaw on a prosthetic buttock, but it is important to note that the body parts depicted are not those of the actual actor.

In the shocking sequence of Terrifier 3, one particularly disturbing scene involves a female character wielding a knife in an act of self-pleasure, as she watches another character named Art brutally murder someone. Although no explicit nudity is shown, this woman appears to be bleeding profusely during the act, creating a moment that leaves viewers questioning and bewildered.

Terrifier 3 parents guide: Not for kids, but can teenagers watch?

Lastly, let’s not forget about explicit language. Indeed, the “F-word” is frequently utilized in the film, along with other inappropriate phrases.

In summary, it’s essential to consider both parental discretion and one’s tolerance for intense content when deciding whether or not to watch “Terrifier 3”. Generally speaking, I would advise against teenagers viewing this film, and certainly not children. As a precautionary measure, viewers aged 18 and above can watch the movie, but please approach it with caution.

If you’re a fan of body horror, like myself, I found myself enjoying “Terrifier 3”. It wasn’t overly intense for my taste, but it may be too gruesome for some viewers. With that in mind, I wouldn’t automatically suggest this film to friends unless they’ve already watched the first two installments and are well-prepared for its intensity. This series is not suitable for everyone, especially those who scare easily or are teenagers. If you fit into either of these categories, it might be best to give “Terrifier 3” a miss.

Think you have what it takes to watch Terrifier 3? It’s now playing in theaters.

2024-10-12 18:25