Don’t like Christmas? Neither does Art the Clown. Except that he decides to ruin the party by committing horrible crimes. Third opus of a gory horror franchise, Terrifier 3 has, exceptionally, been banned for under 18s. A double-edged decision.
Terrifier 3: the killer clown attacks Christmas
For some, clowns are those burlesque characters found at the circus or at certain birthday parties. For others, they represent a real phobia. This second category of people has largely influenced cinema and literature, with works (and films) such as Itwhere clowns are absolutely terrifying demonic and bloodthirsty entities. In 2017, and with a budget of approximately 35,000 dollars, the young director Damien Leone released Terrifiera horror film in which a killer clown does everything in his power to ruin Halloween. This involves horrible murders and other stratagems, but the film is timidly received by critics.
It did, however, work well enough for a sequel to be developed. This time, the public is receptive, and so it is no surprise thata third opus, much more ambitious, is underway.‘ In the meantime, the first opus has been re-released, being distributed in more than 700 theaters in 2023. For Terrifier 3, released on October 9 in cinemas, Art the Clown changes his tune. Halloween is over, its target is now Christmas. As always, we find an ultra-gory film with ever more inventive crimes and a real desire to create unease. However, and something extremely rare in cinema for a non-pornographic film, Terrifier 3 was banned for those under 18 in France.”’ After having issued an initial opinion classifying the film -16, the classification commission proposed to the Ministry of Culture to ratify a ban on minors
The commission proposes a ban on minors under eighteen years of age for this violent and gory film which has the particularity of multiplying sadistic scenes of extreme violence with the desire to associate the viewer with a form of glorification of violence presented in a favorable light likely to seriously disturb the public’s sensitivity while nevertheless having a narrative with a gory aesthetic.
Ban on under 18s: between interest and fears
At ESC, the distributor of Terrifier 2 and 3, disappointment reigns supreme:
Going from 16 years for Terrifier 2 to 18 years for the third part seems terribly severe to us. Some people find the new opus more violent than the previous one, others not, but in all cases adding a warning would have seemed fairer to us. Minors under 18 will not be allowed to see the film, as you will have understood. But this also complicates its exit, declares Victor Lamoussière from ESC.
This decision is double-edged. It actually arouses greater interest in the filmspectators wondering what could provoke such a radical choice, but not only that. Cinemas can reduce the number of sessions and must put in place the means to control the age of viewers. Some are also concerned about the message sent by this ban but whatever happens, it will not change. The distributors had the opportunity to appeal, but the decision came too late for another edit to be made.
Cinephiles will surely wonder about this classification in the country of the New French Extremity, where, as 20 Minutes indicates, films like Inside, Martyrs et Sheitan. In any case, ESC does not intend to reduce its ambitions in France. Victor Lamoussière finally clarifies to our colleagues that he will continue to distribute horrible films. The appointment is made, it remains to be seen if Terrifier 3 will have the expected success despite this ban on minors.
