The third installment of the Terrifier horror films has been banned for under 18s. We explain why.
Art the clown, central character of the film Terrifier 3 by Damien Leone, is a killer with particularly inventive methods. He has already been the protagonist of the first two installments of the series, indicates 20 minutes.
The first film did not benefit from a theatrical release in France, while the second, prohibited for those under 16, still attracted 72,000 spectators in 2023. But, the third part, released this Wednesday is prohibited for under 18s.
This decision is subject to ratification by the Minister of Culture and is based on formal justification: “The commission proposes a ban on minors under eighteen years of age for this violent and gory film which multiplies scenes of extreme and sadistic violence, aiming to glorify violence from a favorable angle, which could seriously disturb the sensitivity of the public.”
No “censorship” in France
In France, there is no “censorship” strictly speaking, but a classification system which aims to protect young spectators. All films must obtain a visa before their release, and those deemed problematic are examined by a plenary committee.
This brings together various cinema professionals, associations, psychologists and other representatives, who then vote by secret ballot to propose a classification to the Ministry of Culture.
In continuation of the first 2, #Terrifier3 is an extremely nasty and radical slasher. But at the same time the film highlights a certain tenderness towards Sienna, the best final girl since Sidney. The film takes the time to explore his trauma. Looking forward to 4. pic.twitter.com/dUqP2iSpHs
— Jaws ud83cudfac (@JawsCinema)
According to the sources of our colleagues, the majority vote for Terrifier 3 focused on banning children under 18, which considerably reduces the chances of this decision being changed. No horror film has received this classification since Saw 3-D: Final Chapter in 2010.
Victor Lamoussière, representative of the distributor ESC, is disappointed by this decision. He believes that a simple warning would have been enough instead of going from a ban on children under 16 to 18 years old. This classification complicates the release of the film, as cinemas are sometimes reluctant to program films with such severe restrictions.
Although theaters have reduced the number of screenings and there is an additional cost associated with verifying the age of spectators, the niche audience for these films is loyal and savvy. The open ending of Terrifier 3 also allows the possibility of a sequel to be considered, confirming that ESC will continue to distribute this type of film despite the obstacles.
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