Damien Leone reveals the only boundary he does not intend to cross in the Terrifier saga. Although he came very close in the last film.
In October, experts expected Joker to top the box office, but it was Terrifier 3 that surprised him. Although Todd Phillips’ musical grossed more money worldwide than Damien Leone’s horror film, the difference in their budgets puts things into a different perspective.
Although the first film will lose money, the second one is already a huge success, with more than 55 million dollars in income worldwide (although it only cost 2 million). At this point, the fourth part of the Terrifier saga seems to be being announced very close – and people are already wondering how the director can go further than he did in the first three films.
“To me, it’s completely unpleasant”
In an interview with Variety, Damien Leon he has nothing to say about a possible Censor 4, but mentions a boundary he swore he would never cross.
“I’m always looking for lines to cross, to push the boundaries. Maybe I’ll even rank above them. But then you run the risk of reaching a level of really bad taste that I’m trying to avoid,” he says.
“There’s a scene at the beginning [de Terrifier 3] in which Arthur kills a child off-screen, and all you hear is the noise. I could show this (…), but I never would because, in my opinion, it is completely unpleasant and will alienate a large part of the public. It’s like you’re trying so hard to shock the audience that it becomes desperate. I think my job as an artist is to try to walk that line in a more responsible and interesting way.”
However, those who watched Terrifier 3 may have noticed that Leon comes very close to crossing that line, in the opening scene or the supermarket scene, when the film shows the bodies of children he killed the clown Arthur.
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Interview Between Time.news Editor and Damien Leone
Time.news Editor: Welcome, Damien! It’s a pleasure to have you here. Your work on the Terrifier series has made waves in the horror community. With Terrifier 3’s surprising performance at the box office, what do you think contributed to its success despite the fierce competition from films like Joker?
Damien Leone: Thank you for having me! It’s been an incredible ride. I believe the success of Terrifier 3 stems from how deeply it resonates with horror fans. We prioritize authentic scares and a unique narrative that stands apart from other genres. While Joker might have a higher box office gross, our film had a fraction of the budget, which speaks volumes about the dedicated fanbase we’ve built.
Time.news Editor: That’s fascinating! You mentioned the dedicated fanbase. What role do you think social media and word-of-mouth play in promoting independent horror films like yours?
Damien Leone: They play a massive role, perhaps more than in any other genre. Horror fans are passionate and tend to share their experiences with each other. Social media has allowed us to build a community that actively engages with the content and spreads the word, often resulting in packed theaters for our films.
Time.news Editor: Speaking of community, there’s been a lot of discussion around the fourth installment of the Terrifier saga. How do you feel about the anticipation? Do you think you can continue to push boundaries while maintaining the essence of what makes Terrifier unique?
Damien Leone: The anticipation is both exciting and a bit daunting. I always strive to push the envelope, but I also have boundaries I won’t cross. With every film, I want to ensure that we stay grounded in a story that resonates emotionally, even amidst the gore. I came close to crossing that line in Terrifier 2, but I’m committed to keeping the essence intact.
Time.news Editor: Can you share some insight into what those boundaries look like for you?
Damien Leone: Absolutely. My goal is to create fear without exploiting real-life tragedy or trauma. I want my audience to feel exhilarated, not disturbed on a moral level. The focus has always been on entertainment – we want people to leave the theater feeling like they experienced something wild, not something that weighs heavily on their conscience.
Time.news Editor: That’s a thoughtful approach, Damien. Now, with the financial success of Terrifier 2, do you feel pressure to escalate the horror in Terrifier 3?
Damien Leone: There’s always a bit of pressure, but I see it as an opportunity to innovate rather than just increase the gore factor. We want to keep surprising the audience and enhancing the mythos around Art the Clown. The stakes will be high, but it won’t just be about the scares; it’s about crafting a narrative that captivates as well.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like you have exciting plans ahead! Before we wrap up, can you give us a sneak peek or a hint of what fans might expect from the fourth film?
Damien Leone: I can say that it will delve deeper into the lore of Art the Clown, with more backstory revealed. It’s going to be intense and will explore themes we’ve only touched on so far. Fans are in for a wild ride!
Time.news Editor: We can’t wait to see it! Thank you for sharing your insights with us today, Damien. Your approach to horror cinema is inspiring, and we look forward to what’s next in the Terrifier saga.
Damien Leone: Thank you! I appreciate the support and interest. It’s going to be a thrilling journey ahead!