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Entertainment • Film

Terrifier

Terrifier is a 2016 American independent slasher film written, directed, edited, and co-produced by Damien Leone.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Terrifier is a 2016 American independent slasher film written, directed, edited, and co-produced by Damien Leone. It stars Jenna Kanell, Samantha Scaffidi, Catherine Corcoran, and David Howard Thornton, and follows two sisters who are targeted by the killer Art the Clown on Halloween night.

Plot

The film follows Tara Heyes and Victoria Heyes as they are stalked by Art the Clown during Halloween night. The story is set largely around their attempts to survive his attacks.

Production and release

Terrifier was created by Damien Leone as an independent horror film. It premiered at the Telluride Horror Show on October 15, 2016, and later received a limited theatrical release in the United States on March 15, 2018.

Cast and characters

The main cast includes Jenna Kanell, Samantha Scaffidi, Catherine Corcoran, and David Howard Thornton. Thornton portrays Art the Clown, the film’s central antagonist.

Franchise impact

Terrifier became the first feature in the Terrifier franchise. The series later expanded into additional films and other media centered on Art the Clown.

Key facts

  • Terrifier premiered at the Telluride Horror Show on October 15, 2016.
  • It received a limited theatrical release in the United States on March 15, 2018.
  • The film centers on Art the Clown, a silent serial killer who targets Tara Heyes and her sister Victoria on Halloween night.
  • Art the Clown had appeared in earlier Damien Leone projects before Terrifier.
  • The movie is part of the Terrifier franchise and was followed by sequels.
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Canadian context

Terrifier is of interest to Canadian horror audiences as part of the wider North American independent horror market, but the film has no strong Canada-specific subject connection in the provided sources.

Frequently asked questions

What is Terrifier?
Terrifier is a 2016 American independent slasher film about Art the Clown terrorizing two sisters on Halloween night.
Who directed Terrifier?
Damien Leone directed Terrifier and also wrote, edited, and co-produced it.
Who plays Art the Clown?
David Howard Thornton portrays Art the Clown in Terrifier.
When was Terrifier first shown?
It premiered at the Telluride Horror Show on October 15, 2016.
When was it released in theaters?
Terrifier received a limited theatrical release in the United States on March 15, 2018.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrifier
    Supports: Basic film identification, credits, cast, plot premise, premiere date, and limited U.S. theatrical release.
  2. Wikipedia (French)https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrifier_(film)
    Supports: French-language confirmation of 2016 release, slasher/horror genre, and Halloween-night premise.
  3. Rotten Tomatoeshttps://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/terrifier
    Supports: Runtime, theatrical release date, and genre classification.
  4. IMDbhttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt4281724/
    Supports: Plot synopsis identifying Art the Clown as the antagonist and the Halloween setting.
  5. Wikiwand / Wikipedia-derivedhttps://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Terrifier_(film_series)
    Supports: Franchise context and later series expansion.