Terrifier: The bar has risen for clown horrors

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With a gruesome key character, scary plot and effective aesthetics, Terrifier is more than just the average clown horror movie.

Looking for something over the top? Suspenseful? Gory enough to make you cringe throughout basically the entire film? If your answer is yes to all of those, then Terrifier is the movie for you.

Initially released in 2017, Terrifier finally made its way onto Netflix this month and quite honestly, puts all other clown movies to shame.

Inspired by the short film also titled Terrifier (2011), in this new edition, Art the Clown returns on Halloween night, terrorizing and brutally massacring anyone who stands in his way.

As he silently slices and dices through each of his victims, three young women must try to escape an apartment building before they get caught in Art's grasp.

While the plot line is simple and the backstory is unclear, Terrifier is an exhilarating and gut-wrenching horror film that has completely raised the bar for all other clown movies.

Originally debuted in All Hallows' Eve, Art the Clown, played by David Howard Thornton, is this whimsical yet horrifying clown that doesn't make a sound or speak a word, but is able to make you scream every time his presence is on screen.

Thornton does a phenomenal job at creating such an unstable character with “mime like” movements and a smile that not even a mother could love.

On top of having a well constructed antagonist, the film featured some horrifying scenes that utilized practical makeup effects and music perfectly.

The makeup effects were over the top, but crafted brilliantly and the music just added that much more suspense.

Some horror films overuse overthe- top gore which can quickly become lacklustre, but Terrifier placed each scene beautifully, making the film keep its momentum and terror.

Terrifier also did an incredible job at keeping me on my toes.

Everything in the film was so unexpected. Unlike other clown horror movies, this movie veered away from other clown-like clichés (balloons exploding with blood, flower pins with acid, etc.) and created its own unique brutalities that had a common theme, but were distinctly disgusting.

If you are looking for the next best horror movie, I highly recommend giving Terrifier a watch.

Even if you don't find clowns overly scary, I assure you Art the Clown may just change your mind.

Terrifier is gruesome, not for the faint of heart and has definitely set a new standard for any other clown horror movies of the future.