Why ‘Terrifier 3’ Being a Christmas Horror Movie Is the Best Thing To Happen to the Franchise

When I first looked Terrible 2 and saw the unfathomably horrid bedroom scene, I literally had to shield my eyes and look away. At the time, I thought that nothing could top that moment and that the franchise might have peaked, but one has to wonder if the new pre-Christmas twist was for the best that could have happened.

Gorehounds and the horrified masses alike were undoubtedly over the moon when it was announced Terrible 3 would be happening. And as ardent supporters of the slasher experience, let’s take to the drawing board to come up with possibilities and ideas for Damien Leone’s third. Terrible venture, it’s clear that the famed franchise already has plans in place for Art the Clown — although having Art dress up as Santa Claus is a move we didn’t see coming.

However, early trailer previews and the unveiling of the film’s official poster have hinted at that Terrible 3 indeed a Christmas inspired horror flick. So with the film set to hit theaters on October 25, 2024, we dive in and examine why a Christmas movie in the franchise is the best thing to happen.

David Howard Thornton has already played a Christmas villain

It goes without saying that actor David Howard Thornton is best known for his work as Art the Clown in the Leone era. Terrible movies. That said, Thornton is certainly no stranger to portraying horrors – with the actor playing a more evil and sinister version of the Grinch in 2022. The Middle One. Portraying a skinned animal is obviously an easy task for Thornton, so portraying Art the Clown in a Christmas version should be a piece of cake.

The genre needs more Christmas-inspired horror films

We are all familiar Black Christmas and Krampus, but the truth is, we need more Christmas-inspired movies in the horror genre. Sure, we have fun ventures because Violent Night and Gremlins, but who doesn’t want to see a twisted version of Santa Claus destroying elves and showing off some ugly swag? Because holiday horror is such a niche subgenre, we’re definitely getting the horror movie we all so desperately need.

More chance for fresh kills

Part of what makes Art the Clown such a terrifying killer is his incredible ability to make any kill look terrifying. No pun intended, of course. From rubbing salt into wounds to unapologetically killing two children in front of their babysitter, Arthur is always finding new ways to keep his kills fresh and exciting. And imagine the kind of killing he could do for Christmas. Decorate the Christmas tree with human organs instead of ornaments? Using cookie cutters to tear through the meat? I can hardly wait.

It allows the franchise to progress as a whole

One of the best aspects of keeping a franchise going is constantly reinventing and evolving as the story changes. So with the ever-popular horror franchise shifting gears to focus on a specific holiday since Halloween, it’s clear that Arthur’s holiday-themed antics and the new location could be just what the franchise needed. voting after all. Look at it this way – Jason went to space and that movie became one of the most famous movies of all time. Friday the 13th franchise. Let that sink in.