‘Terrifier 3’ star laughs at the world’s smallest angry mob for decrying the ‘Satanic Santa’ movie

Terrifier 3 has made waves at the box office, even outperforming Joker: Folie à Deux, but not without sparking some divisive conversations. David Howard Thornton, who portrays the iconic killer clown Art, has embraced the controversy, humorously responding to a small protest outside a Kansas City theater. A group, seemingly from a Christian organization, showed up to protest the film, holding signs like “Keep Christ in Christmas! We protest the satanic Santa Terrifier 3 movie showing here.” Thornton quipped, “Lol. We’re doing something right!”

This protest highlights the recurring pattern of backlash that horror films often face, particularly when they incorporate religious imagery or themes. While discussions about Terrifier often touch on the portrayal of female characters, this specific protest seems to stem from a minority of vocal activists who feel protective of their beliefs. However, it raises the question of whether the protestors are targeting the right audience, as those drawn to a gruesome horror film like Terrifier 3 are unlikely to be swayed by such demonstrations.

Interestingly, Terrifier 3 is set during Christmas, adding to its unique and provocative nature, especially for a franchise known for its extreme gore and horror. The film follows siblings Sienna and her brother as they navigate life after surviving a horrific Halloween, all while Art the Clown has his own dark plans for the holiday season. Critics have described it as “thoroughly vicious” and “unreservedly disgusting,” earning a four-star review for its shocking content.

The franchise isn’t stopping with the third installment, as director Damien Leone has confirmed plans for Terrifier 4. Although there’s no release date yet, he has shared that he has already brainstormed key elements of the storyline and knows how the film will end. Initially stating that the fourth film would be the finale, Leone has since suggested he may reconsider depending on how much story remains after its release.

As Terrifier 3 continues to draw attention—both for its unsettling content and the reactions it provokes—it seems the franchise is poised to leave a lasting mark in the horror genre, for better or worse.