Explained: The Origin, Powers, and Victims of Art The Clown in the Terrifier Movies

While the Terrifier franchise initially left audiences in the dark about the enigmatic figure of Art the Clown, the upcoming Terrifier 3 seeks to unveil the character’s origins, motivations, and supernatural abilities. Slated for release in 2024, Terrifier 3 marks the first time David Howard Thornton’s Art the Clown appears on screens globally. The popularity of the series soared with Terrifier 2 (2022), which grossed over $15 million from a modest budget of just $250,000. Even the original 2016 film, Terrifier, had an even smaller investment, drawing attention to Art’s initial presentation in the 2013 horror anthology, All Hallow’s Eve.

Critics have generally responded favorably to Terrifier 3, but they caution that it upholds the franchise’s tradition of ambiguity regarding Art’s true nature and powers. Much of the character’s backstory has traditionally been uncovered through exploration of his onscreen antics, but the conclusion of Terrifier 3 adds a surprising twist.

Terrifier 3 Confirms Art the Clown Is a Demon

A Key Reference to the Ninth Circle Clarifies Art’s Evil Nature

Additional Terrifier 3 promotional image

In a significant revelation, Terrifier 3 finally confirms that Art the Clown is indeed a demon, making a meta-reference to Leone’s original short film. Following a series of gruesome killings, Art finds himself nearly vanquished when Sienna uses her magic sword to pin him against a wall. Yet, he manages to escape to a bus stop, where a lone passenger engrossed in a book titled The Ninth Circle becomes a pivotal plot point, awakening Art’s darker nature.

Key Details of the Terrifier Franchise
Movie	Release Date	Budget	Box Office Gross	RT Tomatometer Score	RT Popcornmeter Score
Terrifier	2016	$35,000-$55,000	$416,000	60%	53%
Terrifier 2	2022	$250,000	$15.7 million	86%	80%
Terrifier 3	2024	$2 million	Pending	77%	94%

Art seems to have found a way to resurrect himself, reminiscent of his surprising revival at the end of Terrifier 2. This time, he continues to spread chaos and mayhem, suggesting that his ties to demonic influence have deepened. Initial appearances indicated a shocked Art upon his resurrection after grievously injuring Vicky, while Terrifier 2 introduced the ghostly figure of the Little Pale Girl as a new menace, adding further depth to his character. The conclusion of Terrifier 3 elucidates the connection, as Vicky implies that once Sienna succumbs to despair, she too will be condemned to a similar fate.

Understanding Art the Clown’s Origin in Terrifier

Art The Clown’s Origins Remain Ambiguous

Mike Giannelli as Art the Clown in The 9th Circle

Differing from traditional slasher villains, Art the Clown lacks a defined backstory. He first graced the screen in the 2008 short film The 9th Circle, where he acts under the influence of a more formidable adversary—Satan. Initially, he abducts a woman and delivers her to the Devil, leaving his true nature ambiguous: is he human or something darker?

New insights from Terrifier 3 confirm that he represents a demonic presence. His appearances have consistently suggested supernatural capabilities, from teleportation in 2011’s Terrifier to his ability to emerge from a television in All Hallow’s Eve. Although earlier films leaned towards portraying Art as more human, the closing scenes of Terrifier 3 firmly establish his demonic essence.

Exploring Art The Clown’s Powers & Abilities

Inhuman Strength and Effective Immortality Define Art the Clown

Art's terrifying presence in Terrifier 2

In both Terrifier films, Art the Clown presents himself as somewhat human, yet Terrifier 3 escalates his supernatural prowess. Though he experiences pain and sustains temporary injuries, his ability to inflict tremendous harm—crushing skulls and dismembering victims—demonstrates his overwhelming strength. His surprising resurrection post-suicide in Terrifier hints at recurring themes of immortality, further explored by his revival in Terrifier 2.

Understanding Art The Clown’s Motives

A Relentless Pursuit of Souls for Satan

Art the Clown’s actions appear rooted in a chilling purpose: to collect souls for the Devil. The character’s origins in The Ninth Circle hint at this goal, transforming his murders in subsequent films into less direct means of soul collection. Victims like Vicky and Sienna are stripped of hope, making them potential vessels for demonic forces. This theme resurfaces dramatically when Vicky’s corpse melts in the finale of Terrifier 3, exposing a portal to Hell.

Despite the implication of Art’s collection process, there’s ambiguity in his excessive killings, raising questions about his ultimate strategy. Do his repeated killings serve a purpose beyond fulfilling his soul-collecting goal? It seems the chaos and despair he spreads leave survivors particularly susceptible to possession.

Art The Clown’s Notable Victims

Key Fatalities Include Tara, Dawn, and Others

The cycle of brutality continues in Terrifier 2, where Art revives, thanks to his former victim Victoria, culminating in a shocking twist. Art’s killing spree expands notably in this sequel, claiming at least nine lives directly, alongside incidental victims like café goers caught in Sienna’s horrifying dreams. Each sequel ups the ante, with Terrifier 3 promising even more gruesome encounters, including a tragic family massacre set against a Christmas backdrop.

Art’s methodology seems to favor psychological torment, as demonstrated through drawn-out killings that linger on the screen, including the shocking demise of characters such as Allie and Brooke in Terrifier 2. Their deaths elevate Art to a status of a horror icon, given his unique method of deriving satisfaction from their suffering, further hinting at his malevolent nature.

The Actor Behind Art the Clown

David Howard Thornton: The Face of Terrifier

In the initial short films, Art the Clown was portrayed by Mike Giannelli. However, David Howard Thornton has fully embraced the character in the feature films. Before taking on Art, Thornton predominantly worked as a voice actor—his mime background significantly influenced his portrayal of this horrifying character. He also appeared in the slasher film The Mean One, offering a sinister take on a holiday classic.

Notably, Terrifier 3 made a remarkable impact, grossing over $18 million on its opening weekend alone. Thornton has further expanded his role in horror, also appearing in Pete Davidson’s series Bupkis and set to take on a twisted version of Steamboat Willie in the upcoming slasher Screamboat. His portrayal of Art the Clown has cemented his fame within the horror genre, which he continues to exploit, including in the 2024 music video “A Work of Art”by Ice Nine Kills.

The True Source of Art’s Terrifying Presence

Art’s Disturbing Perspective on Violence

Art the Clown stands among the most brutal villains in horror cinema. His infamous methods of killing are not just notorious for their violence, but also for the disturbing joy he derives from inflicting pain. This unique combination of brutality and wicked pleasure illustrates a chilling disregard for human life, solidifying Art’s status as a horror icon. Terrifier 3 further emphasizes that his villainy is not merely about power; it’s about the sheer enjoyment he gains from terrorizing his victims.

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