Terrifier 2 & 3 Length Defended by Director: There’s More Filler in 80-Minute Slashers

As a die-hard fan of the Terrifier series, I’ve grown to appreciate the unique storytelling and intricate details that Damien Leone brings to each film. The length of these movies might seem daunting for some, but as someone who’s spent countless hours immersed in Art the Clown’s terrifying world, I can confidently say that every second is worth it.


In contrast to typical slasher films, both “Terrifier 2” and the upcoming “Terrifier 3” are surprisingly lengthy, each surpassing the two-hour mark. Yet, series creator and director Damien Leone focuses solely on crafting the correct narrative without worrying about anything else.

What did Leone say about the length of Terrifier 2 and 3?

In conversation with ComingSoon, Leone expressed that he’s less focused on ensuring his film fits a particular running time. Although he aims to keep it below two and a half hours, he remains content with the final product of Terrifier 2.

As a dedicated fan, I’m thrilled with Terrifier 2 just as director Leone is. The film’s length, specifically 2 hours, 18 minutes, might have been a challenge for some viewers due to today’s fast-paced TikTok era. However, I don’t believe it was a misstep; rather, it reflected the story I wanted to share. That said, I wouldn’t insist on extending the runtime to appease those who found the current length daunting. Instead, my aim is to keep the film accessible while preserving its essence that makes Terrifier unique. Therefore, the runtime of 2 hours was chosen to strike this balance. It’s now approximately 2 hours and 5 minutes long.

Regarding the idea of abbreviating films, Leone stated that he occasionally encounters suggestions to remove “filler,” but counters that viewers may not grasp the thrill embedded within the expansive action scenes involving Art the Clown in the Terrifier series.

Leon mentioned that they might not fully understand or appreciate what’s causing these runtimes to increase. He explained that it’s not the parts you assume are slowing things down; instead, it’s the elaborate Art the Clown set pieces that make these films unique and contribute to their extended length. If you were to remove everything else, it would still be as long as the common “filler” found in typical slasher movies.

In most conventional slasher films, the killer appears for only a few minutes, while the rest of the movie is filled with extra scenes and drama. This is different from Terrifier 2, where Art the Clown has extended scenes where he torments his victims for several minutes, including multiple kill sequences. Unlike other slashers that focus on just one or two kills, this franchise is known for having numerous deaths. Therefore, it might seem longer than traditional slasher films, but its unusual structure can lead to unjust criticism regarding its runtime.

Terrifier 3 is now playing in theaters.

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2024-10-14 15:10