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Horror thriller

Terrifier (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Terrifier (2018) movie poster

Terrifier is a 2018 horror thriller directed by Damien Leone, starring Katie Maguire as Monica Brown, David Howard Thornton and Jenna Kanell. It runs 1 hour 22 minutes and earned $367,173 worldwide on a $35,000 budget. Critics gave it 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10.

IMDb rating
5.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes
63%
worldwide gross
$367.2K
Echo Score
64
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Terrifier (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 22m (82 min)
Director
Damien Leone
Genres
Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$35K
After the credits
Yes Extra scene during or after the credits
The story

What Is Terrifier About?

The premise of Terrifier without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A year after causing chaos last Halloween, a disturbed clown returns with a renewed desire for violence. This time, he targets three young women, stopping at nothing to satisfy his murderous impulses. He unleashes a wave of terror, demonstrating a complete disregard for anyone who stands in his path as he carries out his gruesome plan.

Terrifier Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • killer clown
  • slasher
  • clown
  • evil clown
  • brutality
  • gory violence
  • woman cut in half
  • silent villain
  • blood
  • sadistic killer
  • graphic violence
  • silent character
+38 more
  • disfigurement
  • halloween
  • beheading
  • maniac
  • halloween costume
  • selfie
  • covered in blood
  • extreme violence
  • gun
  • homicidal maniac
  • psychopathic killer
  • sadism
  • creepy clown
  • intense violence
  • cruelty
  • art the clown character
  • tied feet
  • disfigured face
  • eye gouging
  • fingers chopped off
  • stabbed in the face
  • stabbed with a scalpel
  • disembowelment
  • disembodied head
  • shot in the leg
  • shot in the face
  • shot in the head
  • shot to death
  • hammer as weapon
  • wearing human skin
  • hiding place
  • hiding from a killer
  • stabbed in the head
  • throat slit
  • rat
  • attempted suffocation with plastic bag
  • head stomp
  • crushed head
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Cast & crew

Terrifier Cast & Characters

Katie Maguire leads the cast as Monica Brown, with David Howard Thornton as Art the Clown and Jenna Kanell as Tara. Directed by Damien Leone; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Terrifier

· 7 more
From the director

More from Damien Leone

More films directed by Damien Leone, best-rated first: Terrifier 2, Terrifier 3, Frankenstein vs. The Mummy and All Hallows’ Eve.

Full filmography
Ratings

Terrifier Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Terrifier 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 5.5/10. Our Echo Score gives it 64/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in story & flow (35).

64 /100

Terrifier Echo Score Breakdown

The film offers a visceral gore showcase but is hampered by an uneven narrative. While the core villain and bloody set pieces earn frequent praise for their intensity and vivid staging, many viewers cite a thin, predictable plot and uneven pacing. Technical execution on a limited budget draws admiration for practical effects and sound design. In sum, Terrifier delivers moments of effective slasher horror yet struggles to sustain engagement across its runtime.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, Terrifier shows resourceful production design and a consistent visual identity despite its limited budget. Reviewers appreciated the discreet direction and practical effects that support the unsettling atmosphere. Editing maintains clarity during gore sequences, though occasional rough transitions reflect its indie origins. Overall, the film’s craft feels restrained yet effective.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    In terms of character and emotion, Terrifier centers on a striking antagonist whose menacing presence drew consistent praise. Acting performances beyond the killer vary from average to uneven, leading to limited emotional resonance with secondary figures. Chemistry among the leads remains minimal. Ultimately, the film relies on its central villain’s portrayal to carry its character-driven impact.

  • Story & Flow 35

    When it comes to story and flow, Terrifier offers a straightforward slasher structure that many viewers found predictable and uneven. Reviewers frequently cited a thin, generic narrative with notable mismatches in pacing, particularly toward the conclusion where momentum falters. Originality is limited by conventional tropes. Overall, the plot fails to sustain engagement beyond its gore elements.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When evaluating the sensory experience, Terrifier delivers intense practical effects and a suspenseful soundscape that reviewers praised for heightening tension. The orchestration of gore and atmospheric music received particular commendation, though some noted that over-the-top violence could overshadow genuine scares. Visual style carries an old-film aesthetic, yet SFX quality shows occasional room for refinement. Overall, senses are jolted more than soothed.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of rewatch factor, Terrifier appeals chiefly to dedicated slasher aficionados who value its cult potential and central villain’s charisma. Reviewers noted that the film’s intensity and memorable kill sequences encourage repeat viewings within genre circles. However, its narrow focus and narrative simplicity may limit broader replay value. Overall, rewatch appeal is strong for genre enthusiasts but limited otherwise.

Plot

Terrifier Plot Summary

What happens in Terrifier from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film begins with Monica [Katie Maguire] hosting a television interview with a woman identified as the lone survivor of the horrific Miles County Massacre, a tragedy that left her brutally mutilated and comatose. During the interview, Monica questions the survivor about the attack, identifying the fiend as Art the Clown [David Howard Thornton]. To the chilling revelation that she witnessed Art’s demise, fervor intensifies as the interview unfolds. Meanwhile, unbeknownst to them, Art, watching the broadcast, expresses his rage by smashing the television set. Committing to malevolence, he dons his ominous clown makeup and puts together a sinister assortment of crude weaponry, preparing for a terrifying night of carnage.

Full summary

The whole story of Terrifier, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Terrifier Box Office & Budget

Terrifier grossed $367,173 worldwide on a $35,000 budget, 10 times what it cost.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$367.2K

10× its budget

International
$367.2K
Budget
$35K
Videos

Terrifier Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 3 trailers.

Official Teaser
  • Trailer Official UK Trailer
  • Trailer Official Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Terrifier?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who is the notorious killer in the film Terrifier?

Details

Terrifier Also Known As

16 alternative titles, including “Aterrorizados” and “공포의 침입자”.

Also known as
  • Aterrorizados
  • 공포의 침입자
  • 驚死人
  • 小镇风云
  • 나이트 테러
  • Оцепеневшие от страха
  • 诡怪疑云
  • Nocne istoty
  • Rædselsslagen
  • בעתה
  • 詭怪疑雲
  • Speriați de moarte
+4 more
  • テリファイド
  • คดีผวาซ่อนเงื่อน
  • Заціпенілі від страху
  • Rémület

Seen Terrifier?

FAQ

Terrifier FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Terrifier, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Terrifier?

Terrifier runs 1 hour 22 minutes (82 minutes).

When was Terrifier released?

Terrifier was released on March 15, 2018.

Who directed Terrifier?

Terrifier was directed by Damien Leone.

More films by Damien Leone

Who is in the cast of Terrifier?

Terrifier stars Katie Maguire as Monica Brown, David Howard Thornton as Art the Clown and Jenna Kanell as Tara, among 11 credited actors.

How much did Terrifier make at the box office?

Terrifier grossed $367,173 worldwide on a budget of $35,000.

How is Terrifier rated?

Terrifier has 5.5/10 on IMDb, 63% on Rotten Tomatoes, 63% on TMDB and 3.2/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Terrifier have a post-credit scene?

Yes. Terrifier has an extra scene during or after the credits, so it is worth staying seated.

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