Lauren LaVera’s Sienna was a fantastic addition to the previous entry so I’m happy to seeTerrifier 3is abandoning an old horror trope by bringing her back. Like many horror fans, I grew up on franchises likeHalloweenorA Nightmare on Elm Street. With pretty much any long-running horror series, the focus inevitably switches to the killer, with Freddy Krueger or Michael Myers becoming the “heroes” instead of their supposed protagonists. This also means that their original final girls - such asNightmare’sNancy (Heather Langenkamp) - tended to get killed off to make way for new characters.
There are behind-the-scenes reasons for this too, such as actors not wanting to return or aging out of a role, but it’s almost always a disappointment. I thinkone of the most memorable final girls of recent years isTerrifier 2’sSienna, a teenager seemingly fated to be Art the Clown’s nemesis. From her distinctive Valkyrie Halloween costume to LaVera’s likable performance, Sienna was a big improvement on the somewhat underdeveloped heroines ofthe originalTerrifiermovie.
Sienna and Art are in for a bloody Christmas battle
I’m also happy to see that instead of killing Sienna off in the first ten minutes or bringing in a new protagonist,Terrifier 3appears to be making VaVera’s heroine a major part of the story.
The first two movies are an acquired taste due to their extreme gore, though the shock success ofTerrifier 2proves there’s an audience for a horror film that pushes the envelope a little further. I’m loving the look ofthe upcomingTerrifier 3so far, where Art wreaks bloody vengeance during Christmas. I’m also happy to see that instead of killing Sienna off in the first ten minutes or bringing in a new protagonist,Terrifier 3appears to be making VaVera’s heroine a major part of the story.
Director Damien Leone claims to have created Sienna in response to complaints the first film lacked strong characters, and he wanted to craft a hero who was the total opposite of Art. Not only is Sienna returning, butI can see from the trailer it will actually be addressing her trauma from their previous encounter too. It might be fun to have anotherTerriferwhere Art is just running around causing bloody mayhem, but Sienna brings a welcome human element to the saga.
Art made his debut in Damien Leone’sThe 9th Circleshort in 2008, which later became part of the horror anthologyAll Hallows' Eve.
Lauren Lavera’s Terrifier 3 Return Can Solidify Sienna As A Great Modern Final Girl
I also hope the next Terrifier avoids one key final girl mistake
Bringing Sienna back forTerrifier 3was the right call, but I think the big challenge for the threequel will be solidifying her place among the best modern final girls. The last decade has seen some great newcomers like Samara Weaving’s Grace fromReady or Notand Maika Monroe’s Jay fromIt Follows, and Sienna deserves a place on that list too.AssumingTerrifier 3is as successful as the second outing, the fanbase for Sienna will likely grow even biggertoo.
Why Terrifier 2’s Bedroom Scene Is So Controversial
The controversial scene has made many viewers feel queasy and even faint. It is certainly the most gruesome Art the Clown moment from Terrifier 2.
One trope I hopeTerrifier 3will avoid is killing Sienna off to set up her replacement in a potential sequel. I remember the abrupt demise of Jenna Kanell’s Tara in the first film, who was seemingly the protagonist until Art shot her dead around the midway point. There are also films likeA Nightmare on Elm Street 3, where Nancy Thompson is a major figure until her shock death in the finale.Terrifier 3should definitely take risks with the property, but I can’t be the only one to think killing Sienna would be a terrible move.
Terrifier 3
Cast
Terrifier 3 follows Sienna and her brother as they attempt to move past the traumatic events of Art the Clown’s Halloween massacre. As they embrace the Christmas season, Art reemerges, intent on turning their holiday into a nightmare, continuing his reign of terror.
