From Which Origin do We Speculate about Terrifier's Art the Clown's Emergence?
Initially, renowned horror icons were ordinary humans who evolved into something more sinister. Prior to turning dreams into nightmares, Freddy Krueger was a ruthless murderer of children. Before transforming into an indomitable slasher, Jason Voorhees was just a simple camper. And even before becoming an ominous menace, Michael Myers had always been an ominous presence. Despite numerous movies, the enigmatic background of Terrifier's Villain, Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton), remains elusive, offering both excitement and confusion.
Although Art made an appearance in earlier short films, his true journey commences with the 2016 Terrifier debut. The movie introduces a secretive individual donning a clown suit and makeup, causing havoc across a small town, ultimately revealing himself as Art. Even when he seemingly meets his demise, something extraordinary transpires, and Art is miraculously resurrected.
In Terrifier 2, the enigma surrounding Art intensifies as he prowls once more, this time as a supernatural entity with a thirst for blood. Siblings Sienna (Lauren LaVera) and Jonathan Shaw (Elliott Fullam) become his primary targets, as their late father, Michael (a comic book artist), had covert connections to Art. Jews Korman/Dark Age Cinema illustrates these links through Jonathan's possession of his father's sketchbook, which contains newspaper clippings from the first film and drawings of Art, as well as depictions of his murderous acts. Michael also owned a swordsman that could both heal and vanquish Art.
Furthermore, the introduction of the "Little Pale Girl" (Amelie McLain) character, whose reality is doubtful, adds to the intrigue. She appears to be Art's ally, as they can be seen socializing. Art seems to have an unspecified impact on Victoria Heyes (Samantha Scaffidi), the lone survivor of the first film, who later snapped during her recovery process and took a life on her first day out of the hospital.
After Terrifier 2, our understanding of Art's origins becomes more convoluted than ever. We are aware that Art was once human but has since evolved into something beyond human understanding. We also know that Michael Shaw had a connection with Art's power, but the specifics remain unclear. Is it possible that Michael made a pact with the devil, leading to Art's resurrection? Is Art a manifestation of Michael's dark side? Is Art actually Michael in disguise? What role do the children and the Little Pale Girl play in the grand scheme? Sadly, we are still clueless after Terrifier 2.
In Terrifier 3, the puzzles surrounding Art's origins remain somewhat on the periphery, but new threads are pulled away. Art's resurrection is once again facilitated by Victoria, who gave birth to his head in the previous film’s conclusion. During their five-year slumber, the duo's motives and abilities remain a mystery.
Upon awakening, Art and Victoria rampage again, finally crossing paths with Sienna and Jonathan once more. As the mayhem escalates, additional details are unveiled through flashbacks, revealing a young Sienna and her father, Michael (portrayed by Jason Patric). We learn that Michael crafted a powerful superhero for Sienna, the Angel Warrior, and had visions of the older Sienna facing off with Art (as depicted in Terrifier 2). There are also suggestions of a Satanic ritual revolving around the Angel Warrior's armor.
Terrifier 3 concludes with Victoria's demise, Art's escape, and Sienna's young cousin Gabbie's (Antonella Rose) descent into hell. As you may have gathered, there's still much more beneath the surface.
In conclusion, the pieces of the puzzle are numerous, and Michael Shaw's connection to Art is the key to deciphering the mystery. However, the identity of Art, how he transformed into a supernatural entity, and why he is so intent on wreaking havoc upon Michael's kin remain unanswered questions. Your mind is free to explore and imagine how all these tweaks and turns might eventually fit together.
Recently, Terrifier creator Damien Leone teased fans with the tweet, "Fans who appreciate the fact that the Terrifier franchise does indeed have a plot will feel extremely vindicated when all is said and done." He understands that there are many curious minds out there, eager to unravel the secrets behind Art's origins. As of now, the intriguing yet confounding narrative leaves many unanswered questions, but if, after several movies, the entire story of Art and his motives is finally presented in a fresh and engaging manner, it will all have been worth the wait.
Share your thoughts on the intricate web of Art's origins below.
In the upcoming instalments of the 'Terrifier' franchise, technology is expected to play a significant role in unravelling Art's mysterious origins, as Io9, a popular technology and science news site, has shown interest in covering this intriguing narrative. The future of horror movies might be shaped by the revelations about Art, offering fans a unique blend of terror and suspense with a technological twist.
Given that Art has shown signs of supernatural abilities, movies in the future might explore the intersection of technology and the supernatural, delving into questions about the nature of Art's powers and how they can be controlled or explained from a scientific perspective, potentially offering fresh perspectives on the horror genre.
