Samuel LoveDamien Leone’s Terrifier franchise has always felt like a throwback, harkening back to a bygone era of video nasties and sleazy slashers. Whether you love or hate Art the Clown, there’s no denying Leone’s distinctive vision and the sheer amount of passion he puts into the films through the practical effects and sheer love of the horror genre that is felt in every frame. With the franchise being such a throwback, it’s unsurprising that the 2nd film has now got its own pulpy paperback novelization from Titan Books.
While this goes without saying for cinema, the Terrifier films in particular are an incredibly visual experience, through both the violence and the expressively disturbing Art the Clown. This book, written by Tim Waggoner – no stranger to the art of novelization, having penned similar paperbacks of Halloween Kills and X – brings Terrifier to life on the page with vivid descriptions of the series’ trademark gore. Fans of the series will also be delighted by the expansions to Terrifier 2 found within these pages. There are several extra kills, and even some of the kills we’re familiar with are taken to new extremes. It is all horrendously macabre, much like Leone’s now-trilogy of films has become known for.
The novelization also allows more time – as if Terrifier 2’s infamous 138minute runtime wasn’t enough(!) – for character development and a focus on the thoughts of our characters, be it Sienna and Jonathan or any of Art’s unlucky victims. The inner-monologuing lets us get closer to the carnage than before, and offers a fascinating further insight into the film.
It’s worth noting that while this novelization is absolutely official, Waggoner recently said in an interview; “nothing I added should be considered canon as far as the films go, however. The only things that are truly canon are what Damien Leone puts on the screen.” One of the most substantial new moments, though, comes in the brutal climax as we are given a greater understanding of the supernatural elements at play, especially in terms of Sienna’s significance as Art the Clown’s adversary. As I’ve felt this has been something that hasn’t been particularly well-explained in the films, it’s a welcome addition.
With Terrifier 3 now in cinemas, the Terrifier 2 novelization gives fans a chance to delve deeper into the story to prepare themselves for Art’s festive slaughter. At this point, you know exactly what you’re getting with Terrifier and this novelization is certainly aimed at existing fans, so I can’t imagine it’s going to have the same effect as some of the more notorious screenings have had on unsuspecting audiences!
This is a well-written novelization that packs in some really interesting extra details and some gnarly new kills, so fans will eat well.
Suggested extra reading is this brilliant interview with author Tim Waggoner over at Bloody Flicks.
TERRIFIER 2: THE OFFICIAL MOVIE NOVELIZATION by Tim Waggoner is available now from Titan Books
