Damien Leone, the director of the Terrifier franchise, has made it clear that the series does not carry any political agenda. The horror series has gained a strong cult following, largely due to its visceral practical effects and the chilling appearance of Art the Clown, played by David Howard Thornton. The horror franchise began as a low-budget indie slasher in 2008 and exploded in popularity with Terrifier 2 (2022), leading to the box-office success ofTerrifier 3, which became the highest-grossing unrated film of all time in 2024.

In a statement shared on X, Leone reaffirmed that Terrifier was created purely for horror entertainment and does not intend to push any specific political ideology. The gore filmmaker has built his career on practical effects-driven slasher films, emphasizing that the cast and crew behind his “killer clown movie” encompᴀss a diverse range of political beliefs. Here’s what he had to say:

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“As most of you know, some of my cast and crew members have a very pᴀssionate political presence on social media with extreme and sometimes harsh opinions, which is their right,” Leone writes. He continued, “That being said, Terrifier is NOT in any way, shape, or form a political franchise. I did not get into filmmaking to become a politician or promote any political agendas or ideologies, especially through a killer clown movie.”

What Leone’s Statement About Terrifier Means

Separating Horror from Politics—Or Trying To

Leone’s statement appears to be a response to recent online discussions surrounding Thornton’s politically charged social media presence. Just three days before Leone’s statement, Thornton—who has portrayed Art the Clown since 2016—reaffirmed the fandom has “no place for such hateful bigotry” (via Threads). While the director did not call out any specific cast members, his statement aims to separate Terrifier as a franchise from the personal beliefs of its contributors, particularly that of the villainous face of the franchise. Thornton had some choice words for fans of the killer clown who may harbor anti-LGBTQ+ sentiments. Read below:

Responses to Leone’s statement have been mixed. Some have appreciated his efforts to keep Terrifier an inclusive space for horror lovers of all backgrounds “as long as they’re decent human beings.” Others, however, have argued that horror is inherently political. This points to the rise of more elevated horror films of recent years, like Jordan Peele’s award-winning Get Out, which used the genre to explore a violent and post-racial America. Nonetheless, politics has been in the genre as early as the classic 1978 film Dawn of The ᴅᴇᴀᴅ—a notable inspiration for Leone—which satirizes American consumerism and portrays racialized violence.

Our Take On Leone’s Terrifier Stance

Can Slasher Films Really Stay Neutral?

Leone’s statement underscores a greater evolution in the horror genre as directors like Peele, Ari Aster, and Coralie Fargeat move their violent thrills from pure entertainment into social commentary. While Terrifier leans into shock-driven, old-school slasher horror, the history of politics in horror is hard to ignore. Classic horror films, from Night of the Living ᴅᴇᴀᴅ to Candyman, have often served as reflections of societal fears and anxieties. That said, Leone’s decision to keep Terrifier politically neutral is not unprecedented.

Many horror franchises, including Friday the 13th and Halloween, prioritize a gory spectacle over messaging and ideological divides. Whether this stance helps or hinders the Terrifier franchise, in the long run, remains to be seen as Terrifier 4 looms on the horizon. For now, Art the Clown continues his reign as horror’s most nightmarish slasher—politics aside.

Source: Damien Leone/X