Amazing Behind-the-Scenes Video of Terrifier Showcasing Art the Clown’s Transformation

Terrifier 3 has achieved remarkable worldwide success, topping the US box office by grossing an impressive $18.3 million during its opening weekend.

This tremendous feat is particularly noteworthy given that it outperformed major releases like Joker 2, which had an estimated production budget of $200 million, while Damien Leone’s horror sequel was created with a mere budget of around $2 million.

One of the key attractions for audiences is the film’s imaginative and inventive kills, with Terrifier 3 featuring memorable moments such as the Vicky glass scene and a sequence reminiscent of American Psycho.

However, a primary draw for viewers is undeniably Art the Clown, the chilling antagonist who has captured fans’ hearts. David Howard Thornton delivers a captivating performance that relies solely on physical expression and skilled miming, completely devoid of dialogue.

The character’s design, conceived by Leone, is truly a masterpiece, with his eerie white mask and darkened features making Pennywise appear almost friendly in comparison.

David Howard Thornton’s transformation into Art The Clown 🎥: GalaxyCon pic.twitter.com/TI1YtpU289

— 𝗥𝗜𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗗𝗢🩸🎬 (@HorrorXArt) October 14, 2024

As viewers can witness, the transformation begins with gluing the mask in place, which already features sharply defined cheekbones, a hooked nose, and prominent eyebrows.

The makeup artist then applies dark eye makeup and contours the mouth, followed by dressing Thornton in his signature outfit, complete with a tiny top hat. The final touch involves adding those creepy teeth that enhance the character’s terrifying allure.

Fans of the franchise have taken to social media to commend both the production team and Thornton, with one commenter noting, “His facial expressions are top notch.”

Another fan exclaimed, “That smile is insane,” while a third suggested, “David Howard should be the new Freddy.” A fourth comment declared, “So iconic.”

Reports indicate that the entire makeup process spans three to four hours, which is why, during the filming of one particularly graphic scene in Terrifier 3, Thornton almost lost his composure and began to vomit, prompting his makeup artist to intervene.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he described the incident, “I couldn’t bring in my stand-in because my face was prominently featured the entire time, and I thought, ‘Oh, no, no, no.’”

He elaborated, “The scene revolves around something that genuinely unsettles me, and it always makes me feel queasy. I suspect Damien intentionally incorporated that element into one kill scene to test my limits, and he succeeded. (Laughs.)”

“I nearly went overboard, but I held myself back because I didn’t want to ruin my makeup,” Thornton explained. “My makeup artist took hours to perfect it, and there she was saying, ‘Don’t you dare, David! Don’t you dare.’”

For those who haven’t yet watched the film, we’ll refrain from revealing any further details.

Art the Clown in Terrifier 3 — Signature Entertainment

A true horror icon

While Art the Clown has become a beloved figure among fans, Sienna actress Lauren LaVera described her initial encounter with Thornton in full makeup as quite startling—largely due to the way he chose to make his grand entrance.

“I was chatting with the hair and makeup team when I suddenly turned and jumped. It was such a surprise! He was just chuckling like a little rascal. (Laughs.) It made for a memorable welcome to the franchise.”

Terrifier 3 is currently showing in theaters. If you’ve already watched it, check out our analysis of the film’s ending.

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