The horror film, released today, raises eyebrows with its extreme content, leading to a stringent classification by French authorities.
France’s film classification body has issued a rare -18 ban on Terrifier 3, making it the first horror film to receive such a restrictive rating since Saw III in 2006. Released in cinemas today, the film is stirring significant controversy, particularly for a country known for its relatively lenient approach to horror movie classifications.
The Terrifier franchise, created by Damien Leone, follows the gruesome antics of Art the Clown, a demonic serial killer wreaking havoc during Halloween and now, in this latest instalment, Christmas. The first two films garnered a substantial following, with Terrifier 2 raking in over $15 million worldwide against a mere budget of $250,000. However, critics have often dismissed these films as mindless gorefests rather than meaningful cinematic experiences.
This ban is particularly notable given the French classification system, which typically employs fewer age categories compared to other countries like the UK. France usually offers classifications such as 12 and 16, indicating that content must reach a significant threshold of intensity to warrant an 18 rating. Films like Titane, which won the Palme d’Or, are among the few recent examples to receive such a high rating.
The classification committee’s decision reflects the extreme violence depicted in Terrifier 3, prompting a joint statement from its French distributors, Factoris Films, Shadowz Films, and ESC Editions. They expressed disappointment over the ruling, stating, “We can only deplore this unexpected final decision, which will severely hamper the release of the film, eagerly awaited by tens of thousands of French viewers.”
In their defence, the distributors described the film’s violence as “grand-guignolistic and unrealistic,” asserting that audiences possess the necessary maturity to interpret its artistic intent. They stressed their commitment to championing “free, creative and radical genre cinema,” noting that four of their recent releases, including Terrifier 2, had only been restricted to viewers under 16 without incident.
Despite their efforts to frame the film’s violence as artistic, Terrifier 3 has been met with mixed reactions, including reports of audience members fainting or feeling unwell during screenings. These sensational anecdotes often fuel interest, echoing similar buzz surrounding other extreme films released in France, including Titane. Yet, distributors acknowledge that such ratings can significantly impact box office performance, even as they may paradoxically heighten public curiosity.
The decision to impose an -18 rating is particularly surprising coming from France, a country that has birthed numerous transgressive horror films and movements, including the New French Extremity, which is celebrated for its audacious content. Films such as Sheitan, Martyrs, and Inside have pushed boundaries, suggesting that the French are typically unflinching in their acceptance of graphic cinema. The imposition of such a ban on Terrifier 3 raises questions about what specific content crossed the line this time—perhaps it’s the juxtaposition of Christmas cheer with visceral horror that has provoked such a response.
As the film continues to be screened across France, audiences will undoubtedly engage in discussions about its violent themes and the implications of censorship in the horror genre. For now, fans under 18 will have to seek their thrills elsewhere, while the adult audience remains eager to delve into the chilling world of Art the Clown.
