As the Art made his debut in The 9th Circle, a short by director Damian Leone. Despite only appearing for two minutes, the eerie character made a real impression. Art returned with 2013 anthology All Hallow's Eve, before earning his own solo outing with 2016's Terrifier. While the film was an indie hit, its 2022 sequel Terrifier 2 not only eclipsed it financially but made Art himself something of a star.

Terrifier 2 sees Art being resurrected by a demonic being, and once again going on a blood-soaked rampage. What's interesting to note about Art's appearances in All Hallow's Eve and The 9th Circle is that he definitely appears to be a supernatural creature. He's seen with glowing eyes in the short and in All Hallow's Eve - where Art missed the sequel - he appears to be able to teleport great distances. However, he's portrayed in a more grounded fashion in Terrifier, leading to confusion about whether he's human.

Art The Clown Begins The Terrifier Franchise As A Human

Art's Supernatural Elements Come Later

Terrifier keeps the origins of Art ambiguous, but there's a strong suggestion he's human for most of the story. In an interview with Horror Facts, Art's performer David Howard Thornton stated:

"I would say he might have been human for a while but there’s definitely been some kind of transition with him where he’s become something other than human."

He also specifically cites how Art's death via gunshot to the head in Terrifier seemingly marked his full turn to the supernatural, as he becomes near impossible to kill in the sequel.

Most of the injuries Art sustains in Terrifier - including a nasty eye-gouging - are survivable for a normal person. When he's on the verge of being beaten by one of his victims, he resorts to using a gun, though he's visibly irritated at having to do so. Leone left many questions unanswered by the end of the second movie, and while Terrifier 3 offers new information, there is still a lot unclear about Art the Clown. However, it is clear his resurrection in the finale marked what Thornton dubbed his demonic "transition."

Art The Clown Being Human Makes Him Even Scarier

Art's Unexplained Brutality Is Chilling When He's Just A Man

Most icons of the horror genre, like Freddy Kruger or Jason Voorhees. tend to have some kind of supernatural power, allowing them to return for endless sequels. Art being human in Terrifier would actually make the events of the film more terrifying. The carnage he causes - including flayings and eating a victim's face - underlines just how disturbed he truly is. This would mean he was also working through the agony of his own injuries to chase after victims, again highlighting his commitment to inflicting pain and terror.

No matter how over-the-top he might be as a villain in the first movie, the idea that he is just a man deciding to commit these horrific crimes adds to the unsettling nature.

There is also the chilling implication, as with all human horror movie killers, that there is someone in the world who is driven to be as brutal and cold-blooded as Art the Clown. No matter how over-the-top he might be as a villain in the first movie, the idea that he is just a man deciding to commit these horrific crimes adds to the unsettling nature.

Where Art The Clown Ranks Among Human Killers In Horror Movies

Some Of The Best Horror Movie Villains Are Mere Mortals

Though he is relatively new to the horror genre, and despite his first two appearances being rather small in scale, it is impressive how much Art the Clown has solidified his place in the horror genre. He especially stands out in the collection of human killers in horror movies, proving to be more sadistic and vicious than even some of the most iconic villains of the genre. However, there are some legends of the genre he has yet to top this early in his career.

Notable Human Horror Movie Killers:

The Scream franchise has taken a unique approach to having a human killer. The genre-bending movies added an element of whodunnit into the slasher genre, as it was unclear which of the characters was the killer, and there were even multiple killers most of the time. It is also unique that each Scream sequel introduced a new killer rather than having one remain throughout. However, Ghostface was able to become a symbol rather than just a killer.

Hannibal Lecter is another horror movie killer who is made more chilling due to his humanity. He is intelligent and even charming, but he has an animalistic quality that can be unleashed without warning. It is an intriguing look at the two sides of humanity in one man -- the sophisticated being capable of advanced thought and the mindless killer with no remorse.

In of human killers in horror movies, Michael Myers from the Halloween movies is likely the most iconic. While some aspects of the franchise has included supernatural elements, those have been retconned in future movies, leaving him as just a man in a mask. However, while Art the Clown in The Terrifier is memorable for being an over-the-top human killer, Michael Myers is so effective because of how inhuman he is. With his emotionless mask, his lack of dialogue, and his relentless pursuit of his victims, he comes off as something driven to kill without reason.