ATerrifier 3cameo contains the deepest of deep cut references involving a cult horror franchise.TheTerrifiermoviesplay like gorier, nastier versions of 1980s horror sagas likeFriday The 13th, with their selling being that they push the envelopewayfurther than ever before. This has given the series a distinct identity, and Art the Clown (David Howard Thornton) is now a horror icon on par with Michael Myers or Freddy Krueger. While the third film isn’t overloaded with horror easter eggs, the ones it features are easy to spot.
The already infamous shower scene is a nod toward bothPsychoandScarfaceand displays the bloody carnage the latter only hinted at. The most obvious reference comesinTerrifier 3’scontroversial opening scene, where Art uses an ax to cut into a door and then sticks his head through the hole like Jack Nicholson inThe Shining. The most subtle easter egg comes when Art attacks and kills a Santa impersonator (Daniel Roebuck) and his friends, which features a big shoutout to theSilent Night, Deadly Nightseries.
Why Art Stares At Mia For So Long In The Shower In Terrifier 3
Art the Clown outdid him with the way he killed Mia in Terrifier 3, and the look he gave her makes this death scene more horrifying.
Clint Howard’s Terrifier 3 Cameo Homages His Silent Night, Deadly Night Sequels
Fans of Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation ate well with Terrifier 3
Actor Clint Howard is a very familiar face to genre fans, having appeared in everything fromIce Cream Manto Rob Zombie’sHalloween. InTerrifier 3,Howard plays Smokey, a barfly and friend of Roebuck’s ill-fated Santa. While Smokey still dies, a gunshot to the head feels downright merciful compared to the fate that later befalls Santa.Howard’s cameo is a nod to his roles in bothSilent Night, Deadly Night 4: InitiationandSilent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker, which is an obscure reference even by the standards of most horror fans.
TheSilent Night, Deadly Nightseries became infamous for featuring an ax-wielding killer dressed as jolly old Father Christmas.Art the Clown dressing as Santa is an obvious visual homage to the cult series, but complicating matters is that while Howard was the villain ofInitiation, he never actually dressed as Santa Claus. He did, however, dress as Saint Nick in the fifth entry - even though his role is a brief cameo.
Terrifier 3 director Damien Leone is a major horror fan, so the Clint Howard cameo was a clear tip of the hat to theSilent Night, Deadly Nightsaga.
Terrifier 3director Damien Leone is a major horror fan, so the Howard cameo was a clear tip of the hat to theSilent Night, Deadly Nightsaga. That series may never have reached mainstream acceptance but they’re a truly bizarre collection of seasonal slashers, withInitiationeasily being one of the weirdest.
Terrifier 3 May Replace Silent Night, Deadly Night As The Definitive Christmas Slasher
Terrifier 3 is perfect holiday entertainment for those who hate the holidays
Even though the film is quite flawed,Silent Night, Deadly Night’skiller Santa Claus is an image that’s hard to shake. That’s why, alongside the originalBlack Christmas, it’s become the defacto Christmas slasher. WithTerrifier 2taking place during Halloween, the third film moving the carnage to Christmas only made sense.Seeing Art dressed as Santa and doing his thing with axes, chainsaws and liquid nitrogen certainly makes an impressionon viewers, particularly as it’s contrasted against such a jolly time of the year.
Clint Howard is the brother of famed director Ron Howard and has appeared in many of his films, includingApollo 13andSolo: A Star Wars Story.
Terrifier 3’sbox-office successproves that Art the Clown has infiltrated pop culture in a big way, so it wouldn’t be a shock if the threequel becomes required viewing for horror fans every Christmas. It positively revels in the imagery of the season, and it’s a perfect, feel-bad antidote for those who hate the holidays. Plus,Terrifier 3is just a better horror flick thanSilent Night, Deadly Night, so maybe it should snatch its crown (or Santa hat) astheChristmas slasher.
Terrifier 3
Cast
Terrifier 3 follows Sienna and her brother as they attempt to move past the traumatic events of Art the Clown’s Halloween massacre. As they embrace the Christmas season, Art reemerges, intent on turning their holiday into a nightmare, continuing his reign of terror.
Silent Night Deadly Night 4: Initiation
Silent Night, Deadly Night 4: Initiation centers on a reporter who delves into the mysterious death of a woman who leapt from a burning building. Her investigation uncovers a cult of witches, entangling her in their sacrificial rituals during the Christmas season. Released on June 21, 2025.
Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker
Silent Night, Deadly Night 5: The Toy Maker follows a young boy who becomes entangled in a sinister mystery involving a toy maker whose creations possess lethal qualities. Released in 1991, the film explores the dark intersection of childhood innocence and malevolence lurking within seemingly harmless playthings.
