Will Art the Clown finally meet his match in Terrifier 2?
From Writer/Director Damien Leone (All Hallows’ Eve), the highly anticipated sequel to the cult-favorite slasher film welcomes David Howard Thornton back as the demonic killer, Art the Clown. Terrifier 2 also introduces Lauren LaVera as Sienna, the teen girl Art targets as fresh prey.
Ahead of Terrifier 2‘s theatrical release on October 6, LaVera spoke with Bloody Disgusting about joining a horror franchise with a devout fanbase, becoming a final girl, and that unforgettable Valkyrie costume.
LaVera had no idea about Art the Clown’s devout fanbase before taking on the role of Sienna. The actor is relieved by that and explains, “What’s funny is that I had heard of Terrifier, but I hadn’t seen it before I auditioned. Like any other job, I got it through my agent and didn’t know much about it. I started with the scene, it was just a mother-daughter scene, so I was like, ‘Oh, it’s a normal family drama,’ and that’s exactly how I approached it until it turned into a horror film. It feels like a family drama until blood and gore start being thrown at you.”
LaVera continues, “I didn’t realize how much of a following the first Terrifier had, and I’m very happy I didn’t know before accepting the part because I don’t think I would’ve if I had known just how many people loved this film. It was very daunting. But I felt supported the entire time by Dave [Thornton] and Damien. Even today, they still make me feel supported by the DMs that I get from fans, which is very daunting to me at times. I’m like, ‘Oh my God, what do I say?’ And they’re very like, ‘It’s okay. We got you. We support you.’ Even though it was daunting, I always felt protected by them.”
Sienna gets put through the emotional and physical wringer in Terrifier 2. It’s no small feat playing a Final Girl in a franchise with an exceptionally violent horror villain. LaVera elaborates on how gratifyingly exhaustive it can be to lead a Terrifier movie, especially with Covid delays.
“It’s funny; I just wrapped on a project with Bill Moseley. He plays my dad in the film, and it was another demanding role that was very emotional. We were just talking about how exhausted we were, even though it was a much shorter day than when I worked on Terrifier. Those days were extremely long, very long. We talked about how in horror, you always have to be at a 10 for everything. The stakes are high because you’re fighting for your life. The stakes are survival, so it’s so exhausting. I was initially supposed to only work for two months, and it turned into a year of filming, so it was a lot more than I expected. But I think we all believed in the project so much that we powered through the entire time. I found myself using the exhaustion, the depression, and the discomfort I was feeling for the role, and I think it helped at times just using that energy. So hopefully, that reads when people see it.”
This Final Girl was happy to do as much stunt work as allowed.
“I did do the majority of my own stunts. There were about three stunts, maybe two that I didn’t do, which I was game for doing, but Damien was like, ‘No, it’s too dangerous. If you get hurt, we’re screwed.’ I had a wonderful stunt woman who did two of those stunts, but in most of the fight scenes, of course, it was all me. Stunts are interesting because if you’re the victim, you control how you move, and the aggressor follows you. That’s the safest way to do it. When I’m being thrown into walls and stuff, that’s me throwing myself into walls, and Dave is just acting like he’s doing it. There’s safety involved, but it’s even more tiring because you’re not limp, and it’s happening to you. You’re supposed to act limp and slingshot yourself into places. It’s very tiring.”
Though the movie isn’t out yet, LaVera is already getting feedback on her character’s ultra-cool Valkyrie costume. She details how that surprised her and why the outfit isn’t nearly as cool to wear.
LaVera explains, “You know what? I wasn’t expecting the amount. I get DMs from people saying they’re going to make the costume or drag Sienna. I’m like, ‘Yes, I’ll cry for that. Please do that.’ However, I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with the costume. It wasn’t finished when we were about to start, so I was walking around duct-taped into this thing. And it’s not lined on the inside like most costumes; I got blisters on my body from wearing that thing. It was just sticking to me when I was covered in dirt and blood, and it was awful for hours. Then it would dry and cake, and it was just, ugh. But it looks cool, so that’s awesome.”
See LaVera in action when Terrifier 2 arrives uncut in theaters nationwide on October 6!
The post ‘Terrifier 2’: Meet Art the Clown’s New Adversary, Actor Lauren LaVera [Interview] appeared first on Bloody Disgusting!.