Art the Clown may be the black-and-white bottom line behind the financial success of Damien Leone ’s “Terrifier” movies, but Sienna Shaw is his favorite character. “I think she’s one of the most multidimensional, powerful, and empowering final girls that we’ve seen ,” the filmmaker told IndieWire. “And a lot of that is because of what Lauren LaVera brings to the role — the humanity she brings to it, the strength she brings to it.
” ( Read IndieWire’s review of “Terrifier 3.” ) A traumatized 20-something fighting a killer clown for the second time , Sienna was inspired by several women in Leone’s life. The “ Terrifier 3 ” writer/director was raised by a single mom and older sisters, who stoked his passion for special effects makeup .
That childhood obsession is what made the “Terrifier” franchise into a runaway success and is partly why Leone says he can only laugh when denying claims that his movies are sexist. “I don’t think it’s a funny matter, but it’s so not me that I do find it kind of hilarious,” said Leone. “It’s also a trope that I grew up loving.
The Final Girl is such a powerful element to these movies, and I don’t think it’s as impactful if it’s a Final Man. Men are just more reprehensible in general, and you’re already used to seeing them die [in other genres].” With his second sequel (also Christmas-themed), Leone ramps up Art’s already-notorious appetite for ultraviolence, putting Sienna through her mo.