The Ending Of Terrifier 2 Explained

While the first "Terrifier" clocks in under 90 minutes and overwhelmingly focuses on delivering extremely disturbing horror sequences for the duration of its runtime, "Terrifier 2" is a heftier film at a full 2 hours and 18 minutes. And while some might have been interested in a pure slasher that lasts that long, Leone has packed this sequel full of subtler thematic exploration.

First and foremost are the themes of grief, trauma, and mental illness as Sienna, Jonathan, and Barbara are all still reeling from the death by suicide of their beloved father and husband. The movie spends time with them as they talk about their loss and the different ways that they have responded to it, and whether those coping mechanisms are healthy. But the movie is also interested in the way that the news media fixates on and often exploits real life tragedies. There's significant time spent showing different kinds of news coverage of Art's murders, and especially the attention paid to how poorly Victoria is treated by the talk show host after her interview.

Most abstractly, but perhaps most fascinatingly, "Terrifier 2" seems to be asking questions about horror movies and what we want from them. Art is constantly mugging for the camera, waving his hands, smiling, and laughing at the horrific violence he enacts, essentially inviting the audience to enjoy his cruelty with him. But the violence in the movie is so intense and so realistically rendered that it'll likely be impossible for most viewers to experience these as fun kills in a slasher.

If you or anyone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline by dialing 988 or by calling 1-800-273-TALK (8255)​.