Extreme Horror: 14 Movies Like Terrifier

About Terrifier

Terrifier stormed the horror world in 2016. It has a sadistic sense of humor, over-the-top practical effects, a love for grindhouse horror, and a standout performance from David Howard Thornton as Art the Clown. All of this together made for something of an underground sensation. Consequently, Art the Clown would return in 2022 thanks to a successful crowdfunding campaign.

If you’re like many, and “Terrifier 2” Left you wanting more, have no fear! We have assembled a list of twelve more disgusting extreme slasher movies that will surely make for an awkward movie night with the family.

Warning: Like Terrifier and Terrifier 2, many of the films below are pretty gnarly and may be triggering for some people. Some of them feature extreme violence and gore. Additionally, much extreme horror centers around disturbing themes, SA content, and other vile, disgusting shit.

Generally speaking, these recommendations start off easy and worsen as you go down the list. That said, please use discretion and do your homework before jumping into any of the films on this list.

Seriously. This is not hyperbole. Some of these films will challenge your faith in humanity.

14 Extreme Horror films for fans of Terrifier and Terrifier 2

“Behind the Mask: The Rise of Leslie Vernon” (2006):

Behind the mask is an ultra-violent meta-slasher filmed in a found-footage mockumentary style. It follows the titular Leslie Vernon, a budding serial killer preparing to become an iconic slasher villain. Like Terrifier 2, it is chock full of gore and pitch-black humor. By and large, “Behind the Mask” delivers as both a slasher film and a comedy.

 

“Hatchet” (2006):

Adam Green’s (“Frozen”- no, not that one) “Hatchet,” is probably the most well-known film series on the list. This film tells the story of Victor Crowley (Kane Hodder), a mangled madman who kills anyone who enters his swamp. The kills and special effects are over-the-top, and the film never takes itself too seriously. In short, this is a blood-soaked and unapologetic ode to old-school slashers

 

“The Loved Ones” (2009):

“Misery” meets “Hostel” in Sean Byrne’s (The Devil’s Candy) “The Loved Ones.” The movie tells the story of Lola, a disturbed teenager, who kidnaps her classmate Brent after he declines her prom invitation. Lola tortures Brent, as secrets about her deranged family are revealed. This coming-of-age gore-fest explores obsession and revenge. Overall it does so in a gory, over-the-top, and occasionally darkly humorous way.

The Mutilator (1984):

A gory blend of camp and graphic violence, “The Mutilator” (Buddy Cooper & John Douglass) tells the story of a group of college students vacationing at a beach condo targeted by a vengeful killer with a traumatic past. As the killer picks them off one by one, we learn that the gruesome (and inventive) methods link back to a childhood accident. This is a must-watch for fans of old-school slashers, similar to the nostalgic horror in Terrifier 2.

Evil Dead Trap (1988)

Take traditional Japanese horror, Italian Giallo, and American slasher tropes, add a dash of Frank Hennenlotter, throw it in David Lynch’s blender, and you end up with something like Toshiharu Ikeda’s Evil Dead Trap. This is a nasty little flick with one of the strangest twists in horror history. If you’re in the Venn diagram of “people who like Terrifier” and “people who like Malignant,” this one is for you.

“The New York Ripper” (1982):

Lucio Fulci is your favorite horror director’s favorite horror director, and New York Ripper is one of his most controversial works due to the mixture of extreme gore and eroticism. Set in the sleazy streets of 1980s New York City, a sadistic, duck-voiced killer stalks women and taunts the authorities. “The New York Ripper” is a brutally violent and nihilistic slasher that would influence decades of slasher cinema.

“Opera” (1987):

There is an undeniable relationship between early Giallo films and the American slashers of the 1980s. For instance, Dario Argento’s Opera, much like Fulci’s New York Ripper before it, represents a nearly perfect marriage of the two. Seamlessly blending a Giallo film with the frantic energy of a modern slasher, Opera immerses you in a world of grand guignol opera and gruesome murders. As a result, it stands out with excellent visuals, splendid kills, and a killer soundtrack. Even if you don’t care for Argento’s more experimental works, every slasher fan should experience Opera at least once

Baby Blood

Alain Robak’s 1990 film Baby Blood, AKA The Evil Within, tells the story of Yanka, a circus performer infected by an ancient demon who must consume human blood to keep it alive until she can give birth. This is a great little low-budget French splatter flick that predates the New French Extreme movement by several years. It’s a funny, gory little hidden gem that is sure to be appreciated by fans of splatter and extreme horror. Read our full review of Baby Blood

 

Maniac 1980 & Maniac (2012)

William Lustig’s Maniac” (1980) is one of the classics of extreme horror. It tells the story of Frank Zito (played by Joe Spinell), a disturbed loner with mommy issues and a blood lust.

What sets this film apart is its focus on the killer as the central character, with little exposition about the victims. Instead, the narrative delves deep into Zito’s psyche, making the audience confront the horrifying reality of his actions. The film succeeds in creating an unsettling atmosphere that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

In Franck Khalfoun’s 2012 remake, he manages to capture much of the sleazy, disturbing feel of the original and gives us more insight into Frank Zito’s twisted perspective. In that, We spend much of the film viewing the events in the first-person perspective of Zito (ala the classic Michael POV from Halloween), forcing us to witness the brutal acts through his eyes.

The chilling use of this technique creates an unsettling and voyeuristic experience, making us feel like unwilling accomplices to the violence. Khalfoun’s “Maniac” is a powerful and disturbing film that will stick with you long after it’s over.

 

“Dream Home”

Pang Ho-cheung’s ‘Dream Home’ is like an ‘American Psycho’ for homebuyers. We follow Cheng Lai Sheung’s (Josie Ho) relentless quest for the perfect home. Along the way, we see the horrifying consequences that unfold when her dreams are shattered. Gory, over-the-top kills galore, and a killer who may be a little relatable for anyone trying to buy a home in the post-Covid economy. In short, this Hong Kong slasher will take you on a twisted journey of obsession and violence.
Read our full review of Dream Home

 

“Laid to Rest” / “ChromeSkull: Laid to Rest 2” (2011):

Robert Hall’s Laid to Rest and Chromeskull are brutal, nihilistic, over-the-top slashers. They follow a serial killer known as ChromeSkull, who uses a camera to document his heinous acts and a chrome-plated skull mask to hide his identity. While this pair of slashers may be light on story and character development, it’s heavy on practical effects and gore.

“Crossbearer” (2012):

Indie slasher “Crossbearer” (Adam Ahlbrandt) follows a group of strippers who become the targets of a religious zealot wielding a hammer after a drug deal goes wrong. As they fight for survival, they confront the wrath of a killer convinced he’s executing God’s will. It’s as gory and sleazy as it sounds, and it’s well worth a watch for fans of extreme slasher films.

 

“Pieces of Talent” (2014):

“Pieces of Talent” (Joe Stauffer) is an indie slasher that follows Charlotte, an aspiring actress. Charlotte befriends a filmmaker named David. Their bond grows along the way, and she soon discovers his dark obsession with filming real-life murders as art. This is a low-budget slasher that is creepy and surreal at the same time. While it sticks to many familiar tropes, it manages a unique feel and aesthetic.

 

“The Untold Story” AKA “Bun Man”

This Category III Hong Kong classic from legendary Hong Kong exploitation director Herman Yau is a must-see for any fan of extreme horror. Based loosely on a true story, it tells the story of Wong Chi Hang, played by Anthony Wong (The Killer, Ebola Syndrome), a man with a mysterious past who runs The Eight Immortals Restaurant. Soon after, body parts start to wash ashore, which sparks a police investigation. Eventually, this investigation leads police to the Eight Immortals. As the police question Wong, we learn what happened at The Eight Immortals. It’s a bizarre mix of crime drama, extreme horror, and goofball comedy, which features a performance by Anthony Wong (Hardboiled, Infernal Affairs) that is both compelling and highly unsettling.

“Headless” (2015):

Once you’ve seen it, you can’t unsee this one.

“Headless” is a spin-off of 2012’s cult hit “Found” that tells the story of an abused young boy. After narrowly escaping his family’s clutches, he becomes a masked killer. In his twisted journey, he takes revenge on anyone in his path.

In short, “Headless” is a violent, shocking, and profoundly depressing horror story. In fact, this movie contains some scenes that make Terrifier look like a trip to Disneyland; yes, even that one. Consequently, it’s a film not for the faint of heart or the squeamish.