Terrifier 2: Australian government issues warning over ultraviolent horror film

The Australian Film Classification Society has issued a warning about the ultra-violent horror film Terrifier 2 – a film so gory that moviegoers in cinemas across America collapse and vomit.

Terrifier 2, directed by Damien Leone, was approved for theatrical release with an R 18+ rating for “high impact violence, blood and gore” and hit theaters last Friday, just in time for the Halloween weekend.

A notification on the website from the Ministry of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts contains a detailed summary of the film’s extreme content, warning that it is not for the faint of heart.

“The film features a series of sadistic and gory murders committed by an evil clown,” the statement read in part.

‘In some scenes, the clown eats bits of flesh and internal organs from his victims.

“The film features a series of murders involving large amounts of blood and graphic details of injuries, such as mutilation, beheading and mutilation.”

Horror fans flocked to theaters across Australia this weekend to watch Terrifier 2, the highly anticipated sequel to 2016’s cult favorite Terrifier, which never hit theaters Down Under.

The nighttime screening at Event Cinemas George Street in Sydney on Saturday was a raucous affair with the crowd applauding and cheering after the gruesome death scenes.

Many fans were surprised that Terrifier 2 was even cleared for release, as Australia has some of the strictest movie censorship laws in the world.

The film features graphic scenes of mutilation and torture, including a woman who is scalped alive and then doused in acid, a young man who is castrated, and the murderer who pulls out a victim’s heart and then eats it.

Horror fans want the slasher to qualify for next year’s Oscars.

There’s an urge to have the film’s horrific blood, handled by director Leone, who is an expert in SFX and makeup, recognized in the Best Visual Effects category.

Some have even said that lead actress Lauren LaVera and antagonist David Howard Thornton, who plays Art the Clown, deserve a nod for their acting.

So when does the @TerrifierFilm Oscar buzz start? David Howard Thornton’s performance as Art the Clown is PERFECT, with no dialogue maximizing his screen time like no other. @_LaurenLaVera_ is everyone’s new latest girl crush!’ squirted one.

“Terrifier 2 should rightfully be nominated for an Oscar for makeup and hairstyling,” another tweeted.

One fan even said the low-budget film deserves to match The Exorcist’s award, which brought in 10 nominations at the 1974 Academy Awards.

The film’s producers, including Steve Barton and production company Bloody Disgusting, have also fueled the Oscar buzz on social media.

‘What do you think? Should we submit?’ Barton tweeted enthusiastically.

Terrifier 2 has become an unlikely blockbuster thanks to grassroots support and word of mouth.

It initially had a limited weekend release in the United States, but exploded in popularity after reports of moviegoers passing out and throwing up in theaters.

The theatrical run was subsequently extended and to date the 138-minute gorefest has grossed $7.7 million on a paltry $250,000 budget.

Terrifier 2 has since opened in Canadian, British and Australian theaters.

Filmmaker Leone recently opened up in an interview with Entertainment Weekly about fan reports breaking out about the film.

“Listen, I would have loved to have had some walk-outs, I think that’s kind of a badge of honor because it’s an intense movie,” he said.

“I don’t want people to pass out or get hurt during the movie. But it’s surreal. Here’s the thing, it’s called Terrifier 2, you should probably see Terrifier 1 before jumping into this one. When you see Terrifier 1, you know what you’re getting into.’

He also tweeted that the reports of the fainting and vomiting were legit, and not just a marketing stunt to give the film some publicity.

“I swear on the success of the film, it is NOT,” he declared. “These reports are 100% legit. I wish we were smart enough to think of that! But again, that wasn’t necessary either.’

The film has become a hit on social media, with fans gushing over the sickening gore.

“This scene in Terrifier 2 is the most incredible s**t I’ve ever seen in a movie theater,” one person tweeted.

“My friend passed out and the theater called an ambulance. Strongly recommended!’ added one more.

Despite the unnecessary violence and 138 minutes running time, Terrifier 2 has so far been well received by critics, with an impressive 89 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.

“It gives in to all its innate, vile impulses, and then just carries on… Get together with a group of the roughest genre freaks you can find and go all out,” wrote Trace Sauveur of the Austin Chronicle.

Other critics have not been so kind, though, with Sara Michelle Fetters writing for Moviefreak.com, “Terrifier 2 is exhausting. Leone’s sequel has exhausted me, it’s repulsive cunning filth that’s too extreme even for me.”

“It’s all just blood and guts, and nothing holds it together. ‘Terrifier 2′ presents itself as a challenge – how much carnage can you endure?’ wrote Adam Graham to the Detroit News.

Due to Terrifier 2’s “brutal depictions of horror,” the production company was forced to post a social media warning to ensure viewers were prepared before seeing it.

The first Terrifier follows a maniacal mime artist named Art the Clown who terrorizes three women on Halloween.

The film went viral after its release due to a particularly gruesome death scene, in which someone was maimed with a hacksaw.

In the sequel, he returns after being resurrected by a sinister supernatural entity to deal more damage, this time targeting a teenage girl and her younger brother.