What Terrifier and That Woman You Love to Hate-Follow Have in Common

(And no, it's not just that they both keep you up at night.)

Let's talk about Art the Clown, shall we? 

Not the kind hanging in your local coffee shop, staring at you like it knows your secrets while you’re just trying to sip cold brew in peace. No, I mean the nightmarish grease-painted menace from Terrifier that has horror fans split faster than a machete through…well, you know. (If you’ve seen it, you’re probably already flinching. If you haven’t, I’d suggest postponing that sandwich.)

Funny enough, this all started when I stumbled onto a random review of the Terrifier franchise over at Stage and Cinema. And reading that review got me thinking. Not just about Art the Clown’s unnervingly wide grin, but about why Terrifier gets under people’s skin so much.

Because here’s the thing. Most of my horror-loving girlfriends absolutely loathe this movie.

“It’s just senseless, over-the-top violence!” they say, clutching their Hereditary Blu-rays like emotional support animals.

“There’s no plot!” they protest, as they lovingly alphabetize their Criterion Collection shelf. (I see you, girl, respect.)

“The Sadness is just as gory, but at least it had a story!” they argue, and honestly, they’ve got a point. (And if you haven’t seen The Sadness, go queue it up right after you finish reading this. You’re in for a wild ride.)

But love it or hate it, the fact is that once you look past the bloodbath and shock value, Terrifier actually accomplished what most horror films only dream about.

This indie blood-drenched roller coaster was made for about as much as my annual Sephora haul ($35,000, and no, I’m not ashamed). And despite its tiny budget, the franchise went on to gross over $100 million worldwide. A Hundred. Million.

That’s the kind of return on investment that would make your financial advisor pour themselves a stiff drink.

But even more impressive? Terrifier didn’t just rake in the cash. It carved out a place in pop culture, securing Art the Clown a spot on the Mount Rushmore of horror villain icons, right up there with Freddy, Jason, and Michael (not bad for a low-budget indie that most critics dismissed). Whether you’re a fan or not, that’s an achievement. And a well-deserved one.

And you know what? That success story reminds me an awful lot of a phenomenon much closer to home.

You know her. That Woman. The one you love to hate-follow.

The one at work who somehow glides through presentations while you’re still fighting with your printer.

The one whose kids’ lunches look like Pinterest boards while yours are lucky to escape the house with an uncrushed juice box.

The one who shows up to school drop-off at 7am looking like her stylist did a house call.

Let me confess something.

Just last week, I caught myself deep in an Instagram scroll, seething (silently, of course) at a woman who always seems to have it all figured out. Perfect hair, perfect outfit, and - to add insult to injury - perfectly curated horror movie watch parties. We’re talking themed cocktails, moody lighting, baroque candleholders…the works.

Meanwhile, I’m over here in my ratty college sweatshirt, munching on Oreos, mentally listing all the reasons why she was “doing too much.”

But the real tea? I wasn’t mad at her. I was mad at me.

Because deep down, the truth wasn’t envy. It was admiration in disguise.

And the same is true for Terrifier.

Most people weren’t just turned off by the gore. Deep down, they were rattled by how bold it was. The movie stripped away all the highbrow aspirations and went straight for the jugular (literally and figuratively).

It knew what it wanted to be, a throwback slasher dripping with practical effects and gleeful disregard for your comfort zone, and it owned it.

That’s why it worked. It didn’t try to be The Babadook. It didn’t need to be an allegory for grief or an art-house darling. It simply leaned all the way into its lane, found its audience, and earned its spot in horror history. It knew exactly what it was, a throwback to '80s slasher films with practical effects that would make Tom Savini proud. 

And isn’t that exactly what those women we “hate” are doing too?

They’re leaning in. Owning it. Refusing to apologize for being seen.

The parallels between our reaction to Terrifier and how women often view other successful women are uncanny. We dismiss them both as "style over substance," yet they're both achieving exactly what they set out to do. And absolutely crushing it.

So the next time you feel that little flicker of judgment flare up about a woman, get curious. Ask yourself:

• What is it about her that triggers me?

• Is there something she’s doing that I secretly want for myself, but afraid to admit?

• If I set aside my judgement and swallowed my pride, could I actually learn from her?

Because more often than not, when we catch ourselves side-eyeing another woman, it’s not because she’s doing something wrong. It’s because she’s doing something brave. Something bold. Something we wish we had the nerve to do too.

The envy? That’s not a sign telling you that you can't have what she has. That’s your subconscious way of waving a big green flag and shouting, “Hey! Look! Proof it’s possible!” It’s actually a gift, a compass pointing directly toward what you truly desire, deep down.

Terrifier dared to be exactly what it wanted to be, with no fucks given and no watering down its vision to please critics. And look where that got it, a cult following, commercial success, and a place in horror history.

That woman you're envying? She's doing the same. And sis, so can you.

So the next time you’re tempted to roll your eyes at a film everyone’s buzzing about, or tear down the woman who seems to “have it all,” pause.

Try not to get irritated.

Because the real horror? It’s not the violence on screen. It’s how we hold ourselves back by hating on others instead of being inspired by them.

And if you ever needed permission to go full Art the Clown in your own life (metaphorically speaking, of course), this is it.

Lean all the way in.

Go for the jugular.

Own your ambitions unapologetically.

P.S. If you’ve haven’t seen it and are craving a firsthand look at what all the hoopla’s about, it’s your lucky day! Terrifier (and yes, all three) is currently streaming on Tubi. (But seriously, skip the sandwich during the movie. You’ll thank me later.)

P.P.S. If Terrifier shows us what unfiltered chaos looks like with a hacksaw, envy shows us what it looks like in stilettos and whispers. Both destroy. Both disturb. And both offer a mirror we’d rather avoid. Envy might drag you into the shadows, but confidence? Hunee! Confidence kicks down the damn door and struts in with theme music.

Ready to switch it up from side-eyes to spotlight? Check out this post, as it’s the horror-inspired glow up you didn’t know you needed, complete with slow-motion walks, movie and book picks that co-sign your unstoppable energy.