No mercy! France imposes a rare ban on horror film “Terrifier 3” – its first -18 rating since 2006

ADVERTISING

Today a new film hits cinema screens in France that is causing a stir.

horror 3the third film in the horror slasher platter series, has been hit with a rare ban in France – the first of its kind since 2006.

What makes this even more impressive is that films released in France don't require as much bureaucracy as, say, the UK. The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) publishes some of the most accurate – some would say illiberal – Classification systems in Europe when it comes to movie reviews, with six ratings.

In comparison, France usually opt for two (12s and 16s) because they know that for a 16s it has to be pretty intense. One of the last to receive this review was Julia Ducournau's stunningly brilliant Palme d'Or winner titanium.

But now the French Film Classification Commission has decided this horror 3 be provided with a “ban on under 18s”. The last film to receive this restrictive regulation was the 2006 film Saw III – another third part of a horror franchise.

For those unfamiliar with the Terrifier series, it's the sick brainchild of Damien Leone that focuses on Art the Clown, a demonic serial killer who slices and dices on Halloween (2016). More terrible), comes back to life and becomes stabbing once again on Halloween (2022). Horror 2) and now has his hellish eyes set on ruining Christmas (this year). horror 3).

The series was one of the biggest independent horror hits of recent years. The second part grossed more than $15 million (13.6 million euros) at the global box office against a budget of just $250,000 (228,000 euros).

Still, they're not very good.

Fine, Horror 2 was actually a step forward from the original. It's a relentless gorefest, a subtext-free genre film that offers some creative kills and little else. If you're into that sort of thing, this is one hell of a time. If you prefer your horror with a little more nuance, it serves no purpose other than to shock.

This is the charity that we have.

So unless you are 18 or older, young French Gorehounds will have to look elsewhere. And the French film distributors are not happy about it.

Factoris Films, Shadowz Films and ESC Editions released a joint statement (via Bloody Disgusting): “We can only regret this unexpected final decision, which significantly affects the release of the film, eagerly awaited and scheduled by tens of thousands of French viewers “October 9th (and of course maintained).”

They go on to say that the film's violence is “magnificent and unrealistic” and argued that “viewers will have the distance and maturity they need to understand and appreciate this artistic approach.”

“In addition, we have been working daily and tirelessly for over two years to defend free, creative and radical genre cinema, which has been praised by the press and audiences alike,” the statement continued.

“The audience of these films, even if they are teenagers, are cinema lovers who are passionate and respectful towards the films and the cinemas in which they are shown… We remind you that four of our recent releases, including Terrifier 2, “We were banned for minors under 16,” and none of them caused the slightest uproar in theaters.”

ADVERTISING

Fair, although there were reports of people passing out and vomiting Horror 2 and patrons leave the UK premiere of horror 3 last week – but these so-called reports are often put out by distributors to increase interest in their film. The same sensational reports were also published for the publication of titanium and during the premiere in Cannes of this year's fantastic The substance (both far better films, if clarification was needed), and no one was carted out of these screenings…

Admittedly, exceptional ratings can be a death knell for distributors who fear a negative impact on box office returns. However, they can also increase interest. And let's be honest: no one can surprise you like an extreme horror film horror 3 is hit with a special classification.

The only thing that is surprising is that it comes from France, a country that gave birth to the transgressive New French Extremity movement with titles like… Sheitan, martyr And Inside. It takes a lot of time for the French to become squeamish.

Maybe it's the holiness of Christmas that's responsible…

ADVERTISING

Does a Terrifier film deserve the extra hype this decision brings? And will you watch? horror 3?

horror 3 is now in French cinemas and will be released in the UK and US on Friday.