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Terrifier 3: Scaffidi on Special Guests, Future & Embracing Horror

Samantha Scaffidi (Payback) spoke to Bleeding Cool about missing out on Art's bar scene, the future of the Terrifier franchise, and the horror community.

Samantha Scaffidi has always embraced the creative opportunities ahead of her, both in front of and behind the camera. As an actor, producer, writer, and editor, she was the star of Damien Leone's 2016 original Terrifier as protagonist Victoria Hayes. While Victoria was dealt one of the most grim and tragic fates to befall a final girl, Scaffidi worked with Leone and co-star David Howard Thornton, who plays franchise villain Art the Clown, to turn her into something far more sinister and fully realized in Terrifier 3. The Payback star spoke to Bleeding Cool about the film's signature bar scene with some of the biggest names in horror, if Leone revealed anything about the Terrifier franchise's future, and how the horror community helps invigorate her creatively.

How 'Terrifier' Franchise Opened Unexpected Doors for Samantha Scaffidi

Bleeding Cool: Even though you didn't share scenes with the special guest stars, Tom Savini, Jason Patric, Clint Howard, Daniel Roebuck, and David had Art in the bar. Did you have a chance to meet them and talk to them on set?

I met Daniel Roback, who is one of the loveliest, most amazing humans I've ever met at a convention. I've heard about that scene from David. I remember we had one of the most grueling weeks of filming, and then I went away to recover. I returned weeks later, and they told me, "We had the best time with Daniel, Clint, and everyone." I was like, "Thanks, just rub it in my face!" [laughs] I've met Daniel, but I have not gotten to meet Jason Patric or Clint Howard yet, but I'm a big fan of theirs. I've been watching their work since I was a kid.

Has Damien told you about the future you might have in any future films, or is it something he keeps close to his chest?

I would say for Damien and the 'Terrifier' franchise, 'Terrifier 3' had a solid ending for "certain fates of characters," but then Damien would of course say to me off the cusp, "You never know." So because it's 'Terrifier,' you may never know what might happen. He's still working out where he wants it to go, but he'll decide in time. As far as what's in store for me, I have a short film currently doing the rounds at the festivals. It's called 'Open Your Eyes' and premiered at Frightfest in the UK, Nightmares, Scream Fest, and L.A. International Horror. I'm also developing a supernatural horror film myself as a director. Hopefully, I'll be able to announce some of these things more officially soon.

Do you feel more at home in horror, or is it one of the genres you like doing?

Ironically, I didn't start in horror. When I grew up, my family was very New York Italian, so we would watch films like 'Goodfellas' (1990), 'The Godfather' (1972), and 'My Cousin Vinny' (1992), all those. I would however watch horror movies to get scared with friends as a kid. Since I entered the 'Terrifier' franchise, I've met a lot of horror fans. Also, now knowing Damien, David, Lauren [LaVera], and how much they love horror, I've fallen even more in love with the genre. I feel like in this industry, the horror community have always been so loving and accepting. I now find myself writing and developing those types of projects naturally. I love it, and there's something beautiful unfolding that I didn't see coming when I was younger. I'm excited to see where it all goes.

How did the 'Terrifier' franchise help nourish you creatively?

One thing I've learned firsthand is that horror is such a great genre to address important and deep topics, while doing so in a way, that doesn't make the audience feel like it's doing that. There's so much potential and opportunity for complex ideas and storytelling to be navigated in such an entertaining but terrifying genre. It's the perfect space to test out ideas and make fulfilling things while also ensuring that it remains entertaining and fun for audiences. We don't feel like we're hit over the head with these complex and nuanced discussions we don't necessarily want to talk about consciously [laughs], but those themes can still be reflected in the subject of those types of films.

Terrifier 3, which also stars Elliot Fullam, Sarah Voigy, and Kailey Hyman, is available in theaters.

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