‘It’s Surreal’: Samantha Scaffidi on ‘Terrifier 3’ and Victoria’s Dark Rise to Cult Status [Interview]
Few modern horror movies have made as much of an impact as Terrifier 3. What began as a low-budget passion project over a series of short films has now become one of the decade’s most recognizable indie horror phenomenons. And, at the heart of this blood-drenched success story stands Samantha Scaffidi, a performer who has not only grown alongside the films but whose portrayal of the tragic and terrifying Victoria Hayes has become essential to Terrifier’s sinister appeal.
With Terrifier 3 now available on Blu-ray, Scaffidi reflects on the franchise’s evolution, the complexities of her character, and why horror remains a powerful medium for audiences worldwide.
“It’s surreal,” Scaffidi says of the franchise’s meteoric rise to mainstream status. “It is also extremely validating. I’ve said it before, but in the beginning, it was just a few of us. The blood, sweat, and tears that went into making these films—especially as an independent production—was immense. To see all of that passion embraced in such a way is magical.”
When Terrifier first hit the scene in 2016, it quickly earned a reputation for its unflinching gore and its chilling villain, Art the Clown, played with ingenious nuance by David Howard Thornton. For Scaffidi, her role as Victoria Hayes began as a seemingly grounded and relatable character: a sister, a student, and an innocent bystander who gets caught in Art’s nightmarish violence. But as the franchise expanded, so did Victoria’s story—taking her into unexpected and harrowing places.
“In the first film, Victoria is just a normal human being,” Scaffidi explains. “But the trauma she experiences leads her to descend into madness. She becomes incredibly vulnerable to external forces, which eventually possess her. By the third film, there’s a pivotal moment where you realize Victoria no longer exists—it’s something else … something darker. I’ve always felt like I’m playing two completely different characters, and that’s been so fulfilling as an actor.”
Scaffidi’s growing importance in the franchise came as a surprise, even to her. Initially, her role in Terrifier 2 was expected to end Victoria’s story. “We actually filmed a scene where Victoria dies,” she reveals. “Art was supposed to come out of the back of her head, which would’ve been the end for me. But then Malignant came out, and Damien [Leone, the franchise creator] thought it was too similar to their ending. Thank God for Malignant, honestly—I wouldn’t have had this starring role in the third film if we hadn’t changed course!”
The result is a performance that has resonated with fans. While Art the Clown remains the franchise’s maddening mascot, Victoria Hayes has emerged as another significant figure in the Terrifier mythos. “I’m starting to see fans dressing as Victoria at conventions, with masks and costumes,” Scaffidi shares, smiling. “It’s such a relief. Damien warned me that people might love this direction, or they might hate it. But the fans have been overwhelmingly supportive, and it’s such an honor to see Victoria embraced in that way.”
The Terrifier series has not been without controversy. Its depiction of extreme violence—often toward women—has drawn criticism over the years. For Scaffidi, who has worked with RAINN (the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network), the conversation around violence in horror is one she approaches thoughtfully. “I understand the concerns, and I honor where they come from,” she says. “In Terrifier, yes, the violence is shocking—Art’s first major kill in the original film is brutal. But as the series progresses, you realize he doesn’t discriminate. He doesn’t have limits to gender, age, or identity. It’s equal-opportunity violence, and while it’s extreme, it’s part of what makes Art such an unnerving villain.”
Scaffidi also sees value in the way Terrifier resonates with audiences. “What I’ve come to realize, especially meeting fans at conventions, is that horror gives people an outlet. It allows them to process trauma, to face their fears, and to find strength in the characters who fight back. Watching someone like Victoria or Sienna refuse to give up, no matter how extreme the circumstances—that can be motivational. It’s cathartic.”
That catharsis is something she and Leone have discussed often. “Damien always says horror allows you to put death and mortality on the screen and let audiences react to it. Terrifier specifically allows people to laugh at it. There’s something incredibly powerful about that.”
While Scaffidi herself admits to being squeamish—“I haven’t even watched some of my own scenes!”—she’s found joy in connecting with the diverse Terrifier fandom. “At first, I didn’t understand why people loved these films so much,” she laughs. “I’d think, ‘Why would you want to watch this?!’ But then I started meeting fans—teachers, healers, all sorts of people—and hearing what the films mean to them. It’s amazing how horror can create such a bond.”
Growing up, Scaffidi had her own horror triggers. “Jaws,” she says without hesitation when asked about films that affected her as a kid. “I still can’t swim in the ocean without panicking. Every year, I tell myself to get over it, but as soon as I jump off a boat, I swim back as fast as I can.”
Now, with Terrifier 3 cementing the franchise’s status as a cultural phenomenon, Scaffidi feels proud of what the team has accomplished. “This franchise exists because of the fans, but also because of the people behind the scenes—the cast, the crew, everyone who works so hard to bring Damien’s vision to life. It’s a community effort, and I’m so grateful to be a part of it.”
The Terrifier series’ journey from a cult indie film to a mainstream success is certainly remarkable. At its core, it’s a testament to the power of grassroots filmmaking and the unwavering passion of horror fans. And for Samantha Scaffidi, whose transformation from a terrified victim to a dark, iconic villain mirrors the franchise’s evolution, the experience has been equally transformative.
With Terrifier 3 now available on Blu-ray, fans can continue to relive the mayhem and witness the chilling next chapter of Victoria Hayes. Whether she’s surviving Art’s grotesque violence or embracing her new, twisted identity, Scaffidi’s performance is one that horror fans won’t soon forget. Only Terrifier 4 holds the answers.
Categorized:News
