Warwick set to host Terrifier Conference 2025, showcasing best of horror franchise on campus

Warwick is set to host the Terrifier Conference 2025 from 2-3 May, in a first-of-its-kind celebration of the artistic genius behind Damien Leone’s film franchise, Terrifier.

Following the recent success of 2024’s Terrifier 3, the two-day symposium will celebrate the scholarly importance of the franchise, and will feature close readings of the scripts including an in-depth look at the infamously creepy horror icon, Art the Clown.

Attendees are invited to propose 20-minute papers on a multitude of topics based around the film, such as violence and aesthetics, which will be discussed throughout the event.

With the symposium aiming to dismantle assumptions towards both the horror genre and Hollywood filmmaking itself, the events will welcome global scholars from countries like Ukraine and Brazil to critically engage with subverted tropes such as the role of women and neurodivergence.

For horror film fanatics, the events will further demystify the performance and marketing of the franchise, including deep dives into the critically appraised presentations of gore and violence, alongside discussions of the supernatural.

This is Warwick engaging with a major popular culture phenomenon, and putting the institution at the heart of an international conversation about these films

Dr Reece Goodall, Director of Student Experience at Warwick, and Terrifier Conference 2025 co-organiser

With Terrifier 3 grossing $9.3 million worldwide, illustrating the demand for the horror and gore genres in cinemas, Warwick will welcome the film’s Access Material Producers, who will discuss how they adapted the visuals and sounds for visually impaired audience members and those with hearing loss.

Boar alumnus Dr Reece Goodall, a Director of Student Experience at Warwick, and Terrifier Conference 2025 co-organiser, told The Boar about Warwick’s place in the symposium, commenting: “This is Warwick engaging with a major popular culture phenomenon, and putting the institution at the heart of an international conversation about these films.”

Further emphasising the importance of the symposium for students intrigued by the variety of roles in the film industry, Goodall said: “We’re bringing together students, academics, and industry professionals from around the world to talk about these films, to unpick the Terrifier franchise from a variety of lenses.”

He added: “For everyone who comes, it’s a chance to celebrate one of the biggest horror success stories of recent years, in a shared company and an inclusive space.”

I think the way that the event will bring together academics and non-academics in a whole host of experiences is so exciting, and I’m really looking forward to it!

Dr Reece Goodall

The range of professional insights, alongside academic content, is one of the unique draws to the symposium, with Goodall saying those who attend will enjoy “some fun extras – the recording of a special Gore Things podcast episode, and a film screening of one of the Terrifier films”.

Remarking that “the enthusiasm has been truly incredible”, both from Warwick staff and students alike, Goodall commented: “I think the way that the event will bring together academics and non-academics in a whole host of experiences is so exciting, and I’m really looking forward to it!”

The Terrifier Conference 2025 proves that Warwick is branching out in its conference calendar for this year, inviting strong student interest in the horror genre and incorporating academic scholarship.

For those interested in attending, the symposium will be held online on Friday 2 May, including a multitude of panels and special sessions. The conference will then transition to the Oculus Building on Saturday 3 May, which will be followed by a fan-voted showing of one of the Terrifier franchise’s best films.