Terrifier Actress Sues Producers Over Contract and Consent Violations

LOS ANGELES, CA — Catherine Corcoran, a star of the 2016 horror film ‘Terrifier,’ has filed a lawsuit against the film’s producers and director, alleging breach of contract and distribution of explicit materials without consent. The lawsuit was submitted in California federal court on October 27, 2025.

Corcoran’s attorneys described her experience as an example of young actresses being exploited by low-budget film producers. The case names production companies Dark Age Cinema and Fuzz on the Lens Productions, producer Phil Falcone, and director Damien Leone among the defendants. Corcoran claims seven counts of relief, including breach of contract and promissory fraud.

The actress is particularly well-known for her role in a notorious scene from ‘Terrifier,’ where her character is gruesomely tortured by the serial killer Art the Clown. According to the lawsuit, filming conditions were extreme, with Corcoran being suspended upside down for over ten hours in freezing temperatures.

Corcoran agreed to a low upfront payment, reportedly $100 per day, with a contract that promised her 1% of the film’s profits and related merchandise sales. The ‘Terrifier’ franchise has become a financial success, grossing over $105 million worldwide. However, Corcoran alleges her royalty payments have been inconsistent and that she hasn’t received any compensation since July 2024.

The lawsuit states that Corcoran was paid only $1,816.35 up to that point and that merchandise royalties amount to approximately $6,408.26. She claims that when she raised her concerns with Falcone and Leone, they dismissed her inquiries, claiming to have no records of her payments.

Additionally, Corcoran asserts that she was not given proper consent for nude scenes filmed for the original movie. She claims she requested to wear underwear for the scene but ended up filming topless without the written consent required by SAG-AFTRA guidelines. The conditions during filming included little comfort, as she was also forced to lie on a plywood board without proper warmth.

Corcoran reported suffering health issues following the intense filming, including cranial swelling and damage to her eardrum. The lawsuit also alleges that producers profited from merchandise depicting her nude image without her consent.

The case has sparked conversations about the ethical obligations of independent filmmakers to honor contractual agreements, especially regarding compensation and consent for actors. As Corcoran seeks justice for what she describes as exploitation in a burgeoning horror franchise, the outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the industry.