Catherine Corcoran, known for her role in the 2016 horror film Terrifier, has filed a lawsuit against the film's producers and director Damien Leone.
She is accusing them of breach of contract and distributing sexually explicit material without her consent, per The Independent.
In the suit, filed in a California federal court on October 26, Corcoran claims that the producers took advantage of her as a young actress, accusing them of fraud, sexual harassment, and ultimately betrayal.
The Terrifier Lawsuit
The lawsuit names not only director Damien Leone but also producers Phil Falcone, Dark Age Cinema, and Fuzz on the Lens Productions.
Corcoran, who agreed to appear in Terrifier under the condition that she would receive 1% of the film's profits, claims to have been paid only intermittent royalty payments totaling around $8,300 following the premiere of Terrifier 2 in 2022.
However, these payments reportedly dwindled to amounts that were "nowhere near commensurate" with the film's success, and her concerns were allegedly dismissed when she approached Falcone and Leone.
Corcoran is suing the creators of Terrifier. Credit: Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty Images
Allegations of Non-Consensual Nudity and Health Risks
The heart of the lawsuit also revolves around a controversial scene from Terrifier, in which Corcoran’s character is brutally killed by the film’s infamous villain, Art the Clown.
In this scene, Corcoran’s character is hung upside down by her ankles and exposed in full nudity, per Variety.
According to Corcoran, she was not informed in advance that she would be required to be fully nude for this graphic sequence.
This lack of disclosure is a clear violation of Screen Actors Guild (SAG) rules, which mandate that performers must provide written consent before participating in any nudity or simulated sexual acts.
SAG-AFTRA guidelines are clear: “Work that involves nudity or simulated sex places performers in uniquely vulnerable situations. This work is, and always should be, something a performer is proud of and something they engage in willingly.”
Furthermore, these guidelines ensure that performers are given appropriate notice of such scenes, the opportunity to provide meaningful, written consent, and a safe working environment.
Corcoran’s lawsuit contends that the filmmakers did not follow these crucial procedures.
She also alleges that during the filming of the harrowing scene, she was subjected to 40-second intervals of being hung upside down over the course of a 10-hour shoot, without sufficient recovery time for blood circulation.
This, Corcoran claims, led to cranial swelling and eardrum damage, as diagnosed by a doctor afterward.
The creators deny the allegations. Credit: Lia Toby / Getty
“A Willingness to Take a Risk” on a Low-Budget Production
In her legal filing, Corcoran’s attorneys emphasize how pivotal her involvement in Terrifier was to the franchise's success.
The lawsuit states: “Were it not for Corcoran’s willingness to take a risk on this production and receive her compensation on the back-end, the series would not exist as it could not have been made on a shoe-string budget otherwise.”
Despite the film’s low-budget nature, Terrifier went on to become a cult sensation, known for its over-the-top gore and special effects.
In fact, the Terrifier franchise has become infamous for its shocking and graphic content, with some viewers reportedly passing out or vomiting during screenings of Terrifier 2.
However, as Corcoran’s legal action highlights, the producers allegedly failed to honor their end of the deal when it came time to pay her royalties.
“However, when it came time to pay what was owed, the producers chose to cheat her,” said Devin McRae, an attorney for Corcoran.
In response to Corcoran’s allegations, the filmmakers have firmly denied the claims.
Larry Zerner, an attorney representing Damien Leone and Phil Falcone, issued a statement via The Hollywood Reporter, saying: “Damien and Phil deny the claims in the complaint and will vigorously defend this lawsuit.”