Kevin Bacon Admits He Doesn’t Like ‘Friday the 13th’—But Says ‘Terrifier 2’ Had Him Laughing Hysterically

It’s not every day you hear one of horror’s most recognizable faces admit he isn’t actually a huge fan of one of the genre’s most iconic franchises.

While promoting his new film Family Movie, Kevin Bacon reflected on his relationship with slasher movies in an interview with Variety, revealing that Friday the 13th isn’t exactly one of his favorites.

“I don’t like Friday the 13th all that much… Except the first one,” Bacon joked, referencing his memorable role as Jack in Sean S. Cunningham‘s 1980 slasher classic.

Bacon went on to explain why slashers continue to resonate with audiences.

“The appeal of slasher films is that they feel very real, you know? A masked figure could actually break into your home and chase you with a knife, and that’s pretty terrifying,” he explained. “Also, violence can be hysterical. Recently, I was watching Terrifier 2 and I couldn’t help but laugh hysterically at the absolutely ridiculous nature of what was happening.”

That’s probably one of the better descriptions of Damien Leone‘s Terrifier 2.

The sequel took Art the Clown’s gleefully over-the-top violence to absurd new heights, delivering some of the most outrageous practical gore ever put on screen. It’s exactly the kind of movie where the brutality eventually becomes so excessive that you’re left laughing in disbelief rather than hiding behind your hands. That’s my kinda movie, obviously.

Bacon’s comments also highlight something horror fans have understood for years: slashers work on wildly different levels. Some aim for grounded suspense, while others embrace cartoonishly outrageous carnage. Terrifier 2 proudly falls into the latter category, and judging by Bacon’s reaction, that’s part of its charm.

As for Friday the 13th? At least he’ll always have a soft spot for the original. After all, it’s the one that made him a horror icon in the first place.