‘Terrifier’ actress files lawsuit claiming she was filmed bare without consent

Catherine Corcoran sues ‘Terrifier producers’, alleging unpaid royalties and NSFW scene filmed without consent

Terrifier star Catherine Corcoran has filed a lawsuit against the film’s producers and director Damien Leone, accusing them of unpaid royalties and filming her nude without consent. The case, filed in California federal court on October 26, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the horror community, raising questions about how low-budget productions treat young actors.

According to court documents obtained by Variety, Corcoran alleges that the producers behind Terrifier, Dark Age Cinema, Fuzz on the Lens Productions, and Art the Clown, violated her contract and profited from her image without proper authorisation. The lawsuit includes seven claims, including breach of contract, promissory fraud, and distribution of sexually explicit materials without consent.

Catherine Corcoran became the breakout star of the 2016 cult horror film Terrifier, where she played the victim in one of its most infamous scenes. The actress says she was forced to hang upside down for more than 10 hours in freezing conditions while filming, leading to physical injuries including cranial swelling and eardrum damage. She further alleges that she was never given written consent forms for the nude sequence, as required under Screen Actors Guild rules, and that she only agreed to wear underwear during the scene.

The actress claims she received minimal pay for her work and was promised 1% of profits from the Terrifier franchise and merchandise. With the series’ sequels collectively grossing over $105 million worldwide, Corcoran says her royalty payments stopped abruptly in July 2024, totalling just $1,816 in back pay and roughly $6,400 from merchandise sales.

Corcoran also accuses producer Phil Falcone and Leone of dismissing her inquiries about missing payments. According to the filing, Falcone allegedly claimed he “doesn’t keep records.”

The Terrifier franchise has become one of the most profitable independent horror successes of the decade, but Corcoran’s lawsuit paints a darker picture behind the scenes. Her claims of exploitation and mishandled consent underscore the growing scrutiny on how low-budget horror films operate and the lack of oversight when dealing with intimate scenes.

As of October 28, 2025, Damien Leone and the producers have not publicly responded to the allegations.