Actress Catherine Corcoran, known for her role in the 2016 horror film “Terrifier,” has filed a lawsuit against the movie’s producers and series director, Damien Leone. The suit, lodged in California federal court, brings forth grave allegations including breach of contract, promissory fraud, and the distribution of sexually explicit materials without her consent. Corcoran’s legal team characterized the situation as an "all-too-common story of low budget film producers taking advantage of a young actress through fraud, sexual harassment and, ultimately, betrayal."

The legal action specifically names production banners Dark Age Cinema and Fuzz on the Lens Productions as defendants, alongside producer Phil Falcone and filmmaker Damien Leone, whose banner is Art the Clown. The filing includes seven distinct claims for relief, highlighting the breadth of alleged misconduct and exploitation Corcoran reportedly experienced.

A significant portion of the lawsuit addresses an alleged breach of contract concerning profit sharing. Corcoran asserts that she agreed to act in the initial low-budget "Terrifier" for an "extremely low up front per diem rate," based on an agreement that she would receive 1% of the profits derived from the film, subsequent franchise entries, and related merchandise, including other intellectual property licenses. Despite the considerable success of the "Terrifier" franchise, which has produced two sequels collectively grossing over $105 million globally, in addition to home video revenues and profits from themed fan events, Corcoran alleges that her royalty payments became increasingly sporadic and significantly dwindled to amounts far below what was commensurate with the films' popularity. She specifically claims that director and producer Leone had "agreed in writing to provide Corcoran with a share in 1% of all net sales generated from ‘Terrifier’ related merchandise." However, Corcoran alleges that she had not received back pay since July 2024, accumulating only $1,816.35 up to that point, with merchandise royalties totaling merely approximately $6,408.26. When confronted about the royalty discrepancies, Corcoran claims both Falcone and Leone "brushed off" her concerns, with Leone directing her to Falcone, who then purportedly responded "aggressively and defensively" by stating he "doesn’t keep records."

Moreover, the lawsuit details profoundly disturbing circumstances surrounding the filming of one of the original slasher’s most memorable and demented sequences, where Corcoran’s character is brutally killed while hung upside down and topless. The suit claims that despite the scene's requirement for nudity, the producers "never obtained Corcoran’s informed written consent" to film unclothed, a mandatory requirement under the Screen Actors Guild guidelines. Corcoran reportedly insisted on wearing underwear on the day of shooting but ultimately performed the scene topless without the requisite written consent. She further alleges that she was suspended upside down by her ankles for "over 10 hours in below freezing temperatures." During takes, she was provided a horizontal platform for breaks only upon her request, and while wrapped in a blanket, it eventually became so saturated with fake blood that it ceased providing any warmth. After filming overnight, Corcoran claims she suffered physical ailments, leading to a doctor’s diagnosis of cranial swelling and eardrum damage.

Crucially, the lawsuit ties together the claims of unpaid royalties and the unregulated shooting conditions by asserting that the defendants have directly profited from merchandise that depicts Corcoran’s nude body, all without her informed consent or adequate compensation.