Jessica Madsen’s portrayal of Clarice in the 2017 film Leatherface captured a manic pyromaniac with chilling authenticity, adding to the film’s enduring legacy. Clarice’s backstory as a child pyromaniac burning down her house was cut from the film, leaving her character open to interpretation. The idea of making Leatherface a woman, with Clarice as the iconic killer, was considered by the filmmakers. The film’s writers, Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury, considered the idea because they loved the idea of the audience believing that even Clarice could be the boogeyman. They also thought it would be interesting to explore the idea of a female Leatherface, given the character’s penchant for dresses and makeup.
Clarice was inspired by Robert Sawyer, otherwise known as Chop-Top from Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2. Chop-Top was a memorable character known for his eerie appearance and unsettling behavior. The original script for Leatherface included Chop-Top, but the writers decided to pay homage to him instead. They created Clarice, a female version of Chop-Top, with a unique character design and a penchant for violence.
Bridgerton’s Cressida (Via IMDB)
Jessica Madsen’s performance as Clarice was praised by the film’s writers, who noted that she captured the essence of the character they had envisioned. Her portrayal of Clarice was masterful, as she effortlessly transitioned between emotions and personalities, creating a thrilling choreography of horror. Madsen’s fluidity between emotions and personalities was a key aspect of the tribute to Chop-Top, while maintaining the authenticity of the original character.
Clarice’s backstory was cut from the final cut of the film, but writer Seth M. Sherwood recalled the image of a child pyromaniac in his mind’s eye. He imagined a little girl in pigtails burning down her house with her parents inside. This image influenced Clarice’s character, making her a more eccentric and violent individual. The film’s ambiguity regarding Leatherface’s identity was heightened by excluding Clarice’s backstory, leaving the audience wondering which of the escaped inmates became the chainsaw-wielding killer.
