MOVIE REVIEW: THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE (1974)
1. Monsters/Villains: 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖 (8.2/10)
Leatherface is the terrifying face of horror, but the true horror extends beyond him—it's the entire family. The Sawyer clan creates an atmosphere of dread that looms over every scene, with each member contributing to the macabre tone. Leatherface, with his grotesque mask and chainsaw, is the most iconic, but his family's bizarre rituals and eerie behavior add layers to the horror. They are not just villains; they are an embodiment of madness and cruelty, making their isolated world feel disturbingly real and inescapable. Truly a family that would make Ed Gein proud. Side note I am also adding Franklin as a villain and much like the “totally” girl in Halloween, I do a excitable backflip in my head when Leatherface rips him in half with the chainsaw.
2. Actors/Characters: 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖 (8.3/10)
The cast of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre does a remarkable job with characters who feel like real, Marilyn Burns as Sally delivers an unforgettable performance, especially in the latter half of the film when this terrible nightmare becomes a reality. Gunnar Hansen's portrayal of Leatherface is also outstanding, conveying a mix of brutality and childlike simplicity that makes the character so unsettling. The rest of the cast, particularly Edwin Neal as the Hitchhiker and Jim Siedow as the Cook, adds to the film's deeply disturbing and chaotic atmosphere.
3. Story: 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖 (7.4/10)
The story is deceptively simple but masterfully executed. A group of friends stumbles upon the Sawyer family while traveling through rural Texas, and what follows is a relentless, nightmarish descent into terror. The Texas Chainsaw Massacre keeps you on edge by using a documentary-style approach and building a sense of realism. The story doesn't rely on complex plot twists—its strength lies in its raw, brutal simplicity. It taps into primal fears of isolation, violence, and survival, creating an atmosphere where you can almost feel the heat, sweat, and blood. The film's grainy aesthetic and disturbing imagery enhance its visceral impact.
4. Joe Score: 🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖🤖 (8.4/10)
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a groundbreaking film that defined an era of horror. Its gritty realism, shocking violence, and relentless tension make it a classic that still holds up today. The way it builds suspense without relying on excessive gore is impressive, especially considering its influence on the genre. The atmosphere is suffocating, the villains are terrifying, and the film leaves a haunting impression long after the credits roll. It's one of the most raw and unforgettable horror experiences, pushing boundaries in ways few films of its time dared to.
Overall Score: 8.07
Bringing this into the 5 slot right behind Rosemarys Baby!
Updated List:
Psycho (9.22)
The Omen (1976) (8.45)
Salem’s Lot (8.4)
Rosemary’s Baby (8.28)
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) (8.07)
Halloween (1978) (6.65)
Monster Squad (5.22)
