Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Plot
The newest installment in the "Texas Chainsaw Massacre" franchise breathes life into a classic horror series by bringing a fresh cast of characters and a timely, albeit eerie, twist. Director Andrea Ibáñez sets the tone with a grim, foreboding atmosphere, reminiscent of Tobe Hooper's 1974 original, as a trio of social media influencers unwittingly stumbles upon the fabled Texas town shrouded in mystery. Sally Horner, a charismatic and determined online personality, gathers her closest friends, Jamie and Eric, in preparation for an ambitious, high-stakes, social media campaign that promises to catapult their personal brands to an unprecedented level of fame and fortune. Embarking on an immersive journey into the heart of Texas to capitalize on the opportunity, they drive down a desolate, rural highway in Eric's battered, beat-up van, navigating by GPS through a picturesque landscape eerily devoid of any visible signs of civilization. Upon arrival in the rural town of Willow Creek, however, the group quickly realizes that something is amiss. Overcast skies foretell an ominous fate, casting long shadows that evoke a sense of foreboding. Horrified to discover their mobile signal's complete absence and a town seemingly confined in a past era, the trio sets out in search of an internet connection, determined to salvage their marketing campaign. Leatherface, the iconic, masked antagonist of the series, remains concealed, but his distant hum, a chilling, repetitive call used by his brother, Chop-Top, signals the approach of the mass murder. Growing anxious and ever more disconnected from the supposed reality of their social media empire, Jamie and Sally become complacent with an opportunity to generate publicity by offering to film, create social media content, featuring the enigmatic, charming, and ageless Chop-Top. However, their attempts at an illusionary recreation of old-hollywood serenity instantly crumble once Chop-Top inadvertently provides horrific instances of modern gore in an abomination-laced nightmare of Texas lunacy chaos. Given an invitation to escape through the forest by a local recluse clad in tattered, old-clothing bearing only a remote echo of a whispered echo suggesting salvation, the trio remains unaware of Leatherface's rising animosity towards outsiders and their role as ultimate terror tools in an endless blood-soaked slaughter at the heart of Texas. Drawn into a whirlwind of unrelenting action, unspeakable terror and macabre ritual, they face their ultimate fate trapped by a terrifying legacy born from the deranged descendants that still live in those woods. On the eve of destruction the very roots of their shallow ambitions are confronted with an unvarnished, reality of extreme brutality; their illusions shattered beyond repair as they are drawn unwittingly into a cannibalistic legacy's bloody grasp.
Reviews
Gabrielle
The horror in the story doesn't quite pack the same punch today, and there are some minor plot imperfections, such as the female lead not driving away when she encounters a truck during her escape. However, certain plot arrangements are quite effective. The deaths are swift and clean, without unnecessary dragging. The film hits its stride about halfway through, revealing its savage edge. The nighttime chase sequences effectively convey the helplessness and panic of the characters. Ultimately, the story just feels a bit incomplete.
ReplyRyder
The original film in the series, I don't deny its epoch-making significance in the genre, but viewed with today's eyes, it's more like a carnival of lunatics. The movie is relatively restrained in its gore, with most of the horror atmosphere created by makeup, props, and sound effects, and the extensive use of montage in the killing process also leads to a significant drop in blood spatter. The characterization of the degenerate family is a highlight; the scheming old man, the maniacal older brother, the mentally challenged younger brother, and the vampiric grandfather all create a constant sense of unease. A pity, though, that much time is spent on the victims' boring behaviors; the two guys in flowered shirts are almost completely useless, and the fat guy is just a typical pig...
ReplyDiana
This is truly a heartwarmingly harmonious, yet agriculturally-metal, family of heavy-taste, brain-dead folks—old and young alike... Damn, that final shot can be viewed in contrast with the one from Bong Joon-ho's "Mother."
ReplyNorah
Grandfather is way more terrifying than the killer himself, adding to the overall eerie atmosphere. The gore level is actually lower than expected, but the obsessive depiction of the chase and torture scenes is absolutely devastating...
ReplyElliot
Not excessively gory or terrifying, but definitely deranged. The protagonist probably screamed for a good half-hour; her vocal cords must have been shot after filming.
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