The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

Director: Tobe Hooper
Stars: Marilyn Burns, Edwin Neal, Allen Danziger
Runtime: 83 minutes

Synopsis: Five friends head out to rural Texas to visit the grave of a grandfather. On the way they stumble across what appears to be a deserted house, only to discover something sinister within. Something armed with a chainsaw.

Verdict: With a runtime of only 83 minutes, Tobe Hooper’s classic slasher immediately throws its audience under the burning Texan sun under which a group of friends is driving themselves to a vandalized graveyard. Their already dire trip takes an unexpected turn when they stumble on a hitchhiker who clearly means trouble, leading them to a path that is as horrifying as it is shocking.

Released in 1974, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” paved the way for a generation of iconic slashers that include “Halloween”, “Friday the 13th”, or “A Nightmare on Elm Street”, making it easily one of the most influential horror films of all time. Despite it being one of the first films to introduce the subgenre’s most known clichés, it somehow passed the test of time and even today never feels dated. Daniel Pearl’s pristine cinematography and Hooper’s effective directing are to thank here as they magnificently captured some of the chilling imagery (especially in the final 10 minutes) that are simultaneously outrageous and timeless.

Oddly enough, “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” may be one of the most pro-vegan movies I have ever seen, and this creative aspect of it injected it with a message about morality that I wasn’t expecting to take away. It truly is a defining pillar of the horror genre, a classic that still holds up to this day and a wild ride ran by cannibals and some of the most creepy-looking furniture ever designed for the screen.

FINAL GRADE: 8/10