This Franchise Should Rest in Peace: Why Texas Chainsaw Massacre Must End

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Once more, the rights for the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series are available. As we move into early 2025, rumors swirled that prominent producers and movie studios were considering acquiring this series to produce additional films in cinemas. Contenders for the project include writer/director JT Mollner from Strange Darling and potential leading man Glen Powell, while filmmaker Osgood Perkins (Longlegs) is also said to have shown interest to Neon Films about creating a new Texas Chainsaw movie. Over half a century since Leatherface first started his chainsaw, this franchise continues to captivate artists and studio executives alike.

The success of “Final Destination: Bloodlines” has made the idea of rebooting the long-running “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” series for a new audience seem even more enticing. However, it’s important to note that “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” is not the same as “Final Destination” or most other horror franchises. In truth, this particular saga might be better off without any additional sequels. It could be beneficial to allow Leatherface some peace.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre Isn’t A Franchise

In 1974, the movie “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” burst onto the scene as an immediate cultural sensation in the realm of horror films. Unlike many successful horror movies that quickly spawned sequels, a follow-up to this one took almost a decade to come to fruition. Movies like “Halloween II,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street 2,” “Saw II,” and “Paranormal Activity 2” all appeared within a year of their initial releases. On the other hand, it took director Tobe Hooper a full twelve years to create “The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2.”

Unlike many horror sequels, this second installment didn’t simply rehash old tropes. Instead, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2 offered a radical reimagining of the original, introducing characters like Chop Top and incorporating more dark humor and societal commentary. The significant gap in time and unique dynamics between the first two Texas Chainsaw films made them captivating outliers, suggesting that the character of Leatherface might not be able to support an endless series of sequels like Saw’s Jigsaw or Jason. Over the years, Hollywood has found it challenging to recreate the magic of the Texas Chainsaw movies. Two 1990s sequels, including Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III, were met with indifference. A pair of gritty 2000s reboots/remakes failed to gain traction. Texas Chainsaw 3D is mostly remembered for inspiring the comically bad catchphrase “do yer thing, cuz!”.

Eventually, it’s clear that the Texas Chainsaw series beyond 1986 is no longer up to par. Even the Saw series managed to produce a popular film like Saw VI following the less-than-favorable reception of Saw V. In contrast, the Texas Chainsaw films have consistently been receiving poorer and poorer reviews, with the 2022 Texas Chainsaw Massacre being one of the worst-reviewed entries in the franchise’s history.

Where Else Could You Take Texas Chainsaw Massacre?

As a dedicated movie enthusiast, I find myself scratching my head when pondering the potential directions for the Texas Chainsaw Massacre series. From the perspective of even the most optimistic studio executive, it seems challenging to uncover fresh ground in this franchise, given that the 2022 sequel has already delved into the well-trodden path of modern horror known as “legacy sequels.” This latest installment finds Sally Hardesty (portrayed by Olwen Fouéré), a character from the original film, stepping into a role reminiscent of Laurie Strode in the 2018 Halloween reboot. Notably, the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre received a direct remake back in 2003. To put it mildly, Leatherface’s tale has been carved up from every angle imaginable.

While it’s not very hopeful that filmmakers like Mollner or Perkins might steer the franchise in a promising direction. Instead, one might argue it would be more beneficial for these creators to focus on producing fresh, unique pieces of work. Within such creative freedom, they could craft unexpected scenes of chilling chaos that mirror the raw terror of the initial Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Attaching them to a brand with a questionable post-1986 history seems like a missed opportunity. There are numerous paths for gifted indie artists beyond franchises and sequels.

It’s unlikely that we won’t see Leatherface again soon due to Hollywood’s tendency to exploit well-known franchises financially. Eventually, someone will acquire the rights for this character, leading to another movie featuring him wielding a chainsaw. However, considering the dismal quality of most Texas Chainsaw Massacre sequels, it seems that another installment would not be promising. Despite Leatherface’s invincible nature, it may be time for his franchise to take a break.

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is now streaming on Tubi and Prime Video.

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2025-06-04 22:19