Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022 film)

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022 film)
Name	Texas Chainsaw Massacre
Director	David Blue Garcia
Producer	Fede Álvarez, Rodo Sayagues
Writer	Chris Thomas Devlin
Based on	Characters by Kim Henkel and Tobe Hooper
Starring	Sarah Yarkin, Elsie Fisher, Mark Burnham, Moe Dunford, Olwen Fouéré, Jacob Latimore, Alice Krige
Music	Colin Stetson
Cinematography	Ricardo Diaz
Editing	Christopher S. Capp
Studio	Legendary Pictures, Exhibit A Films
Distributor	Netflix
Released	18 February 2022
Runtime	81 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English

Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022 film) is a slasher film and a direct sequel to the original 1974 film, ignoring all other entries in the franchise. Directed by David Blue Garcia from a screenplay by Chris Thomas Devlin, the film was produced by Fede Álvarez and Rodo Sayagues for Legendary Pictures. The plot follows a group of young entrepreneurs who travel to the abandoned town of Harlow, Texas, inadvertently disturbing Leatherface, who resumes his murderous rampage. The film was released globally on Netflix in February 2022 to largely negative reviews from critics.

Plot

Years after the events of the original massacre, a group of investors including Melody and her sister Lila arrive in the ghost town of Harlow, Texas, aiming to revitalize it as a trendy enclave. Their eviction of the sole remaining elderly resident from her home inadvertently awakens the dormant Sawyer family killer, Leatherface, who retrieves his signature weapon. After a violent confrontation on a party bus, the survivors, including Dante and Ruth, are hunted through the decaying town. The narrative culminates in a final confrontation at the iconic Sawyer house, with a returning Sally Hardesty, now a hardened Texas Ranger, seeking vengeance for the trauma inflicted decades prior.

Cast

* Sarah Yarkin as Melody, the ambitious leader of the entrepreneurial group. * Elsie Fisher as Lila, Melody's younger sister who is coping with trauma from a recent school shooting. * Mark Burnham as Leatherface / the Sawyer heir, the hulking, chainsaw-wielding antagonist. * Olwen Fouéré as Sally Hardesty, the sole survivor from the 1973 massacre, now a vengeful law enforcement officer. * Jacob Latimore as Dante, Melody's business partner. * Moe Dunford as Richter, a local mechanic who becomes involved. * Alice Krige as Virginia McCumber, the elderly woman evicted from her home. * Nell Hudson as Ruth, another member of the investment group. * Jessica Allain as Catherine, a friend of Dante and Ruth. * Sam Douglas as the property auctioneer. * William Hope as the Sheriff.

Production

Development began under the working title Texas Chainsaw Massacre 4, with original directors Andy and Barbara Muschietti attached before departing due to scheduling conflicts. Fede Álvarez, director of the 2013 *Evil Dead* remake, and his partner Rodo Sayagues wrote the initial story treatment and served as producers. David Blue Garcia was hired to direct after the original directors, Ryan Tohill and Andy Tohill, were replaced during early production. Principal photography occurred in Sofia, Bulgaria, in late 2020, with cinematography by Ricardo Diaz. The score was composed by Colin Stetson, known for his work on *Hereditary*.

Release

The film was released exclusively on the streaming service Netflix on February 18, 2022, bypassing a traditional theatrical run. This release strategy was part of a deal between Legendary Pictures and the platform. A limited promotional campaign included trailers and posters emphasizing the direct connection to Tobe Hooper's 1974 classic. The release coincided with the 48th anniversary of the original film's first public screening.

Reception

Upon release, *Texas Chainsaw Massacre* received predominantly negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a low approval rating, with criticism directed at its script, character development, and perceived lack of originality. Reviewers from *Variety* and The Hollywood Reporter noted its failure to capture the grim atmosphere of the original. However, some praise was given to the performance of Olwen Fouéré and the film's practical gore effects. Audience reception was mixed, with some viewers appreciating the direct sequel approach and intense violence.

Legacy

The film is noted for its attempt to course-correct the franchise by directly following the 1974 film, a strategy similar to other legacy sequels like *Halloween* (2018). Despite its poor critical reception, it generated significant viewership on Netflix, briefly trending in numerous countries. The film's portrayal of a vengeful Sally Hardesty is a notable addition to the series' mythology, though its canonicity remains ambiguous given the franchise's complex timeline. It stands as another chapter in the enduring, if inconsistent, legacy of Leatherface in American horror cinema.

Category:2022 films Category:American slasher films Category:Netflix original films