Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022) is a horror movie that fans have long awaited, with the return of Leatherface in a direct sequel to the 1974 original. But the question is: is it as fun as the hype? Our editorial team has the answer.
Plot Summary (No Spoilers)
The story takes place decades after the events of the first film. A group of new-age influencers led by Melody (Sarah Yarkin) and Lila (Elsie Fisher) travel to a ghost town in Texas to start a business and a new life, but they awaken an evil that was sleeping: Leatherface (Mark Burnham), a killer wearing a mask of human skin, who goes on a murderous rampage once again.
The film tries to continue the legend by bringing back a character from the first film, Sally Hardesty (Olwen Fouéré), but her role is underutilized. Meanwhile, the new group of characters are just victims waiting to die, following the typical horror movie formula.
Acting and Characters
Sarah Yarkin as Melody does a decent job as the young heroine trying to survive, but the script lacks depth for her character. Elsie Fisher as Lila, Melody's sister, is a sympathetic character but is used as an emotional scapegoat. Mark Burnham as Leatherface effectively conveys brutality, but there's nothing new beyond what fans have seen before.
The performance of Olwen Fouéré as Sally Hardesty is what die-hard fans were waiting for, but she has very little screen time, which is a shame. The film misses the opportunity to create an emotional connection between the audience and the original character.
Direction, Cinematography, and Music
Director David Blue Garcia manages to maintain some of the original's horror atmosphere. Some kill scenes are brutal and uncomfortable, especially the viral bus scene. However, certain camera angles and editing reduce the suspense.
Cinematography uses dull and dark tones to create atmosphere, but many scenes are too dark to see clearly. The music score is not outstanding but helps build tension in some moments.
Editorial Analysis
An interesting point is the film's attempt to satirize modern society by portraying influencers as irresponsible young people. However, the satire is shallow and misses the mark. The film seems unsure whether it wants to be a political horror film like the original or just a gory slasher for entertainment.
Another issue is that the film chooses not to connect much with previous installments, so viewers unfamiliar with the original may lack context. Meanwhile, old fans may be disappointed that the film doesn't build on anything new. Additionally, using Leatherface without much backstory reduces the villain's appeal.
Verdict
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) is a horror movie that can be enjoyed as a generic slasher, but if you expect a classic or innovation, you may be disappointed. Suitable for die-hard fans who want to see Leatherface return to wreak havoc, and for those who like straightforward horror without overthinking.
Screenshots
👍 Pros
- +Brutal and uncomfortable kill scenes, especially the bus scene
- +Leatherface's return is still frightening
- +The original horror atmosphere is somewhat preserved
👎 Cons
- −Weak script with one-dimensional characters
- −Shallow social satire that misses the mark
- −Underutilization of original character Sally
Top Cast
FAQ
Not necessary, but watching the 1974 original will help you understand Sally's character connection better.
There are several horror and gore scenes, but horror fans may not find it particularly thrilling.
This installment focuses on brutality and satirizing modern society, while the original emphasized atmosphere and psychological discomfort.
