A24, the studio behind several popular horror films, recently announced they’re developing a new TV series based on the iconic franchise, with Glen Powell as a producer. Details about the show are scarce, but this isn’t the first time someone has tried to expand the story of Leatherface. However, it could be the first adaptation to truly capture the spirit of the original 1974 film.
Fans and critics agree that the latest version of Texas Chainsaw Massacre has a big hurdle to overcome. It’s not enough to simply make Leatherface frightening; the filmmakers need to understand what originally made him so terrifying. Previous attempts to bring the franchise back haven’t been very successful, and have largely been forgotten, because the core of the story was misinterpreted. If A24 doesn’t recognize the tragic roots of the film, it risks repeating the failures of past installments.
The Original Film Was Never Just a Slasher
A24’s biggest challenge is to show that the classic slasher film wasn’t built on a single formula. While it established tropes like masked killers and the ‘final girl,’ the original film was actually quite unique. It reflected the specific fears and concerns of the 1970s, like the energy crisis, political scandals, and the Vietnam War.
As a film buff, what always struck me about that horror movie wasn’t just the scares, but the underlying tragedy. The family of villains weren’t simply evil; they felt like a product of a broken system. They were these former slaughterhouse workers, basically thrown away when machines took their jobs, and left to just…decay in this forgotten corner of the country. Their horrifying acts felt less like malice and more like a desperate attempt to survive, a really dark reflection of how our society consumes and discards everything – even people.
The meaningful layers of this film are often overlooked. Just like American Psycho, which shows Patrick Bateman violently dismembering bodies as a symbol of 1980s Wall Street excess, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre offers more than meets the eye. While critics accurately point out the commentary on consumerism in American Psycho, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is often unfairly labeled as simple, shocking entertainment.
The core message of both films is the same: extreme capitalism dehumanizes people. However, one film portrays the villain as a monster due to superficial appearances – he was judged for being unkempt, while someone else committing the same actions would be seen differently based on their wealth and presentation.
As a film lover, what really struck me about this movie was how real it felt. They shot it on 16mm film, right in the scorching heat – you can feel that in the grainy, almost sweaty look of it. It definitely doesn’t have that slick, polished feel you get with most big-budget horror films. And the violence? It’s clever. They don’t show you everything, letting your imagination fill in the gaps, so it often feels much more intense than it actually is.
This made the horror feel deeply ingrained in the environment. The victims weren’t punished for doing something wrong; they simply found themselves in a place where normal rules and compassion no longer existed. They were treated as objects, devoid of any human value, and processed like animals – a much more disturbing idea than a simple slasher villain.
The “Leatherface Curse” That Doomed the Sequels
A recurring problem with the franchise is its failure to understand that Leatherface isn’t the central figure. In the first film, he’s portrayed as a victim – a frightened and controlled instrument of his cruel family, forced to kill out of fear and duty. His mask isn’t meant to intimidate, but to conceal his lost sense of self.
Many sequels and reboots have gotten it wrong. They turned Leatherface into a powerful, intimidating figure, losing the original film’s focus on his fragility and the disturbing family issues of the Sawyers. Instead, they emphasized flashy violence and creating a complex backstory.
Although the 2003 remake was financially successful, it lost the raw, realistic style of the original, opting for a slick, visually-driven presentation. It simply looked too polished. While the film tried to update the story by including themes of neighborhood change, and had some success doing so, it ultimately transformed Leatherface into an almost invincible, superhuman killer.
These movies tended to show how the killings happened, but not why they happened. Leatherface, for example, was historically portrayed as someone who skinned his victims and wore their skin, but that was only one aspect of the real Ed Gein, who experienced significant trauma and abuse in his past. His disturbing actions stemmed from a deeply troubled background.
Although the story of Leatherface is fictional and quite different from the true story of Ed Gein, both characters share a similar origin of evil. Leatherface’s story in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre developed from several influences, but he shouldn’t be seen as just a symbolic figure.
The later movies lost the unsettling atmosphere of the first film. They seemed to forget that the creepy house – with its eerie decorations and decaying elements – was just as terrifying as the villain. Instead of focusing on the original’s themes of hardship and fear, they relied on simple gore. This shift in focus is why the series has struggled creatively for decades.
A24 Is the Franchise’s Best Chance to Finally Get It Right
A24’s participation offers the best chance to move beyond typical horror tropes, focusing instead on creating a deeply unsettling atmosphere and exploring psychological themes. Their films, such as The Witch, Midsommar, and Hereditary, demonstrate their skill at crafting worlds that feel intensely oppressive and leave viewers with a sense of hopelessness.
The upcoming season should recapture the original series’ atmospheric “Texas Gothic” style. It needs to emphasize the setting itself as a source of conflict, making the oppressive heat, remote locations, and crumbling surroundings truly feel present. A personal touch from the creators is also expected, which should help maintain the story’s cultural authenticity and unsettling rural atmosphere.
The creators of the show have a great chance to really delve into what makes the Sawyer family tick, moving beyond just the shocking parts. Instead of only seeing them commit violent acts, viewers could witness their everyday lives – things like family meals, arguments, and the ordinary challenges of running a gas station, all complicated by their… unusual diet.
Today’s horror fans are looking for stories with depth that tap into their real-life fears. A series about a family of cannibals, used to explore the breakdown of the American Dream, feels particularly impactful and relevant right now, offering exactly the kind of substance horror audiences want.
A24 is known for supporting directors with distinct and original visions. If they choose a filmmaker who understands and appreciates the raw, realistic style of the first film, we could get a sequel that truly feels exciting and unpredictable. Recent reports indicate that JT Mollner, the writer of The Long Walk, is now directing the project, which is encouraging for fans of the series.
There’s also a new Texas Chainsaw Massacre movie being developed at A24, though details are scarce. With so many projects planned for the franchise, it’s time the filmmakers revisited the spirit and story of the original. The upcoming reboot doesn’t need to be radically different; it just needs to focus on what made the first film effective instead of trying to overcomplicate things.
For decades, the ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ series has avoided confronting its disturbing roots, attempting to present itself as a simple slasher film. Now, A24 has the opportunity to break that cycle by giving the story the serious treatment it deserves. This means recognizing that the heartbreaking history of the Sawyer family is just as frightening as the violence itself.
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2026-02-09 07:41