Texas Chainsaw Massacre

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“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.”

Knowing that one of the main influences for this movie was the notorious Ed Gein, you know that there is more than just murder in this massacre. The human mind is a product of its environment as much as its genetic make-up and the environment plays a massive role in this movie.

It seems innocent enough that someone would want to find out if their loved one’s remains were unharmed. Especially when the opening scene shows how to the bodies seemed to be used for some macabre art.

But then comes the hitchiker.

Now, in the 70’s, it was way more common to be kind and trust your fellow man. This one is a prime example of why we stray away from helping strangers.

Something I realized while rewatching this for the review is that there isn’t as much gore as you’d think. There are cut aways and odd angles during the murders where you can hear and use your imagination more.

SPOILERS FROM HERE

The entire family in that house sees humans as just another form of animal that can be used just like cattle. From hanging the one girl on a meat hook to using a sledgehammer to the head of another guy, it’s all like some form of livestock to them.

In the end, Sally may have physically escaped but the mental torment will continue forever.

Ironically, this movie is also a commentary on social class structure. The environments we grow up in or are associated with, project how people first see us.

Or Texas.