Five artists, Patton Oswalt, Takashi Miike, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Stephen King, and Karyn Kusama, explore how "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" shaped their art and psyche.
Director: Alexandre O. Philippe
Cast: Patton Oswalt, Takashi Miike, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Stephen King, Karyn Kusama
Release Date: September 19, 2025 US/October 27, 2025 UK
Genre: Documentary, Horror
Rated PG-13 for violence/action.
Runtime: 1h 43m
Review:
Alexandre O. Philippe's well-constructed documentary about The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a fascinating exploration about the far-reaching impact the seminal slasher. Philippe uses archival, behind the scenes footage from the 1974 film as bridges between each segment which in of itself is a fascinating taste of what it was like being on the ground while the legendary film was being filmed. The five artists interviewed have some overlap here and there but they're distinct enough to make each segment engaging while avoiding the kind of repetition you'd expect from multiple people discussing one film. Patton Oswalt kicks off the film as he discusses his heartfelt love and appreciation of the film and artistry at play in its low budget facade. He brings a heady approach at breaking down sequences and correlations with other classic horror films. Oswalt is clearly a cinephile and he add an expected level of thoughtful analysis that starts off the documentary on strong footing. Japanese director Takashi Miike takes center stage in the second segment and relates a rather fascinating recollection about how a sold out showing of Charlie Chaplin's City Lights changed the course of his professional career and life in general. He also brings a sense of how this American film hit the Japanese culture and its effect on his style throughout his career. Australian film critic and author, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, likewise brings her recollection of viewing Chain Saw in Australia via worn out, faded VHS copies which gave it a very specific look and feel which made it reminiscent of Australian films of the time. In her recollection, she presents the film as a coming-of-age moment much like other grindhouse film of the time. She describes how her connection to Chain Saw and Peter Weir's Picnic at Hanging Rock formed her cinematic outlook and worldview feels relatable on multiple levels. Stephen King is given the penultimate portion of the documentary and his stream of conscience way of speaking goes in multiple directions throughout his time. There's less of a focus on Chain Saw since King goes off on various tangents about other films and cinematic violence in general. Director Karyn Kusama closes out the documentary as she brings another fresh point of view as she breaks down the cultural relevance of the tropes and thematic ideals that the film puts on display. There's a measured and thoughtful approach to her dissection of the generational and cultural collisions at the center of the film. She posits the film as a timeless, mythical chronicle of violence and misfortune for every character in the film and ourselves by reflection. Once it’s all said and done, Chain Reactions manages to bring a series of fresh points of view to a film that's been appreciated and analyzed to death by this point which is a testament to Alexandre O. Philippe talent as a documentarian.
A
