'Most disturbing horror movie of all time' based on true events now available to stream
Decades after its initial release, the divisive horror film 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' is now available for streaming, igniting fiery debates among viewers.
While some label it a "nightmarish" masterpiece, others take serious issue with its content.
Shockingly, since its 1974 debut on the big screen, 'The Texas Chainsaw Massacre' – an indie flick masterminded by Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel – continues to provoke sharp divisions within the horror community. Drawing inspiration from the chilling true-crime exploits of Ed Gein, the film has gained a notorious reputation for its ghastly murders and grizzly collection of human souvenirs.
Its promotional hook claimed it was based on 'true events', enticing audiences into cinemas with the hope of delivering more than your average fright. The intention was to mirror the turbulent political atmosphere of the 70s, but the film largely became infamous for eliciting sheer terror among viewers.
Following a troupe of friends embarking on a trip to an ancestral property, they soon encounter deranged psychopaths. Each friend becomes a grotesque target, meeting their ends through barbaric means, including – as the title unambiguously suggests – a chainsaw, reports the Mirror US.
A viewer expressing their opinion on Rotten Tomatoes remarked: "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is a gripping, visceral experience that captures the raw realism of arthouse cinema. It's terrifying in its authenticity, drawing unsettling parallels between the treatment of animals and the victims in the film."
One movie buff reviewed it online: "An absolutely amazing slasher film, especially for the time it was made in. The way this movie is shot feels like a documentary; it feels very authentic and real, which adds to the horror a lot more.
"However, some of the scare does get taken away from the movie because of how goofy the Sawyer family is, which adds a little bit of comedy, but there's nothing wrong with that for me. Really good movie. 10/10."
Despite facing bans across numerous countries and being pulled from several cinemas following audience complaints over extreme violence, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has carved its name into horror history, spawning a franchise that includes sequels, remakes, comics, and even video games featuring the iconic Leatherface.
Another viewer said: "A nightmarish experience from start to end, this horror classic isn't airtight all the way through, but it truly has an impeccable atmosphere and terrific camerawork. That scene around the kitchen table is probably some of the most frightening sequences I have ever seen in my life."
Today, critics look back on the flick as revolutionary, impacting not just the horror genre, but also paving the way for an entirely fresh subgenre of terror films. Its ingenuity is often honoured for contributing to the rise of the slasher film and introducing power tools as symbols of horror used by countless intimidating villains in cinema.
For those eager to delve into a film often deemed "disturbing" and form their own opinion, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime.
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