The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) reviewed by Dana Archer
Directed by David Blue Garcia.
Starring - Elsie Fisher, Sarah Yarkin, Mark Burnham and Jacob Latimore
Certificate - 18
Platform - Netflix
Rating  ****

Running Time: 81 Minutes

Taking place 50 years after the original film, this remake brings us back to Harlow where two young chefs wish to gentrify Harlow. Upon their arrival they encounter an elderly lady who owns an orphanage, an altercation takes place, and she dies, living in her house is the infamous Leatherface who exacts revenge. I was apprehensive when I heard about yet another remake, especially as the 2013 Texas Chainsaw and 2017 Leatherface were forgettable. This film approaches the saga slightly differently however, bringing Leatherface into the modern world, there were some unforgivable lines of dialogue in this "Hey Leather - F*cker" being one of the cringiest. Dante (Jacob Latimore) and Melody (Sarah Yarkin) arrive in town ready to open their business, Melody's sister Lila (Elsie Fisher) was the victim of a school shooting and immediately dislikes the town. I really enjoyed this film; the gore was visceral and shocking (much like in the original 1974 masterpiece) this film was lots of fun. Mark Burnham has some big shoes to fill much like the previous two Leatherface's, Gunnar Hansen was one of a kind and embodied the character exquisitely. Burnham however is a worthy substitute and I hope he returns for any further sequels. This film isn't perfect, but it is a lot of fun with a number of cleverly comedic commentaries about the modern world, including a hilarious moment where the party attendees hold up their phones and threaten to "cancel" Leatherface, there is a side plot where the remaining victim of the original film returns to exact revenge (recast as Marilyn Burns sadly passed away) this side narrative is tiresome and unnecessary. Overall, an enjoyable, exhilarating and well written remake.