Why Every Horror Buff Needs to Watch This Acclaimed Documentary
Dive into "Chain Reactions," a bold documentary that reimagines the legacy of "The Texas Chain Saw Massacre" through the eyes of five horror legends. Now streaming on Shudder, it boasts a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score.
In 1974, Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel crafted a low-budget film that would forever change the landscape of horror. The mere mention of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is enough to send chills down the spine, even for those who haven’t braved its relentless terror. For those who have, the memory of Leatherface and the twisted Sawyer family lingers long after the credits roll. Whether you’re a newcomer or a seasoned fan, the new documentary Chain Reactions promises to offer a perspective you’ve never seen before—and it ’s now available to stream on Shudder.
Directed by Alexandre O. Philippe, known for his unconventional takes on genre-defining films, Chain Reactions stands apart from typical behind-the-scenes retrospectives. Philippe’s previous work, like 78/52, dissected the infamous shower scene from Psycho to reveal what made it so haunting, rather than simply recounting the film’s production. Here, he applies a similar approach, assembling a select group of horror’s most influential voices to unravel the impact and artistry of Hooper’s classic.
Five Masters, Five Perspectives
Instead of crowding the screen with a parade of familiar faces, Philippe zeroes in on five distinct storytellers: comedian Patton Oswalt, director Takashi Miike, critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, author Stephen King, and filmmaker Karyn Kusama. Each is given their own chapter to share a personal connection to the film, creating a more intimate and focused exploration.
Oswalt, who’s known for his comedic take on the film’s bluntly descriptive title, revisits his first encounter with the movie, offering a fan’s-eye view of its lasting influence. Miike recalls how he stumbled upon the film only after missing a screening of Chaplin’s City Lights, and how Hooper’s creative freedom inspired his own work. Heller-Nicholas, an Australian critic, discusses how the film shaped international perceptions of America and how poor-quality copies led to wildly different experiences for viewers outside the U.S.
Unpacking the Film’s Enduring Power
Stephen King shares how the film managed to both terrify and motivate him, while Kusama delves into the layers of metaphor—both intentional and accidental—that make The Texas Chain Saw Massacre more than just a story about a killer with a chainsaw. Each chapter stands alone, allowing these voices to dig deep into what the film means to them and to the genre as a whole.
With a staggering 98% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, Chain Reactions has quickly become one of the most celebrated documentaries in horror. It’s a must-see for anyone who wants to understand not just the making of a classic, but the ripple effects it continues to send through the world of cinema.