Some people say that no film is perfect. That perfection is an unachievable goal, lending itself to greatness. I disagree with this assertion and point to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre as the primary example of a perfect horror film, followed closely by John Carpenter’s Halloween. Chain Reactions examines the influence of Tobe Hooper’s now iconic, shoestring budget slasher film from 1974, through thoughtful insights and firsthand accounts of the people who were directly impacted by the film.
Chain Reactions plot
Several respected figures from the world of horror and entertainment attest to the importance and significance of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the influence the film had on the trajectory of their lives and careers.
Chain Reactions review
I vividly recall the first time I watched The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and the immediate effect it had on my perception of what horror could be. Every Halloween for years, I insisted on showing the film to any friend I could convince to sit through the demented vision of violence in a small Texas town. While none of my friends ever had the same eye-opening experience of awakening that I had felt, each rewatch brought me to a deeper understanding and appreciation for the film.
That is the simple premise of Chain Reactions. The documentary doesn’t set out to bring new information or behind-the-scenes insight into the film’s creation. Instead, it showcases its reach and impact through firsthand accounts and talking-head interviews with significant figures from the horror world. Each interview acts as a fond recollection, with Takashi Miike (Audition, Ichi the Killer) recounting how he’d accidentally seen the film after missing out on the showing of Charlie Chaplin’s City Lights that he’d intended to see. It’s a wonderful sliding doors moment that gave us one of Japan’s wildest filmmakers.
With icons of the genre, like Stephen King, detailing the significance of Tobe Hooper’s iconic slasher, the film feels timeless. Despite being over fifty years old, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre exists in a capsule, perfectly preserved and as relevant and shocking today as it was upon its initial release. It’s no easy task to accomplish, but its importance is spotlighted through the insightful recollections of Chain Reactions‘ subjects. Director Alexandre O. Philippe (Lynch/Oz, You Can Call Me Bill) smartly assembles a diverse group of subjects from differing fields (author, filmmaker, critic, etc.) for a well-rounded and varied documentary.
It’s funny to see people speak about The Texas Chainsaw Massacre with such glee. The film is as warped and demented as its reputation, but the shocking level of its brutality often brings a smile and a chuckle. Not because it’s funny to see a woman hung from a meat hook, but because the memories of your first time seeing the movie, and the feelings of shock and awe that came with it, are so vividly ingrained and fondly remembered.
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Is Chain Reactions worth watching?
Chain Reactions is for a very specific audience. Those of us who are vile and demented enough to find the horrors of Tobe Hooper’s twisted 1970s vision entertaining will rejoice in the warm reflections and examinations of the film’s lasting impact. A love letter to one of horror’s greatest achievements, Chain Reactions offers an insightful examination of the lasting impact of Tobe Hooper’s iconic slasher.
