Has any horror franchise survived the myriad ways studios revive and reboot them to hold onto any shred of respectability? Unfortunately, in an era where “The Conjuring” cinematic universe and Blumhouse hold sway over the genre, the likes of Freddy, Jason, and Michael don’t have the same prestige they once did (if they ever did at all). And after the disastrous “Halloween Kills,” who could blame moviegoers for giving up on the slashers of old?
READ MORE: Fede Álvarez’s ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’ Sequel Sold To Netflix & Will Skip Theaters
And yet, like a zombie movie, the dead keep coming back to life. This time, it’s Leatherface’s turn to rise from his cinematic grave, and he’s coming to Netflix, courtesy of Legendary Pictures. “Texas Chainsaw Massacre,” the latest resurrection of Toby Hooper‘s 1974 classic, picks up where that film left off, albeit several decades after the fact.
Here’s the film’s official synopsis:
After nearly 50 years of hiding, Leatherface returns to terrorize a group of idealistic young friends who accidentally disrupt his carefully shielded world in a remote Texas town.
For those keeping score at home, this is the fourth story chronology in the series, the third to continue from Hooper’s original film, and the ninth installment overall; a true Frankenstein’s monster of a movie franchise.
“Texas Chainsaw Massacre” stars Sarah Yalkin, Elsie Fisher, Mark Burnham, Moe Dunford, Neil Hudson, and Jessica Allain. Olwen Fouéré, Jacob Latimore, and Alice Krige round out the main cast.
David Blue Garcia, director of the 2018 independent film “Tejano,” shoots a script by Chris Thomas Devlin, best known for 2021’s “Cobweb.” Devlin’s screenplay comes from a story by Fede Álvarez and Rodo Sayagues, known by horror fans for their work on the 2013 “Evil Dead” remake and the “Don’t Breathe” films.
Will this latest iteration of Leatherface breathe new life into the storied horror franchise? Don’t hold your breath, horror fans (or, instead, plug your nose because you’re likely to gag during this film’s runtime). “Texas Chainsaw Massacre” hits Netflix next year on February 18. Check out the trailer below.
