Since streaming services came to prominence, there’s been a strong debate among film lovers as to which should be better supported. Purists generally feel like a cinema is the best place to watch a film and when cinema dies so does the film industry. Others would say that streaming service releases add a level of accessibility to film, an aspect that has been brought even more to light since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
There are strong arguments for both cases, and many generally believe that there is room for both in the industry. With that being said, there are still films that feel made for a cinema release. Streaming absolutely has its place, but there’s no denying that with some movies, audiences just won’t get the full experience on their home’s small screen. This could be just because a film is very grand, or maybe it’s known for amazing landscapes or sound design.
Many films were moved from a theatrical release to a streaming release as cinemas were largely closed around the world and, though the pandemic has been rumored to not be the reason, Texas Chainsaw Massacre was one of them. This film counts as the ninth in the franchise, but only the very first film is relevant. Think Halloween 2018 or Candyman 2021. While audiences familiar with the franchise wouldn’t be shocked to learn that this movie would be pushed to streaming as the Texas Chainsaw movies don’t have the greatest reputation, it’s actually a shame that this new release won’t be seen in movie theaters.
The film has many, many flaws. There’s no denying that it has massive issues, seriously detracting from the quality of it as a movie. The overall backstory is really strange, and the characters are unlikable to the max. Of course, that’s generally par for the course for most of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise, including the original film. The return of the original final girl, Sally, is also seriously underwhelming and bizarre. Those flaws are glaring and are largely the reason this new release is getting such negative reviews, but its positives have it begging to be seen on the big screen.
Though the film lacks substance, it delivers on its visuals. Everything about Texas Chainsaw Massacre looks stunning, especially its cinematography and camerawork. It’s uniquely shot, likely even more well shot than the original, and this combined with fantastic lighting and sound design highlights the great setting, Leatherface makeup, as well as special effects which are also really well done. The film looks truly cinematic.
Going along with well-done special effects, this film is filled with incredible gore. It sounds strange to praise something that’s so gross and violent, but this is a pure slasher flick. Kills and gore are the main elements of the genre, and they need to be done well for the movie to succeed. Texas Chainsaw Massacre really shines with the creativity of its kills, and the detail in its gore. It works well on a home TV, but being seen in the movie theater would make it all that much better. The sound design and the detail in the special effects would really be able to stand out, and it would add a lot to the movie.
2022’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre also lives up to its name most accurately of any name in the franchise. The body count is high, and Leatherface is wreaking havoc with that chainsaw. Other films of course have him pick it up, but he often uses weapons like a hammer instead. This version features a really standout scene that takes place on a party bus. A bunch of youth are on the bus partying, the villain gets on, and proceeds to massacre. It’s amazingly lit, the music is blaring, and the blood and guts are flying. This is one of the best slasher scenes in recent history, and it’s begging to be seen in theaters.
As a whole, Texas Chainsaw Massacre has been received pretty negatively. Some horror and slasher fans are really into it for its horror elements, but as a film, it’s seriously lacking in quality. It’s hard not to think about its positive aspects though, and wonder if its release medium has made an impact on its reception. With its visual elements being so strong, would those strong points have been able to shine brighter in a movie theater? All the negatives would still be there, but would they be overshadowed by a great cinema experience? Unfortunately, fans will never know, but it’s certainly fun to think about.
