The Texas Chain Saw Massacre is one of the most important and influential films ever made. The Tobe Hooper classic has been debated, talked about, imitated, copied, remade, and everything in between on film. The new documentary Chain Reactions is all about the cultural impact of the film from the eyes of five artists: Patton Oswalt, Takashi Miike, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Stephen King, and Karyn Kusama.

This isn’t just your normal “oh well, this is the best horror movie of all-time” documentary, no. This is the personal experience of each of these artists with the seminal Texas Chain Saw Massacre. It goes into each of their experiences which is fascinating to see. Patton Oswalt goes into his own theories about the film and its connection to Nosferatu. Takashi Miike details how he first experienced the film. It goes on with each of the interviewees telling stories about the magic and the horror of the film.

Here’s the official synopsis from Dark Sky Films.

Fifty years after Tobe Hooper’s THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE shocked the world and forever changed the face of global cinema and popular culture, CHAIN REACTIONS charts the film’s profound impact and lasting influence on five great artists – Patton Oswalt, Takashi Miike, Alexandra Heller- Nicholas, Stephen King, and Karyn Kusama – through early memories, sensory experiences, and childhood trauma. By crafting a dynamic dialogue between contemporary footage and never-before-seen outtakes and delving into personal impressions triggered by distinct audiovisual formats (16mm, 35mm, VHS, digital), CHAIN REACTIONS goes to the heart of how a scruffy, no-budget independent film wormed its way into our collective nightmares and permanently altered the zeitgeist.

The Best Of Chain Reactions

The most fascinating thing about Chain Reactions was hearing new and different takes on what makes Texas Chain Saw Massacre special. Getting personal accounts and accounts from people of different backgrounds, professions, and everything else was a stroke of genius for director Alexandre O. Phillipe. Hearing from Stephen King in particular was enlightening. As someone who has made a life of creating horror and terrifying people, the reverence he speaks about Tobe Hooper and Texas Chain Saw Massacre is truly a sight to behold.

This documentary only strengthens my resolve and love of the original 1975 masterpiece of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Chain Reactions affirms that there’s still plenty to learn about from Texas Chain Saw Massacre, even 50 years later.

Chain Reactions is out in select theaters right now and nationally on September 26th.

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