Chain Reactions
Film essayist and SIFF alum Alexandre O. Philippe (78/52, Lynch/Oz) calls upon five horror luminaries—Stephen King and Takashi Miike among them—to discuss the impact 1974’s seminal The Texas Chain Saw Massacre had upon their lives and careers.
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Friday, May 16, 2025
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Saturday, May 17, 2025
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- Matinee
Fifty years ago, Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre redefined horror. With its raw, low-budget aesthetic and relentless intensity, the film introduced audiences to Leatherface—played by Gunnar Hansen—and set a new benchmark for terror. Now, filmmaker Alexandre O. Philippe (Lynch/Oz, 78/52) examines its enduring legacy in Chain Reactions, a deep dive into how this horror classic became one of the most influential films of all time. Rather than a traditional historical documentary, Philippe presents an intimate, thought-provoking exploration through the eyes of five notable fans: Patton Oswalt, Takashi Miike, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Stephen King, and Karyn Kusama. Chain Reactions peels back the layers of The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, exploring its social and cultural significance as well as its personal influence on them as individuals. With Philippe’s signature approach—engaging visuals, in-depth analysis, and a focus on the personal rather than the encyclopedic—Chain Reactions offers a fresh perspective on why Massacre endures. A must-watch for cinephiles and horror enthusiasts alike, Chain Reactions illustrates how the film has gained a loyal following across generations, securing its status as a cornerstone of horror cinema.
- Director: Alexandre O. Philippe
- Principal Cast: Patton Oswalt, Takashi Miike, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Stephen King, Karyn Kusama
- Country: USA
- Year: 2024
- Running Time: 101 min.
- Producer: Kerry Deignan Roy
- Screenplay: Alexandre O. Philippe
- Cinematographers: Robert Muratore
- Editors: David Lawrence
- Music: Jon Hegel
- Website: Official Film Website
- Awards: Venice International Film Festival 2024 (Best Documentary on Cinema)
- Filmography: William Shatner: You Can Call Me Bill (2023), Lynch/Oz (2022), The Taking (2021), Leap of Faith: William Friedkin on the Exorcist (2019), 78/52 (2017)
- Language: English
- Format: DCP
- US Distributor: Dark Sky Films
- International Sales: Exhibit A Pictures