Leatherface (2017)

Leatherface (2017), an American horror film, directed by Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo and written by Seth M. Sherwood, is the latest addition to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise. Serving as a prequel to both The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974) and Texas Chainsaw 3D (2013), it delves into the origins of the series’ main character. Set in rural Texas in 1955 at the Sawyer household, the film centers on a birthday celebration thrown by family matriarch Verna Sawyer for her youngest son Jedidiah. As part of his initiation into their twisted family traditions, Jed is gifted with a chainsaw and coerced into participating in the sadistic act of torturing a man accused of stealing one of their pigs. However, Jed struggles to comply and Grandpa ends up killing the thief instead.

Several months later, Betty Hartman and Ted Hardesty are driving through the area belonging to Betty’s family. They come across a seemingly wounded Jed and follow him to a rundown barn where Betty meets her unfortunate demise at the hands of Jed’s family. Shortly afterwards, Sheriff Hartman, who happens to be Betty’s father, arrives only to find his daughter dead. Verna shows up to defend her sons and in retaliation, Hartman takes Jed into his custody and has him committed to a mental institution for troubled youth. The story then jumps ahead ten years to 1965 where a new nurse, Lizzy, is starting her job at the same mental health facility. She quickly forms a friendship with patients Bud and Jackson, who strangely exudes charm and respect. Later that night, Verna makes an appearance with an injunction in an attempt to release teenage Jed from the facility but is met with rejection from the director.