Leatherface (2017)
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A prequel exploring the tragic origins of the iconic Leatherface character as he transforms from a mentally competent individual into a disabled murderer.
The story
In 1955, a couple discovers a wounded child named Jedidiah Sawyer and attempts to help him, only to be murdered by his sadistic family. His father, Sheriff Hal Hartman, takes Jedidiah into custody and sends him to the Gorman House Youth Reformery. Ten years later, a nurse named Elizabeth "Lizzie" White forms a bond with Jedidiah at the institution. When Verna Sawyer arrives to visit, she causes an escape riot. Lizzie and Jedidiah flee with other inmates, leading to a series of violent encounters as they are pursued by the vengeful Sheriff Hartman.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1955, Betty Hartman and Ted Hardesty are murdered by the Sawyer family after trying to help a wounded child, Jedidiah. Sheriff Hal Hartman takes Jedidiah to the Gorman House Youth Reformery. A decade later, nurse Lizzie White bonds with Jedidiah (now called Jackson) at the facility. Verna Sawyer causes a riot to visit him, and Lizzie, Jackson, and others escape. During their flight, they encounter various threats, including a murder spree at a diner by inmates Ike and Clarice. Hal Hartman pursues them, eventually killing Clarice and Bud. After a car crash, Lizzie and Jackson are captured by Hal at the barn where Betty died. Hal reveals Jackson is Jedidiah and intends to kill them, but the Sawyer family arrives, subduing Hal and taking him and Lizzie captive. Verna stitches Jedidiah's face and gives him a chainsaw. Lizzie watches as Jedidiah bisects Hal. Lizzie flees but is caught in a bear trap; she pleads for mercy, but Jedidiah kills her after she insults Verna. The film ends with Verna burning evidence while Jedidiah crafts masks from the faces of Hal and Lizzie, donning one in front of a mirror before smashing it.
- First release year
- 2017
- Runtime (minutes)
- 90
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Julien Maury; Alexandre Bustillo
- Writers
- Seth M. Sherwood · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Stephen Dorff · Texas Ranger Hal Hartman; Vanessa Grasse · Elizabeth "Lizzy" White; Sam Strike · Jedidiah Sawyer / Jackson; Lili Taylor · Verna Sawyer; Chris Adamson · Doctor Lang; Finn Jones · Deputy Sorells; James Bloor · Ike; Jessica Madsen · Clarice
- Genres
- horror
- Themes
- Identity; Trauma; Family; Retribution
- Tone and mood
- Graphic; Psychologically challenging; Art film aesthetic
- Premise and plot tags
- Prequel; Origin Story; Slasher; Psychological Horror
- Source material / true-story basis
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise
- Franchise connections
- Texas Chainsaw Massacre
- Content notes
- Violence; Necrophilia
- Reception
- The film received generally mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its character-driven approach and others criticizing it as a predictable origin story.
- Production trivia
- The Sawyer farm was rebuilt to accurately resemble its appearance in the first film.; The film was temporarily shelved by Lionsgate Films in 2016.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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