With The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Bloodlines, the legendary horror franchise revs up once again, slicing into the past to reveal the origins of one of cinema’s most terrifying killers—Leatherface. Set decades before the events of the 1974 original, Bloodlines takes viewers into the dark heart of Texas to explore the twisted family dynamics, hidden traumas, and murderous legacy that shaped a monster.
Directed by David Blue Garcia, who previously helmed the 2022 Texas Chainsaw Massacre reboot, Bloodlines serves as both a prequel and a recontextualization. It introduces a younger version of Leatherface—referred to by his birth name, Jedidiah Sawyer—as a disturbed teen navigating the violent traditions of his backwoods family. As the tension builds, viewers watch Jed's descent into madness, fueled by blood, betrayal, and fear.
The film strikes a grim tone from the outset. The Texas landscape is once again a character itself—hot, suffocating, and isolated. Garcia leans into the franchise’s gritty roots with dirty visuals, raw cinematography, and bone-rattling sound design. The chainsaw doesn’t roar often in the first act—but when it does, it’s devastating.
Sam Strike delivers a chilling and layered performance as young Jedidiah, portraying a boy on the edge of humanity. His portrayal invites unease and even sympathy, but never excuses the growing monster within. Supporting roles by Juliette Lewis (as a deranged matriarch), Garrett Hedlund, and Elsie Fisher add emotional range to the film, with each character revealing another fracture in the Sawyer family's foundation.
One of Bloodlines’ biggest strengths is its commitment to the franchise’s tone—grimy, violent, and psychologically unsettling—while adding narrative depth. For longtime fans, the film is filled with nods to the original, including familiar props, locations, and a chillingly recreated family dinner. For newcomers, it offers enough standalone story to terrify without requiring prior knowledge.
However, some fans may find the pacing uneven, with a slower, character-focused first half that delays the slasher thrills. While the origin story adds complexity, it risks diluting Leatherface’s mystique for those who prefer him as a faceless force of horror.
Still, by the time the third act explodes into bloodshed—complete with chainsaws, meat hooks, and screaming in the dark—the film fully embraces its brutal legacy. The final scene is a haunting transition, showing Jed shed his humanity as the mask goes on and the chainsaw whirs to life.
The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Bloodlines is a brutal, stylish prequel that dives deep into the mythos of Leatherface without losing the terror that made him iconic. While slower in parts, it pays off with horrifying impact and delivers a chilling character study soaked in blood and madness.
