Leatherface Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A sheriff really, *really* doesn’t like a family, so some kids escape from an asylum and one of them gets a splinter, but with *guts*.

🍿 Leatherface: Detailed Plot Synopsis

A Twisted Birthday

The film opens in 1955 in rural Texas. A young Jed Sawyer is presented with a ‘gift’ for his birthday – the opportunity to participate in the family’s violent rituals. However, Jed is reluctant, showing a clear aversion to the brutality expected of him. This introduces a key element of the plot: Jed’s initial innocence and resistance to his family’s dark traditions.

Tragedy Strikes

Shortly after, a young woman, Betty, is lured to her death by the Sawyer family. Her father, Sheriff Hartman, driven by vengeance, commits Jed to a mental institution, Gorman House. This sets in motion a chain of events that reshape Jed’s life, as he is separated from his family and thrust into a chaotic and disturbing environment.

Escape from Gorman House

Ten years later, in 1965, the story jumps forward. A new nurse, Lizzy, arrives at Gorman House. A riot ensues following Verna’s attempt to free Jed, leading to a violent escape involving Lizzy and several inmates, including the troubled Jackson. The group’s journey becomes a bloody road trip, with Sheriff Hartman in pursuit.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Hal Hartman (Stephen Dorff): A vengeful sheriff consumed by rage after his daughter’s murder, hunting down the escaped inmates.
• Verna Sawyer (Lili Taylor): The ruthless matriarch of the Sawyer family, fiercely protective of her children and their violent legacy.
• Jackson/Jed (Sam Strike): A complex mental patient, who is conflicted between compassion and the pull of his family’s dark nature, eventually becoming Leatherface.
• Lizzy (Vanessa Grasse): A young nurse who is kidnapped by the inmates and caught in the middle of their murderous escape.
• Ike (James Bloor): A violent and unhinged inmate who leads the escape and indulges in sadistic acts.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Hal Hartman: “You take one of mine, and I’ll take all yours, Verna. All of ’em.” – Said by Sheriff Hartman to Verna Sawyer, foreshadowing his relentless pursuit of her family after the death of his daughter.
• Verna: “(Implied)” – Verna’s fierce protectiveness of her son, Jed, ultimately pushes him towards embracing his violent nature.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10.4 million
• Domestic Gross: N/A
• Worldwide Gross: $1.48 million

💥 Leatherface Reviews

Personal Review

As a big fan of the original, I was a bit skeptical about this prequel, but I wanted to see it anyway. The film has moments of suspense and gore. I also liked how they showed the transformation of Jed into Leatherface; however, the story felt like it was missing something. The nurse was an interesting character, and the ending was pretty intense. I thought the director tried their best and created an entertaining movie. I think it’s OK to check out for horror fans, but don’t expect it to be like the original.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise”
  • “Viewers interested in origin stories of horror icons”
  • “Horror fans who enjoy gore and violence”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Graphic violence and gore”
  • “Disturbing content including murder and torture”
  • “Sexual content and necrophilia”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb Critic: “Bustillo and Maury delivers a solid, gory prequel. Stephen Dorff and Lili Taylor shine. Though the plot meanders and lacks the original’s tension, it’s a worthy addition, especially for gore enthusiasts.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “Despite some effective gore and committed performances, ‘Leatherface’ fails to capture the raw terror of the original, resulting in a predictable and ultimately unnecessary origin story.
• Metacritic Review: “Attempts to provide a backstory to the iconic villain, Leatherface, but falls short in delivering the suspense and horror that made the original film a classic. The story feels forced and lacks originality.

Audience Reactions

Lili Taylor’s performance as Verna Sawyer was phenomenal and really brought the character to life.: The performances by Lili Taylor and Stephen Dorff were generally praised by viewers.

The gore and violence were intense, adding to the overall horror experience.: Fans of gore appreciated the movie’s graphic content, which was considered a highlight.

Overall Consensus: Leatherface offers an origin story with some intense gore, but it ultimately struggles to capture the original’s magic, leaving viewers with mixed feelings.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury, known for their extreme horror film ‘Inside’, directed ‘Leatherface’, bringing their intense and brutal style to the Texas Chainsaw Massacre franchise.”
• “The film attempts to provide an origin story for Leatherface, exploring his childhood and the events that led him to become the iconic killer, but this approach was met with mixed reactions from fans.”
• “The Sawyer House seen in the 1974 original film was rebuilt for the filming of ‘Leatherface’.”
• “Filming primarily took place in Bulgaria, utilizing the country’s landscapes to represent rural Texas.”

🖥️ How to Watch Leatherface?

Leatherface (2017) is available for streaming and purchase on various platforms. You can find it on demand via services like Prime Video, Vudu, and Apple TV, where it’s available for rent or purchase. Check local listings for potential cable VOD options as well. Availability may vary by region, so confirm before purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Leatherface, you might like these similar films:

• Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning (2006): Similar attempt to explore the origins of Leatherface and his family, though with a different approach.
• House of 1000 Corpses (2003): Features a similarly deranged and sadistic family, creating a comparable atmosphere of terror and brutality.
• The Devil’s Rejects (2005): Another road movie with psychotic killers, emphasizing the violence and mayhem they leave in their wake.
• Halloween (2007): Rob Zombie’s reimagining of Halloween delves into Michael Myers’s backstory, attempting to explain his descent into madness.

🛒 Leatherface Related Products

• Texas Chainsaw Massacre Leatherface Mask: An officially licensed Leatherface mask that can be worn. This is an excellent collector’s item and an affordable addition to any horror enthusiast’s collection.
• Texas Chainsaw Massacre (Original 1974) Blu-ray: Experience the horror in high definition with the original film. This Blu-ray version includes bonus content and behind-the-scenes features.
• Leatherface Chainsaw Replica: A high-quality replica of Leatherface’s chainsaw. This non-functional item is ideal for display or cosplay.
• Texas Chainsaw Massacre Graphic Novel: Delve deeper into the world of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre with a graphic novel adaptation. Provides additional storylines and insights.

🎧 Soundtrack

Leatherface features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Leave Me Alone” – performed by Nathaniel Mayer
• “It’s Over” – performed by Patti La Salle

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The Evolution of Leatherface (Animated)

Ever wondered how Leatherface’s look changed over the years? This animated video breaks it down in a super fun way – you won’t believe all the different versions there have been! It’s crazy how much he’s evolved, check it out!

In Passionate Defense of Leatherface – Jules Dapper

Okay, hear me out… Leatherface isn’t *just* a mindless killer. This video makes a really compelling argument for seeing him in a totally new light. You might actually end up feeling a little bad for him – give it a watch, it’s thought-provoking!

✨ Rate