While Black Christmas and Halloween are also foundational, Texas Chain Saw introduced the idea of a masked, unstoppable killer with a signature weapon.
It was filmed in 100°F+ Texas weather. Between the rotting animal carcasses used as props and the cast wearing the same unwashed clothes for weeks, the set famously smelled horrific. The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)
Despite its reputation, the film is surprisingly bloodless. Hooper relied on sound design, quick cuts, and the viewer’s imagination to create a sense of extreme violence. While Black Christmas and Halloween are also foundational,