Review: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Bloodlines (2025)
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3/5)

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Bloodlines brings a new chapter to the iconic horror franchise, diving deeper into the twisted legacy of the Sawyer family and Leatherface’s terrifying legacy. While it offers some fresh blood to the series, it struggles to balance the terror with the need for modern storytelling, often falling into familiar slasher tropes.

The film picks up years after the events of the previous installments, bringing us back to the rural Texas setting where the Sawyer family’s horrors have become the stuff of legend. This time, a group of unsuspecting young adults (as is often the case in these films) stumbles upon the now-decayed homestead of the Sawyers, only to find themselves drawn into a fresh nightmare. However, this isn’t just another chase through the woods—Bloodlines attempts to explore the origins of Leatherface and the Sawyer family’s twisted legacy, delving deeper into their blood-soaked past.

The highlight of the film is, of course, the return of Leatherface himself, portrayed with grim ferocity. The film takes an interesting route by focusing on the trauma that has shaped Leatherface, offering a more psychological approach to his character than previous films. However, while this adds depth to the killer, it doesn’t fully take advantage of the terror he instills. His actions feel somewhat disconnected from the narrative, and the fear that once came from his primal unpredictability is now more staged.

The new cast brings little to the table in terms of originality, though their performances aren’t terrible. They play the usual archetypes—teenagers seeking thrills, unaware of the terror lurking in the shadows. Their character development is minimal at best, which is a letdown, especially considering the series’ potential to create more sympathetic or intriguing protagonists. Nonetheless, they provide just enough to keep the action moving, even if it feels like they’re there merely to serve as cannon fodder for Leatherface.

What the film does well is its gore and violence. Bloodlines doesn’t shy away from the bloodshed, delivering gruesome kills that will satisfy die-hard horror fans. The practical effects are still impressive, with the team behind the franchise making sure that Leatherface’s iconic chainsaw remains as deadly as ever. The atmosphere is tense, with the Texas countryside once again proving to be the perfect setting for a nightmare that feels both isolated and inevitable.

Despite the brutal action and gore, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Bloodlines suffers from a lack of originality. While there are some fresh takes on the mythology of the Sawyer family, much of the plot feels recycled from earlier entries in the franchise. The constant cat-and-mouse chase and sudden, brutal killings grow repetitive after a while. The film also feels disjointed in places, with the pacing dragging between set-pieces and character moments that fail to fully develop.

The soundtrack, while eerie, doesn’t stand out as much as some of the previous films in the series. It serves its purpose of building atmosphere but doesn’t leave a lasting impression. The cinematography, however, is a notable improvement, with sweeping shots of the rural landscape creating an ominous tension that feels both isolating and threatening.

In conclusion, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: Bloodlines is a solid entry in the franchise that will appeal to longtime fans of the series, particularly those who enjoy the visceral thrills of gory horror. While it has its moments of effective terror and some deeper exploration into Leatherface’s backstory, it doesn’t fully live up to the legacy of the earlier films. It’s an entertaining slasher, but not a reinvention of the wheel. Horror lovers looking for some nostalgic bloodshed will enjoy it, but don’t expect it to offer anything groundbreaking.