WARNING: The following contains massive spoilers for Texas Chainsaw Massacre, now streaming on Netflix.
The newest Texas Chainsaw Massacre film is a continuation from the original 1974 film and features a much older version of Leatherface, who no longer answers to his family. However, now that he’s on his own, he has the option to develop into his own person and forge a path that is more violent than any iteration that has come before. But his journey along with another character in the film proves that Texas Chainsaw Massacre is actually a coming-of-age story at its core.
During the first film, it was clear that Leatherface was often used by his family to run errands and do the dirty work. But what makes things even sadder for the character is that he appears to be more mentally unstable than his older brothers. As a result, he often neds assistance in living and likely wouldn’t have done well living on his own. This leads him to the orphanage in Harlow, Texas, following the last film’s conclusion. While there, he lived a quieter life under his caregiver, Virginia McCumber, who acts as a mother figure to him. Although he has someone to look after him, Leatherface is well past his 50s before he has the chance to finally be his own person and walk his own path.
The death of Virginia sent Leatherface on a path of revenge to kill all of the young adults and investors hat took his town and evicted his mother. His act of revenge serves as the foundation for the character’s growth as he puts on the face of his “mother” and becomes his best attempt at a stable adult. However, his version of stability is more about violence and dismemberment than moving on. And as Leatherface continues his path of carnage, the film begins to show that he has his own code.
When Sally Hardesty faces Leatherface, he doesn’t recognize her at first and even leaves her alone, instead focusing on killing his unwelcomed guests. The scene proves that Leatherface doesn’t kill because it makes him happy, unlike other slashers. Instead, he sees killing as a necessity or punishment. As a result of this twisted code, he’s a unique slasher because, unlike other killers, there’s a genuine chance that someone could survive when facing him. It also shows his growing maturity in restraining his more violent tendencies.
Leatherface’s tale of growing up is juxtaposed with another main character, Lilah, who survived a school shooting and is forced to face even more chaos at the hands of Leatherface. But as he begins to figure out what type of killer he will be, Lilah learns about herself, and in doing so, she becomes stronger and uses her trauma as a tool for survival.
Leatherface is an unlikely addition to the slasher pantheon, even decades after his first appearance. While he’s always been a weapon used by his family, this version can go his own way and make his own choices. While it’s clear he will remain that deadly killer from before, his story of self-actualization is a big deal for the character because he knows what he’s about. Like Lilah, he can face the world confident in who he is, with the only difference being the person he’s become is far more deadly.
To see Leatherface go his own way, Texas Chainsaw Massacre is now streaming on Netflix.
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