Editor’s note: Spoilers ahead! Proceed with caution.
While it may have proved to be quite divisive, horror fans were treated to a brand new entry in one of the genre’s most enduring franchises with the release of Netflix’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre over the weekend. Much like 2018’s Halloween, this more or less serves as a continuation of Tobe Hooper’s original genre classic from 1974, with Leatherface back out for blood in modern times. Like so many franchise flicks these days, there is indeed a little post-credits scene attached to director David Blue Garcia’s film, and it is probably worth talking about what it means for the potential future of the franchise.
One more warning: major spoilers ahead for Netflix’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
After the town of Harlow, Texas suffers an absolute bloodbath at the hands of a re-awakened Leatherface, sisters Melody (Sarah Yarkin) and Lila (Elsie Fisher) get the keys to their Tesla and attempt to get out of town as the only survivors of the latest massacre. They seemingly defeated Leatherface in one of the town’s abandoned buildings, leaving him bleeding and drowning in a pool of water conveniently placed in the middle of the floor. But this is a horror movie in a legacy franchise, damn it. Did anyone really think he was dead?
As the sisters speed off in their car, with the address programmed in and autopilot engaged, they have one nice moment of thinking this nightmare is behind them before Leatherface’s big, angry fist breaks the window, dragging Melody out of the car. Meanwhile, Lila can’t stop the vehicle because autopilot mode is engaged. Our villain then uses his trusty chainsaw to remove the poor girl’s head while her sister watches. Brutal. Cue the credits.
So, what’s Leatherface to do now that his once-peaceful town of Melody is no longer an option? As the old saying goes, there’s no place like home. After the credits finish rolling, we see his big-booted footsteps walking up a dirt path until the camera pans up to show us the killer’s final destination. Bringing things full circle, he walks back to his old house, the one from the original Texas Chain Saw Massacre. Are there any residents there that will be at the wrong end of his chainsaw? That remains up in the air, but it’s clear that he plans to go back to his old haunt to do God knows what.
The implication of this is quite clear: if we are to get a sequel, it would seemingly go back to Hooper’s original setting, taking us back to that original house with Leatherface back where he belongs. Might we actually circle back to cannibalism if that does happen? Amazingly enough, a defining element of the franchise was missing from the new film (as well as several other previous entries). The answer to that question depends on whether or not a sequel happens at all, the film has been firmly on Netflix’s most-watched list since its debut, despite being met with mixed reviews. We’ll see what Legendary and Netflix want to do about it in the coming weeks. Either way, the stage is set for the further adventures of Leatherface.
Texas Chainsaw Massacre is now streaming on Netflix.
