Stephen King Opens Up About How reacts to ‘The Texas Chainsaw Massarce … 2025

Widely regarded as one of the greatest horror films ever made,

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre continues to terrify audiences nearly five decades after its release. Even Stephen King—often called the “Master of Horror”—confessed that the film left a lasting impression on him.In a recent interview with Variety, King admitted he didn’t catch Tobe Hooper’s 1974 classic during its original release.

Instead, he finally watched it in 1982 while living in Colorado. At the time, King was a young father balancing his rising writing career with everyday financial pressures.

“I should say that I never saw The Texas Chainsaw Massacre when it came out,” King recalled. “I saw it in 1982 in Colorado. At the time, I was a young father, writing constantly just to keep the bill collectors at bay. I was in the theater almost by myself. That’s when a movie really works on you—it gets its cold little fingers under your skin.”

Why The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Felt So Real to King

King explained that what made the film so unsettling was its raw, authentic quality. The film carried that faded, grainy aesthetic so common in 1970s cinema.You could tell the print had been around for a while, and it was better for it—it just looked real,” he said.

The lack of polish, he argued, added to its effectiveness: “There’s no artifice, no buildup, no character nuance. In the graveyard scenes, those weren’t extras—they looked like they came straight out of a small Texas town. It’s fantastic.”

A Horror Master Who Still Gets Scared

For King—whose own works like Carrie, The Shining, Cujo, and IT have terrified generations—admitting that another creator’s film managed to get under his skin is no small thing. Few horror movies have the power to unnerve one of the most prolific and influential writers in the genre.

The revelation comes from Chain Reactions,

a new documentary exploring the cultural legacy of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The film, premiering September 19 in New York City, highlights how Hooper’s gritty masterpiece shaped the vision of five different creatives, including King.Nearly 51 years after its release, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre still manages to chill even the most seasoned horror fans.

And when Stephen King—the man who gave the world haunted hotels,

killer clowns, and ghostly children—calls it one of the scariest films he’s ever seen, it’s a testament to its enduring terror.Stephen King, one of the most legendary names in horror fiction, recently opened up about why The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974) remains one of the most disturbing films ever made.

Featured in the new documentary Chain Reactions, King reflected on his first time watching the movie and why its raw, stripped-down style made it unforgettable.

“I was in the theater almost by myself. That’s when a movie really works on you—it gets its cold little fingers under your skin,” King recalled.The film had that faded, gritty visual style typical of 1970s horror. You could tell the print had been around for a while, and it was better for it because it just looked real. There’s no artifice, no buildup, no character nuance. Even the graveyard scenes—they weren’t extras. They looked like real locals from a Texas town. It’s fantastic.”

Chain Reactions: Exploring the Legacy of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

The documentary Chain Reactions, directed by Alexandre O. Philippe, celebrates the 50th anniversary of Tobe Hooper’s groundbreaking horror film. Alongside Stephen King, the film features perspectives from comedian Patton Oswalt, acclaimed Japanese director Takashi Miike (13 Assassins), filmmaker.

Karyn Kusama (Jennifer’s Body), and horror critic Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.

Philippe is no stranger to dissecting pop culture, with past works including 78/52 (about Hitchcock’s Psycho) and Memory: The Origins of Alien. With Chain Reactions, he dives deep into how The Texas Chainsaw Massacre changed the horror genre forever. The documentary is currently screening in New York and Los Angeles, with a nationwide release set for September 26.

Why The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Still Matters

Released in 1974, Tobe Hooper’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is often hailed as one of the scariest horror movies ever made. Its disturbing atmosphere, documentary-like realism, and unforgettable villain Leatherface (played by Gunnar Hansen) set a new standard for fear on screen. Despite eight sequels and reboots, none have ever matched the cultural impact of the original.

The franchise is far from finished, however—reports suggest.

A24 is close to acquiring the rights for future projects, which could breathe new life into Leatherface’s terrifying saga. Currently, the original Texas Chainsaw Massacre is streaming on Netflix and Peacock, allowing a new generation of horror fans to experience it.

Our Take on King’s Comments

Hearing Stephen King—a writer responsible for terrifying stories like Carrie, The Shining, Cujo, and IT—admit that this movie still unsettles him is powerful. It’s proof that Hooper’s masterpiece transcends time, continuing to haunt even the most seasoned masters of horror.

Just as Christopher Nolan has admitted his love for unexpected.

franchises and Martin Scorsese has praised modern indie films, it’s fascinating to see King reveal what truly frightens him. In this case, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s gritty realism and relentless horror still make it one of the most chilling movies in cinematic history.Do you consider yourself a fan of .

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre If so, the new documentary Chain Reactions may be right up your alley.

The film features a rare clip of Stephen King discussing the horror classic, and his words show just how deeply it got under his skin.

Nearly fifty years after its release, Tobe Hooper’s 1974 masterpiece isn’t just considered one of the most influential horror movies ever made—it’s still capable of unsettling audiences today.

Chain Reactions: Exploring a Horror Legacy

Directed by Alexandre O. Philippe, Chain Reactions dives into the cultural and cinematic impact of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. The documentary features five creatives reflecting on how the film shaped their work and their view of horror:

Stephen King – legendary horror author

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Patton Oswalt – comedian and actor

Takashi Miike – director of 13 Assassins

Karyn Kusama – filmmaker behind Jennifer’s Body

Alexandra Heller-Nicholas – horror critic and scholar

Stephen King Admits the Film Terrified Him

Although Stephen King has created some of the scariest stories in modern history, from IT to The Shining, he confessed that The Texas Chainsaw Massacre rattled him in a way few movies have.King explained that he didn’t see the film until 1982, years after its release:I saw it in 1982 in Colorado.

Watching it nearly alone in a theater made the experience even more chilling.

“That’s when a movie really has a tendency to work on you—to get its cold little fingers under your skin. You could tell the print had been around for a while, and it was better for it, because it just looks real.”

What stood out most to King was the film’s raw authenticity:

In the graveyard scenes, those weren’t extras—they weren’t Hollywood people at all. They looked like they came from the nearest little Texas town. It’s fantastic.”

Why This Matters for Horror Fans

Hearing Stephen King—arguably the greatest horror writer of all time—praise The Texas Chainsaw Massacre shows how powerful Hooper’s film remains. The gritty, realistic atmosphere still resonates with both fans and creators, cementing its place as one of the greatest horror films ever made.

With Chain Reactions now shining a spotlight on its enduring influence, horror lovers have another reason to revisit Leatherface’s terrifying world.