Leatherface was one of the most eagerly-anticipated horror movies of the year but, sadly, Frightfest 2017 attendees were among some of the only fans who got to check the film out on the big screen (a sad trend that also affected Cult Of Chucky, which played the festival alongside it).
The flick, which boasted one of the coolest red band trailers in recent memory, charts the rise of the titular killer from wholesome (maybe?) kid to chainsaw-wielding maniac in the backwoods of Texas. In keeping with Rob Zombie’s Halloween, it’s a decidedly grittier take than its source material.
Directors Alexandre Bustillo and Julien Maury were a celebrated choice to helm the prequel, their pregnancy-horror movie Inside a fan favourite that showcased their control of tone and flair for quick bursts of shocking, gooey gore. Leatherface, in spite of itself, seemed like a good fit for them.
In Texas, years before the events of the Texas Chain Saw Massacre, in the early days of the infamous Sawyer family, the youngest child is sentenced to a mental hospital after a suspicious incident leaves the sheriffs’ daughter dead. Ten years later, he kidnaps a young nurse and escapes with 3 other inmates. Pursued by authorities including the deranged sheriff out to avenge his daughter’s death, the young Sawyer teen goes on a violent road trip from hell, molding him into the monster known now as Leatherface
The movie stars Stephen Dorff and Finn Jones, alongside up-and-comers as the young Sawyer family. Check out our review of Leatherface here.
Wicked Horror caught up with Bustillo and Maury on the Frightfest red carpet to talk prequels, gore and when trailers flat-out lie to us.
Interview conducted by: Joey Keogh
Camera: Richard Waters
Editing: Richard Waters
