Why The Texas Chain Saw Massacre’s Ending Haunts Horror Fans Decades Later

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As a die-hard enthusiast of horror films (who gets easily frightened by certain ones), I’ve managed to catch quite a few scary movies.

To clarify, among the most terrifying films ever made, I’ve had the chance to watch an impressive number of them. Therefore, take my word for it: I’ve seen countless horror movie conclusions, and that number is definitely in the hundreds.

Among all the countless movies I’ve watched, I firmly believe that the most impactful finale I’ve encountered is undeniably from the 1974 film “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre”. This movie, in its entirety, is a must-watch if you haven’t seen it already. However, the ending has left an indelible mark on me for over 25 years – a memory that originated when I first watched it. Let me explain why.

The Ending Is Arguably The Most Unsettling Part Of The Entire Movie

Have you ever seen the undervalued masterpiece, “The Butterfly Effect”? One aspect of that film that I adore is its eerie and disquieting nature.

To put it another way, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre pales in comparison. The entire film is filmed with a style that makes it seem more like a real-life documentary than a work of fiction. Thus, when characters are brutally murdered on screen, it feels eerily authentic, as if we’re not just spectators, but unwitting witnesses to a grisly reality.

The entire scenario is disturbing, but what really resonates with me is the unsettling ending, where it’s revealed that Leatherface (Gunnar Hansen) remains at large and more unhinged than before! Not only that, but the final sequences show our lone survivor, Sally (Marilyn Burns), escaping the horrific house after a harrowing night of terror. This comes after a man resembling a corpse attempts to strike her with a hammer, you should know. Once she manages to escape, she’s swiftly pursued by the hitchhiker from earlier in the film and Leatherface himself, who’s relentlessly chasing her with his chainsaw.

In this scenario, the hitchhiker unfortunately gets hit by a truck, a turn of events some may find satisfying, yet Leatherface, like a wild beast freed from its cage, is an unsettling presence. The truck driver attempts a daring rescue, even throwing a wrench at Leatherface, but the deranged individual miraculously recovers and continues his pursuit. Meanwhile, Sally manages to escape into another vehicle as Leatherface relentlessly chases after her.

When she escapes, Leatherface unleashes his raging chainsaw madly, leaving only the chilling sound of its whirring blades spinning in circles. There’s no peaceful resolution or justice served, just a haunting reminder that this bloodthirsty maniac is still loose and ready to strike again. This sudden, unsettling conclusion never fails to give me the creeps!

Yes, There Were Sequels, But Leatherface Swinging Around His Chainsaw Didn’t Need Any

Similar to many horror series, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre has several follow-ups and reboots (it’s worth noting that, much like other horror franchises, the majority of these sequels don’t live up to the original).

In summary, the conclusion of the initial film was so powerful that it leaves me with a genuine conviction that it could have been the perfect place to wrap up the story.

Given that Leatherface’s chaotic chainsaw antics seem fitting to wrap up the narrative, one might question the logic behind his efficient slaughter of victims. After all, his character lacks any discernible intellect or verbal communication, leaving us in the dark about his emotional landscape. However, we do catch a glimpse of his humanity when he screams upon injuring himself, suggesting he is indeed human and not some mindless monster like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees. Yet, the question remains: what kind of man is Leatherface?

The charm and the dread lie within this mystery. We’re clueless, and the thought that a dangerous madman might be at large, craving destruction, is truly chilling.

The finale is utterly chaotic, with Leatherface seemingly searching for another victim by spinning erratically, causing the camera to struggle to keep pace with his frenzied behavior. Unlike any other scene in the series, this one feels raw, intense, and terrifyingly real. It’s particularly chilling given that the second film is a complete comedy contrast.

It’s A Happy Ending…Or Is It?

When Sally escapes, she’s laughing hysterically, which is a happy ending, right?

In another perspective, when she watches Leatherface become smaller and smaller as the truck drives away, it might seem like a victorious laugh. It could imply that she has won, saying “I beat you, you son of a bitch! I survived!” in essence.

Alternatively, it might indicate a person who’s broken down entirely due to the relentless stress, and that’s how I’ve always seen the laughter at the end as symbolizing this.

In later movies, we discover that Sally was deeply affected by the incidents from the first film, yet I appreciate the mystery and intrigue surrounding those closing scenes.

While it seems like a joyous outcome that she lived through it, I’m not quite sure what there is to be joyful about, given that all her friends have perished.

Lastly, I Don’t Think Any Other Horror Movie Ending Has Left A More Lasting Impression On Me

Ultimately, I can’t imagine another horror movie ending that left such an impact on me and had me reflecting on it as much as this one did.

It’s worth noting that despite my fondness for horror films, I find very few manage to pull off a truly satisfying ending. There are exceptions like “Hereditary” and “Midsommar”, which I often can’t decide which is more terrifying. Another one is “The Fly”, with its rather sudden, disturbing conclusion. Not forgetting “The Shining”, with Jack Nicholson’s chilling photograph scene.

Besides the movies mentioned earlier, none other has left me feeling as unsettled as the one in Texas Chain Saw. The ending is so chilling that I don’t need to rewatch the entire film; instead, I can simply head to YouTube and watch the final few minutes.

As a film enthusiast, I can’t help but be captivated by endings that leave a lasting impact, and the finale of “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” is one such example. Just like the opening scene from “Terminator 2: Judgment Day” has been etched into my memory for as long as I can recall, so too has the ending of this horror classic remained vivid in my mind, rent-free, over the years.

What do you think? Do you also love this ending? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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2025-07-13 23:09