Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022 Has One Specific Thing In Common With The Original

The sequel Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2022) cleverly shares a trait with the 1974 original. The first Texas Chainsaw Massacre was controversial upon initial release but has since cemented itself as a horror classic, and is considered one of the earliest examples of a slasher film. Serving as both a reboot of the series and a sequel to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre, the 2022 requel aims to offer a unique spin on the story, while still paying homage to the original.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022 features multiple Easter eggs, making it clear that while it’s a fresh take on the franchise, it exists within the same universe as the original and has no desire to erase the canon of the 1974 film. Although there are some more obvious ties to the movie that kickstarted the franchise – such as the return of the original final girl, Sally Hardesty (played by Marilyn Burns in The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and Olwen Fouéré in Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022), some are more subtle.

One of the most clever references in the requel is its runtime of 1 hour and 23 minutes, the exact same runtime as the original film. Given the many references in Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022, it’s unlikely that this is a coincidence; it’s a sneaky metafictional way to acknowledge the first film in the horror movie series. Despite coming in at under 90 minutes, The Texas Chain Saw Massacre featured multiple deaths and the introduction of several iconic characters, including Sally and recurring Texas Chainsaw Massacre villain Leatherface. Tobe Hooper’s original film used its runtime wisely, and the unsettling tone of several scenes makes the movie seem longer than it is, drawing out the tension.

Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022 attempts to elicit a similar feeling in audiences, and sharing the runtime of the original film can help it achieve that. So far, the reviews for 2022’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre have largely been negative; still, the film does offer lots of nods to the iconic 1974 movie. The copied runtime suggests that the requel was trying to stay true to the spirit of the original film, even as it explores different ideas and new themes.

Although Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022 is determined to be a unique film in its own right, it openly shows love to its predecessors in a variety of ways. Similar to the reboots and sequels of other popular franchises such as Scream and Halloween, the latest addition to the Texas Chainsaw franchise had to strike the perfect balance between paying respects to 1974’s The Texas Chain Saw Massacre and updating the film for a modern audience and a contemporary world. While it may not be the most obvious of homages, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 2022 having the exact same runtime as the original movie is a sweet little Easter egg for fans to enjoy, without allowing the original’s legacy to overshadow what’s to come.

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