Arguably one of the most uncomfortable and disturbing horror films ever made, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre hit theaters in 1974 and claimed the spot of one of the scariest horror films of its time. Due to the simplicity of the cinematography, the heart-pounding jumpscares, and the screams of the main characters, everything about this movie ranks it as one of the classics.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is unique in the way it presents its horror. Rather than throwing jumpscares left and right or using special effects to make the events appear more terrifying, the movie is filmed with grainy cameras and uses its unexpectedness to shock you with exactly what takes place in this small house in the middle of Texas. The film plays to its strengths by using disturbing images immediately, opening with a gruesome portrait of death in the first few minutes. From then on, the entire story does its best to create this uncomfortable atmosphere, from the monster of the story, Leatherface, to the main house and its ‘decorations.’ At some points, I felt disgust churning in my stomach because of how strange the movie is. The scares themselves caught me completely off guard, since there was absolutely no build up. One minute, one of the characters would be searching around the house, and the next Leatherface would move out of a doorway and chase them.

It’s because of this that The Texas Chainsaw Massacre has become such a cult classic. The scares aren’t cheesy or overdone, and the entire film displays the absolute worst side of humanity in the best way possible. Even though the general plot is weak, it doesn’t need something super complicated to accomplish its goal. In fact, the movie was filmed with an overall budget of $300,000 and made millions more than than that in the box office. It’s something that will stick with you forever, a movie that leaves you with an awful taste in your mouth and wondering exactly what the fate of Leatherface was. The final scene of the movie is confusing, as Leatherface swings his chainsaw aimlessly, and the abrupt ending left me wondering. Leatherface himself is one of the most memorable parts of the film, as his disturbing mask imprints on your mind and his chainsaw is a harbinger of death. Leatherface is the grandfather of the modern ‘slasher’ character, a stoic figure that only serves purpose as a murderer.

Along with Leatherface himself, the rest of the movie follows the recipe for the classic slasher film. A group of characters traveling across the country, gets caught in a small town, and face the worst nightmare of their lives. Their cliché decision-making also adds to the slasher-esque feel of the film. At some points, I was yelling for Sally (the main character) to do anything other than flee up the stairs, or do more than just scream. But that’s why we love horror films. We love the slight realism to it, knowing that if we were in the same place as Sally we might do the same.

What sets this movie apart from the typical horror film is the fact that since it never states explicitly what is going on, your brain simply fills in the gaps with the worst things you can imagine. You never see the blood spurting from the characters as they die, but the horrific sound of the chainsaw is enough to imprint that scene in your mind for the rest of the film. It gives you just enough fuel for your imagination to run wild without spelling it out for you, and that makes it all the more horrifying. Even the next morning, I still had questions I needed answers to, still had scenes that wouldn’t leave my head because I never quite knew what went on. And even though the characters’ appearances and language date the film a little, I could almost ignore that and still imagine that it took place today.

Overall, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is something that’s hard to forget. It’s an experience more than a movie because of the lingering doubt in the back of your mind. The subtlety and uncomfortable atmosphere creates the perfect mixture for a horror film that exceeds horror. It’s because of this that The Texas Chainsaw Massacre is a classic. If you like something short, terrifying, and incredibly uncomfortable, this is a great way to kick off your October horror watching party.