The Sawyer Massacre

I heard about The Sawyer Massacre before checking it out and had certain expectations. Although it started out slowly, the story was good. The "scary" parts were fewer and farther between than I expected and there were some mild gore parts. The scenery and cinematography were what I found most interesting. The acting is solid, some of the characters are developed nicely. You don't really care about anyone, except for Jimmy and Allison played by Jordan O'Neal and Nika Louw. For those looking for a diverting, low budget horror experience with a creepy and thrilling ending, this movie ain't half bad.

If you're a fan then prepared to be amazed by this outstanding film delivered by non other than Steve Merlo. It's really authentic to the 1970's original and brings a creepy atmosphere to Texas. The cast were magnificent in this, the main characters especially. I felt like they were the strongest part of the film. Supporting characters could have been chosen better, and I guess that's my only flaw in this. The Sawyer family were brilliantly cast for their iconic roles and stayed true to the original actors. This was definitely better than TCM: The Beginning, by any means. Tobe Hooper would be proud!

The Sawyer Massacre is a standout fan film that pays a hauntingly authentic tribute to Tobe Hooper's 1974 classic The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. What truly sets this film apart is its expert direction and meticulous editing, which together recreate the raw, unsettling atmosphere of the original.

The direction is a masterclass in capturing the essence of 1970s horror. The film's pacing mirrors the slow-burn tension of the original, building dread without relying on over-the-top scares. The choice to minimize the musical score enhances the sense of isolation and unease, allowing ambient sounds to amplify the horror. Merlo's attention to detail in recreating the look and feel of the era is evident, from the vintage vehicles to the rustic interiors, immersing the audience in the time period.

The editing in The Sawyer Massacre is both precise and gritty, effectively mirroring the rawness of the original film. The use of jump cuts and abrupt transitions heightens the sense of chaos and unpredictability, keeping viewers on edge. The film's pacing is deliberate, allowing moments of tension to breathe before delivering shocking reveals. This careful editing ensures that each scene contributes to the mounting sense of dread, culminating in a climax that is both satisfying and terrifying.

Well I am impressed! I tend to be very wary of "FAN FILMS" and indeed many disappoint, others don't get the source material but this one is a gem. You can see the love for the source material and honestly better than some low budget or Asylum films. Bravo! Exceptional for a fan film showing the professionals what it is like when you "get" and respect the ideas and concepts of the material. I was entertained and in the end that is what counts. I'll keep my eye on these guys to see what else they come up with. If you are a fan I recommend checking it out, don't expect HOLLYWOOD budget or production values but just an effort that shows the love.

I was pleasantly surprised by this low budget indie.

The location was ideal and set the tone for the film. The characters of Drayton, Leather Face and Rex were sufficiently menacing and they carried the story along nicely. The victims characters were interesting and they had back stories that fleshed them out. I believe great care was taken to keep the "look" authentic to the time period (vehicles, home decor ect.) . The butcher room was scary and blood covered giving the victims no hope of escape. Steve Merlo will be a name to follow and I look forward to his future projects. I think it was an awesome idea to release this fan film on YouTube allowing it as much exposure as possible. Nice job Steve and crew the film kept me entertained.