Chain Reactions

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Chain Reactions

In Theaters Fri Sep 19

1h 43m

Documentary

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16 Reviews

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Fifty years after Tobe Hooper's THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE shocked the world and forever changed the face of global cinema and popular culture, CHAIN REACTIONS charts the film's profound impact and lasting influence on five great artists -- Patton Oswalt, Takashi Miike, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Stephen King, and Karyn Kusama -- through early memories, sensory experiences, and childhood trauma. By crafting a dynamic dialogue between contemporary footage and never-before-seen outtakes and delving into personal impressions triggered by distinct audiovisual formats (16mm, 35mm, VHS, digital), CHAIN REACTIONS goes to the heart of how a scruffy, no-budget independent film wormed its way into our collective nightmares and permanently altered the zeitgeist.

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In Theaters Fri Sep 19

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Alexandre O. Philippe

Director

Patton Oswalt

Self

Takashi Miike

Self

Stephen King

Self

Karyn Kusama

Self

Alexandre O. Philippe

Screenwriter

Christian Zilko

IndieWire

Exploration of our inexplicable attraction to horror is the true theme of the brilliantly titled “Chain Reactions.”

Rated: B

Sep 23, 2024

Full Review

Mike McGranaghan

Aisle Seat

Chain Reactions is chock full of tantalizing insights.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 23, 2025

Full Review

Jason Adams

My New Plaid Pants

Fifty years on it's damned near impossible to find new things to say about a film as discussed & dissected as TCM has been, but the terrific Chain Reactions does a bang-up job

Aug 15, 2025

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Grant Watson

Fiction Machine

It goes without saying that Chain Reactions is a very entertaining watch for fans of Hooper’s film, or for those interested in film genre and culture.

Rated: 7/10

Aug 6, 2025

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Michael Ward

Should I See It

Chain Reactions does all it can to convince the non-believers.

Rated: 4/5

May 23, 2025

Full Review

Brent McKnight

The Last Thing I See

For fans of one of the greatest horror movies ever, watching these genre luminaries share their insights is a pleasure.

Rated: B

May 16, 2025

Full Review

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Chain Reactions: Trailer 2

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Chain Reactions: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

Fifty years after Tobe Hooper's THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE shocked the world and forever changed the face of global cinema and popular culture, CHAIN REACTIONS charts the film's profound impact and lasting influence on five great artists -- Patton Oswalt, Takashi Miike, Alexandra Heller-Nicholas, Stephen King, and Karyn Kusama -- through early memories, sensory experiences, and childhood trauma. By crafting a dynamic dialogue between contemporary footage and never-before-seen outtakes and delving into personal impressions triggered by distinct audiovisual formats (16mm, 35mm, VHS, digital), CHAIN REACTIONS goes to the heart of how a scruffy, no-budget independent film wormed its way into our collective nightmares and permanently altered the zeitgeist.

Director: Alexandre O. Philippe
Screenwriter: Alexandre O. Philippe
Distributor: Dark Sky Films
Genre: Documentary
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 19, 2025, Limited
Runtime: 1h 43m