Chain Reactions

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Chain Reactions

In Theaters Fri Sep 19

1h 43m

Documentary

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20 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

Brian Orndorf

Blu-ray.com

“Chain Reactions” has stretches of stillness and less interesting perspectives, but there’s a love for “The Texas Chain Saw Massacre” and its special moviemaking presence that’s fascinating to hear about.

Rated: B

Sep 17, 2025

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Laura Clifford

Reeling Reviews

...a must see for any fan of the film and may just convince those on the fence or who haven't yet taken the plunge of its worth.

Rated: A-

Sep 16, 2025

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Avi Offer

NYC Movie Guru

It's a pretty straightforward documentary with a conventional structure, but it offers a lot of illuminating observations from the very bright, talented and articulate artists.

Sep 15, 2025

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Emily von Seele

Daily Dead

Alexandre Philippe is an amazing filmmaker who consistently dives into the world of cinema in a way that is critical and thought-provoking.

Rated: 5/5

Sep 14, 2025

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Mike McGranaghan

Aisle Seat

Chain Reactions is chock full of tantalizing insights.

Rated: 3.5/4

Aug 23, 2025

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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