Leatherface (2017 film)

Leatherface is a 2017 American horror film directed by Julien Maury and Alexandre Bustillo, and written by Seth M. Sherwood. It is a prequel to The Texas Chain Saw Massacre franchise, and serves as an origin story for the titular character, Leatherface. The film stars Stephen Dorff, Vanessa Grasse, Sam Strike, and Lili Taylor.

The plot follows a young Leatherface escaping from a mental institution with three other inmates. A vengeful Sheriff Hartman (Dorff) pursues them while one of the escapees descends into madness and violence, ultimately becoming the monstrous Leatherface. The film explores themes of mental illness, family dysfunction, and the creation of a killer.

Leatherface was released on DirecTV on September 21, 2017, before receiving a limited theatrical release on October 20, 2017, by Lionsgate. The film received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its visual style and gore, while others criticized its plot and character development. Its place within the established Texas Chain Saw Massacre canon has also been a subject of debate amongst fans.