Curry Barker Promises a Brutal, Emotional Take on ‘Texas Chainsaw Massacre’

Curry Barker’s Obsession is set to hit theaters next month, and for those unfamiliar with his work, that is about to change. A distinctive young voice, Barker has shown a rare ability to connect audiences with his characters while also pushing material to its extremes. As previously reported, Obsession originally earned an NC-17 rating before being dialed back to secure an R-rated theatrical release. Taken together, it positions him as a compelling and arguably ideal choice to take on The Texas Chainsaw Massacre and its iconic killer, Leatherface.

It was announced just weeks ago that Barker will direct the next installment of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre for A24. With Obsession arriving soon, Barker has been making the press rounds, where he was asked about his vision for the new film and what audiences can expect from his take on the long-running horror series.

“I know there’s a lot of remakes. I’ve seen in some of the comments in the announcements that I’m doing it [that] a lot of people are excited about it, but a lot of people are like, ‘put this thing to bed, it’s all been done,'” said Barker, before getting dead serious: “I beg to differ. Seriously. I really think that the potential for that series has not been fully realized.

“I think a lot of the remakes went the opposite direction it should have gone,” he added. “I’m really excited to do a Texas Chainsaw Massacre that’s not just about a guy chasing some people around with a chainsaw, that has some heart to it.

“You care about these characters and want to see them survive, and you know, it’s brutal.”

“I love the original,” he said of Tobe Hooper’s seminal 1974 classic. “I think that one is really raw and was really good for its time.”

He also has a special place in his heart for the New Line Cinema/Platinum Dunes remake directed by Marcus Nispel: “I actually think the 2003 remake is actually quite good too, but it could also be from… there’s a nostalgia there.”

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre debuted in 1974, followed by in 1986. The series continued with in 1990 and in 1995. A remake arrived with New Line Cinema and Platinum Dunes’ in 2003, followed by the prequel in 2006. The franchise was revived again at Lionsgate with in 2013, then in 2017, and most recently in 2022 for Netflix.