The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974)

The Texas Chain Saw Massacre (1974), directed by Tobe Hooper, is a landmark horror film that redefined the genre with its raw intensity and disturbing realism. Inspired loosely by serial killer Ed Gein, the film follows a group of friends who encounter a family of cannibals in rural Texas, including the iconic Leatherface. Shot on a minimal budget with documentary-style cinematography, its gritty atmosphere and relentless tension created an unprecedented sense of terror. Despite its title, the film shows little graphic violence, achieving horror through psychological dread and unsettling sound design. Now considered a classic, it spawned numerous sequels and remains one of cinema's most influential horror works.