5 Faces Of Leatherface (And What Your Most Frightening Says About You)

3. The Angry Adolescent - Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990)

"Go get the meat!" €“ Leatherface: The Texas Chainsaw Massacre III (1990) Arguably, Texas Chainsaw III is the first time the Leatherface character really conforms to typical slasher modus operandi (or should that be morbid-us operan-die? Sometimes I feel like the Crypt Keeper and I would have been besties). In this third installment, he appears much like Jason Voorhees or Michael Myers. Most of his intriguingly depraved characteristics have been stripped away, leaving him just a disgruntled boy with a chainsaw in Texas. Much like a disgruntled boy with a machete in Camp Crystal Lake. Since his family was entirely destroyed in Texas Chainsaw Part 2, Leatherface had to find himself some new relatives. He ended up settling with a pre-Lord of the Rings Viggo Mortensen along with an eclectic group of degenerates. Not bad. This time there are even some fanatic female family members as well, which perhaps takes care of his need to fill the role of mother. The problem is, it's unclear what role that leaves him to fill. Despite these detractors, characterization of Leatherface has not been entirely abandoned. At least, not yet. One charming little scene depicts Leatherface trying to better himself by learning how to spell. Unfortunately, he keeps spelling the word "clown" as F.O.O.D. On top of that, he rebels against authority, is interested in sex and listens to loud music. Now, you try to tell me he isn't a product of teen angst. Adolescence is an awkward part of everyone's life. Perhaps the appealing (or disturbing) quality of Leatherface in this film is the fact that he seems to be going through universally relatable changes. Homicidal tendencies aside, he's just a kid struggling to make sense of the turmoil both within himself and in the world around him. He's just growing up, and who can't empathise with growing pains? However, you don't necessarily have to be an angry teenager to relate to this incarnation. In this film, the character might appeal to you because of your own desire for unrestrained anarchy. Perhaps you long to break free from whatever it is that oppresses you, be it your annoying high school teacher, or your new tyrannical boss who strangely reminds you of your annoying high school teacher. Or, Leatherface could represent your fear of the chaos that inevitably ensues once anarchy is embraced. To break free and ride a wild bull can be liberating, but also devastating. This is Leatherface's enticingly devious duality. He just might unleash the anarchist in you.