Curry Barker Has Big Plans for the Sawyer Family in A24’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre Reimagining

On 2 May 2026, Curry Barker teased his plans for the A24 reboot of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre in a new interview, and it sounds like Leatherface might actually be the least terrifying person on that farm.

Barker was tapped to write and direct the project, billed by insiders as a “reimagining” of the 1974 horror classic created by Tobe Hooper and Kim Henkel. He cut his teeth making YouTube horror pics before his TIFF Midnight Madness title Obsession got snapped up by Focus Features for $15 million. Now A24 is handing him one of horror’s most iconic franchises. No pressure.

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre

Speaking to Total Film, Barker laid out his priorities: “I think of it as respecting the source material. I absolutely love the original film, but I want to do something that’s different. I’m not gonna stray away too far from what we know, but just making it stronger.”

What interests Barker most is exploring the Sawyer family specifically — not just the franchise’s most iconic character, Bubba “Leatherface” Sawyer. That’s a notable shift from how most entries in the series have operated.

He continued, per Bloody Disgusting: “Really, I want to lean into the uncomfortability of the family. I want to lean into the rawness of what’s going on there. There’s some really messed-up stuff happening at that farm.”

So, a Texas Chainsaw movie with actual character depth and something to say about the people doing the chainsaw-ing. Wild concept.

Obsession currently holds a 96% on Rotten Tomatoes, and originally earned an NC-17 rating before being adjusted to secure an R-rated theatrical release — which speaks to just how far Barker is willing to push material.

UK horror fans will want to note that Obsession opens in theaters on 15 May, which should give British audiences a solid preview of Barker’s instincts before he fires up the chainsaw. The film had its UK reception flagged early by SciFiNow, which called it a “buzzy horror film” with serious momentum behind it.

The new film will be produced by Roy Lee and Steven Schneider of Spooky Pictures, alongside Stuart Manashil. Pat Cassidy, Ian Henkel, and original co-writer Kim Henkel of Exurbia Films also produce. Ben Ross of Image Nation serves as executive producer.

A24 is also separately developing a Texas Chainsaw Massacre television series, with Strange Darling filmmaker JT Mollner attached to direct and Glen Powell and Dan Cohen producing. Two Chainsaw projects at once. A24 is not playing around.

No release date has been announced for Barker’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre yet. We’ll keep you posted on updates about The Texas Chainsaw Massacre as the project develops.