Review of “Chainsaws Were Singing”: Bizarre horror

Chainsaws sang has some memorable brutality and special effects, but the outlandish plot and cheap humor diminish the quality.

When “twins” is mentioned as part of the plot, you have a good idea of ​​what kind of unusual narrative awaits you. I can confirm that Sander Maran’s film certainly crosses boundaries and bold, experimental and crazy from start to finish.

Chainsaws sang follows two individuals abandoned by luck, whom fate introduces to each other. Tom (Karl-Joosep Ilves) is heartbroken after his girlfriend leaves him. Maria (Laura Niils), on the other hand, has experienced a series of misfortunes in her life that have led to depression. When Tom sees Maria moping in a river, he immediately falls in love with her and the two find comfort in each other. Their time together is short-lived, however, when a murderous man with a chainsaw (Martin Ruus) kidnaps Maria. Tom must now save his lover before anything happens to her, with the help of his new friend Jaan (Janno Puusepp).

Although I admire the filmmakers of Chainsaws sang for their creative vision and ambition in mixing multiple genres and themes, the feature so absurd that it completely lost me early on. After a promising opening scene where the cruel killer hunts Maria, we later meet the killer’s bloodthirsty family (who practice cannibalism) and twins in an incestuous relationship. Although there will be an audience for this kind of over-the-top surrealism, the film’s quirky scenarios, parody-like approach to storytelling and crude humor will not be for everyone.

During the entire term Chainsaws sang integrates horror and comedy relatively well and maintains a consistently quirky, ironic tone. However, the feature feels extremely longwith lengthy singing sequences and repetitive concepts. Moreover, some elements of the film seem randomly inserted into the narrative. Take, for example, characters who somehow get into cars without opening a door to enter the vehicle. While such ridiculousness fits the absurd and exaggerated nature of the film, it adds little to the story and seems randomly inserted without any logic.

Another disadvantage is that the film often relies on down-to-earth humor (such as a random reference to sexual acts) and boring physical gags for laughs. While this may entertain viewers who enjoy this type of comedy, it didn’t work for me. As someone who prefers much more intelligent and subtle humor, this comedic approach became tiresome after a short while.

All in all, Chainsaws sang has some positive aspects. The film biggest advantage is his unforgettable, blatant bloodthat will impress even the most seasoned horror fan. Given the film’s low budget, the excellent special effects are also commendable. The kill scenes are not only creative but also eerily realistic. In fact, the graphic yet immaculate details made me cringe.

Another plus point is the good performances of the cast, with the murderer’s mother (played by Rita Rätsepp) being the unforgettable highlight of the film. She is evil and her threatening behavior makes you feel physically uneasy whenever she appears on screen. Chainsaws sang depends entirely on your humor preferences and whether you like mindless, over-the-top slasher movies without much logic. If you are the former, this movie might suit your taste and be very entertaining. However, if, like me, you prefer horror movies with realistic and grounded storytelling, this movie will be far too eccentric for your taste, which lowers the quality of the film.

Chainsaws sang Premiere at the Fantasia Film Festival on 23-26 July 2024.

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