Fantasia International Film Festival 2024 – I can comfortably say that it’s been a while since I’ve seen a film as zany and wild as the Estonian feature Chainsaws Were Singing. It has plenty of guts, lots of heart, and bloody fun songs. Yes, this is a horror movie musical.

I know that some people really can’t stand musicals. I get it. However, Chainsaws Were Singing isn’t your typical musical, and for a movie that’s roughly two hours long, the songs are spaced out. This feature, directed by Sander Maran,  is a genre-bender, too. It’s certainly drenched in blood and guts, but it also has action sequences and, as stated, musical elements. It’s also very much a love story.

In short, the plot revolves around Tom, played by co-writer Karl Ilves, and Marie (Laura Niils).  They sort of meet on the side of the road and then sing a song by a creek. Shortly after that, Maria is captured by a bunch of chainsaw-wielding, cannibalistic maniacs who also function as a monstrous family. At one point, they try to force Marie to eat human flesh. Yes, there are plenty of nods here to The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. While that film’s dinner scene is both horrifying and theatrical, this feature is even more absurd in total.  The songs do develop the wide cast of characters more, but some of the lyrics are funny. For instance, one of the killers, played by Martin Ruus, who functions as the quiet, yet deadly type, has a song that basically goes, “I’m a killer. That’s what I do. Yah. Yah. Yah.”

Once Marie goes missing, Tom is joined by the ridiculous Jaan (Janno Puusepp), These two really have a lot of comedic chemistry, and Puusepp’s performance is so bonkers that it’ll draw a few laughs at least. The two make some other friends along their perilous little adventure, until they encounter the nefarious killers. I do want to highlight Rita Rätsepp’s role as the family’s mother. She’s all kinds of menacing, with her lust for absolute power. Yes, she has her farcical scenes, but for the most part she’s a contrast to the other goofball killers.

I will admit that the film takes a bit to get into. I kept scratching my head through the first chapter/story or two, but then I suddenly dug it. This film very much has a weird, off-the-wall style. It takes a bit of getting used to. By the second half, the film really soars, even if the first half drags slightly.

Ultimately, Chainsaws Were Singing is a love story. It’s a love story with blood, guts, and gore. Oh, and whacky songs. This film will gross you out while also worming its way into your heart. This one has cult following potential.