Answer :
Final answer:
The infamous American serial killer that inspired films like Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was Ed Gein. Leatherface, the killer in the latter, effectively scares audiences with his terrifying appearance, disturbing backstory, and brutal weapon, further accentuated by the film's presentation as a true story and its scary ending.
Explanation:
The infamous American serial killer who inspired horror films such as Psycho and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre was Ed Gein. In the evaluation of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, particularly the 2003 film, the character of Leatherface is renowned for his effectiveness at scaring the audience. He employs various means to evoke fear, including his terrifying appearance, disturbing backstory, and choice of weapon. The film presents itself as a "true" story, which heightens the sense of fear among viewers, and the scary ending leaves a lasting impact.
Leatherface's character in the film takes inspiration from the real-life crimes of Ed Gein, whose grotesque acts involved fashioning trophies and keepsakes from the bones and skin of corpses. The fear factor in Leatherface stems from the psychological terror of his actions, the macabre visuals of his mask made of human skin, and the sheer brutality of his weapon of choice—a chainsaw. This gruesome set of characteristics, coupled with the notion that such an individual could exist, taps into deep-seated fears, making Leatherface a memorable horror icon.
