Remy – Wrong Turn Franchise
Perhaps the most derivative of the bunch, it is clear that the inbred family from West Virginia in the Wrong Turn series is just a mild variation of the Texas Chainsaw family, but you will come to realize, it was that family that pretty much set the tone for every entry on this list (outside of Dogtooth), and there is nothing wrong with that. Good horror will always influence other horror, and Texas Chainsaw is no exception.
I also feel the need to point out that I am addressing only the first three films in this series, as part four and five were atrocious, poorly made films.
That out of the way, the first three Wrong Turn movies are kind of fun (first two, really), and gave us an honest idea of what it would be like to have to hide from cannibalistic, inbred hillbillies. I guess that is the one thing that sets these guys apart from every other entry on the list: incest.
Just kidding, incest runs rampant in this theme.
Nato – The Hills Have Eyes Movies
What’s worse than a murderous family? A mutant murderous family, hands down. They’re big, they’re ugly, they’re mean, and they’ve got nothing to lose. Ever heard of a face that only a mother can love? Well, when a mother’s own face is deformed beyond belief, imagine the low standards she holds for her kids.
I rather liked Alexandre Aja’s 2006 remake, which was both vicious and well-shot, but whether you’re looking at the original or the updated version, this was one f*cked up family of psychopaths. From Papa Jupiter, to Lizard, to Goggle – each member had a different, signifying deformation, turning them into monster-like creatures instead of just killers. Our poor traveling family didn’t stand much of a chance, and while there were some “survivors” (keeping it vague), this was one clan you didn’t really want to mess with. Sure, they might not have all been blood relatives, it’s possible, but when you depend on each other like these “people” did, you’re as close to family as you can get.