Around four months ago I deeply considered reviewing “Chainsaw Maid” for the site mainly because I thought it was so well made. These days I’m almost sorry that I opted out of reviewing “Chainsaw Maid” because it’s become somewhat of a cult hit. How did this happen? The animation is rigid. The claymation basic, and the story is so incredible one note, and yet when all is said and done I’d actually sit and watch a ninety minute live action version of “Chainsaw Maid.” What’s the big deal about this movie? Well, as a person who can’t speak Asian, the director, and writer are basically unknown to me, and there’s a strong character motivation in spite of the fact that there’s zero dialogue.
So strong in her duties as a care taker is the maid here that she will go through heaven and hell to protect the two children she’s been given the task to care for, so after an unexplained accident brings a woman to the doorstep of her bosses, the raving survivor proceeds to turn in to the walking dead, turns the house owners and now the maid is forced to protect her young child, all with a chainsaw. There’s even the allusion that she’s sleeping with the father of the house, in one moment.
Most of the film draws its inspiration of “The Evil Dead” with the maid forced to go up against a horde of the walking dead while protecting her family and Takena puts us through her eyes with the chainsaw smashing and slicing through rotten limbs the entire time. When she’s finished doing her duties, she gives an obedient bow and smirk, and we sit hoping for a sequel. I’d actually sit to watch a full length movie in live action form and “Chainsaw Maid” is a simple idea with plenty of potential for greatness. There are a bunch of copies and redubs, and re-edits on the web but regardless you can see it without much trouble. “Chainsaw Maid” is crude at first glance but there’s an honest to goodness story here with some great writing and claymation afoot. I love it.