T.R. Blackburn

Schoolgirls in Chains (1973) is one of those grindhouse relics that probably never stood a chance at a PTA meeting. T.R. Blackburn’s name is all over this sleazy little slice of exploitation, which—let’s be real—leans hard into the taboo. The plot? Two deeply messed-up brothers, raised under the thumb of their psycho mother, kidnap young women and shackle them in their remote farmhouse. The brothers are a twisted pair: one’s got this childlike, almost pitiful demeanor, while the other is straight-up sadistic. The film doesn’t hold back on the grit or the grime—it’s uncomfortable on purpose. A lot of the tension comes from the girls trying to survive, banding together despite their terror and isolation. The house itself almost feels like another character, full of creaky floors and shadowy corners. There’s a claustrophobic, sweaty vibe running through the whole movie. It’s not exactly subtle, either. You get the sense that Blackburn wanted to push every button—sometimes just for the shock factor. If you’re hunting for deep social commentary, well, maybe look elsewhere. But if you’re into the raw, no-frills horror and exploitation flicks from the ‘70s, this one definitely earns its stripes. Disturbing? Absolutely. Forgettable? Not a chance. It’s the kind of movie people either can’t stop talking about, or wish they’d never seen.