Full disclosure: I am a HUGE fan of the Saw franchise. What’s great about this series is not just that it’s a gore-lover’s fantasy but the fact that the twisting, tangling storyline works its way through each movie beautifully, providing just enough backstory in the early films to whet your appetite for the big reveal, which culminates in a finale sequence in Saw 3D that brings everything full circle.
Filled with fast-paced storylines, top-notch actors playing memorable characters, and of course—the showpiece of every entry—the traps, the Saw series dazzles; giving us not a supernatural spook like Michael Myers, Freddy, or Jason, but a mere mortal man who happens to be an insanely brilliant engineer and architect with a fuzzy sense of morality.
That character, John Kramer AKA Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), is stunning in his complexity and begs an answer to the question: should bad people be punished for their actions? Is it up to everyday folks to mete out those consequences and, if so, why or how? Is John Kramer truly a bad person for holding up a mirror to the actions of horrible people?
Saw X Goes Back to the Franchise’s Roots
Though the original series itself ended back in 2010, there have since been two other entries — 2017’s Jigsaw and 2021’s Spiral — both of which were entertaining but not quite cut from the same cloth. So, I was both excited and nervous when Saw X was announced, since I knew I’d be unable to keep myself from having inflated expectations. But, once I saw that first trailer and heard Tobin Bell’s rich, deep voice again, saw Billy on his little tricycle, and got a glance of Amanda (Shawnee Smith) in all her glory, I was 100% sold!
Fortunately for myself and the scores of Saw fans out there, Saw X hits the mark. A story that is set in between the events of the first film and Saw II, the 10th Saw film’s story finds a worn-out John Kramer grappling with his fate – a terminal cancer diagnosis. When he discovers a not-quite-FDA-approved medical treatment performed by Norwegian doctor Cecilia Pederson (Synnøve Macody Lund), he leaps at the chance to turn the tides and increase his lifespan, with unintended and bitter consequences for those involved.
Without giving too much away, I will just say that Bell brings his “A” game to this version of Kramer; a man who has been through too much and is world-weary, embarking on this final chapter of his life. For Kramer, he feels his life’s plans are coming to a halt much too quickly, and he has so many more ideas of twisted traps to create and people to “help” in his own kooky Kramer way.
Tobin Bell Isn’t the Only Returning Cast Member
Luckily for John Kramer, he has an eager protege, Amanda Young (Shawnee Smith), to do the heavy lifting and carry on his legacy. Seeing these two characters together again is such a treat. Smith and Bell have a chemistry that sizzles, like a warped father and daughter sharing a massively weird hobby.
I love how Shawnee Smith shows her emotions so willingly, allowing us a peek into Amanda’s damaged psyche—how desperate she is to do the right thing, make good choices, be of service in her own way. She’s brilliant, and these actors’ performances are the highlight of the film for me.
There’s a Greater Emphasis on Who’s IN the Trap (and Why) Rather Than the Traps Themselves
Saw X is a deep dive, it’s a character study, it’s getting to know what makes Kramer tick, watching him teach Amanda, learning about his thought process. It’s insanely beautiful, watching him work, sketch, process, and ultimately carry out the punishments designed to inspire victims to just be better people.
Come on, guys, he just wants you to be good! I mean, is he really doing such bad things here?
There’s nothing too crazy about the traps themselves in this film, but I definitely appreciate the DIY vibe of Kramer just using what’s on hand to create terrifying, complicated, exciting, and gory traps that are just as imaginative as the traps in the films that follow. My favorite trap was probably one that only existed in Kramer’s imagination at the beginning of the film. Truly inspired!
You’ll Need to Already Be a Saw Fan to Get the Most Out of Saw X
Saw X may not be a good introduction for those new to the series since you need a bit of context here, but it’s an absolute bloody delight for fans. It slides seamlessly into the original series without disruption, filling in holes and answering questions without changing the existing canon of the films.
Though I had my doubts about the series moving forward so many years later, I really love how this film plays out. Saw X is a love letter to Saw fans and a chance for Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith to really shine as these iconic characters.
Sources report that Bell was heavily involved in this film, even contributing dialogue, which is awesome. Another perk of this film for me is the fact that the majority of the gore is practical, excluding some post-production clean-ups. Practical effects are very important to me, and knowing that most of this stuff was done by hand with love just blows my mind! It looks incredible.
I’m also happy they didn’t digitally de-age either actor, considering two decades have passed since the events of the first Saw film. It honestly never occurred to me to consider their ages as I was so caught up in the film and their excellent performances! And of course, both actors look stunning!
TL;DR Review: Saw X Is One of the Absolute BEST Films in the Entire Franchise!
As a fan who has enjoyed every entry of Saw, I can honestly say that Saw X will cement its spot as one of the best films in the entire franchise and stands out based on the performances alone – the fact that Tobin Bell gets more screen time here than in the entirety of the series isn’t lost on me.
If you enjoyed the prior films in the franchise, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by Saw X. Hearing the theme and the iconic “I want to play a game,” sent shivers up my spine! But don’t get up and leave after the last trap is set — you won’t want to miss the after-credits scene! Get up and leave or enjoy a big ol’ serotonin boost, fan-service style – make your choice!
Become a Patron!Images purchased via MovieStillsDB, used for review purposes. Editor’s Note = To my dad (and anyone else unfamiliar): “TL;DR” is internet slang for “Too Long; Didn’t Read” and is used to indicate you’re about to provide a short summary of a longer text’s contents for those who are interested in the topic but struggle to read at length. -L*
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