Saw X proves that the series is grateful to be alive
Saw is regarded by many to be one of the most gruesome and complex franchises to come out of the horror genre. What started off as a low budget film from two unknown filmmakers evolved into a full-fledged soap opera franchise that dominated the box office from the mid-late 2000s, made the careers of its creators and expanded into various media including video games, theme park attractions and an escape room. All thanks to the series’ staple of gruesome death traps, its expansive story and the overarching antagonist John Kramer, a.k.a The Jigsaw Killer.
However, many felt that the series declined in quality in the later installments. Specifically, they felt that those movies focused on the traps and over-inflating the story at the cost of emotional depth. The series most recent entry, “Spiral,” was also divisive among fans. Some praised the film for going in a different direction while others thought it was lazy, boring and predictable.
Following its announcement in April 2021, Saw X garnered immense anticipation from fans. Aside from series veteran Kevin Greutert returning to direct, Tobin Bell was confirmed to return as Kramer alongside Shawnee Smith as Jigsaw accomplice Amanda Young. Combined with the positive reception of the trailer, the producers’ promise of a film that captures the “hearts—and other body parts” of fans seemed like a very plausible outcome.
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Taking place weeks after the events of "Saw," the story follows Kramer after he's informed that he only has months left to live. Per the recommendation of a member of his cancer support group, Kramer reaches out to a doctor named Cecilia Pederson who promises him a second chance at life with an experimental procedure invented by her father. Kramer travels to her clinic in an abandoned chemical factory outside of Mexico City and the surgery is successful. However, this proves too good to be true as he later discovers that the entire operation was a scam. With a newfound drive, Kramer and Young kidnap everyone involved and bring them back to the clinic where they become test subjects for a brand new "game."
Saw X is significantly different from it's predecessors in ways that, in my personal opinion, elevate it exponentially. Aside from minor changes such as minimal flashy editing, new locations and zero flashbacks, the story is more cohesive thanks to it's focus on a single plotline. This allows us to follow everything that's happening and understand the characters while diverting our eyes from the increasingly gruesome gore.
Jigsaw's traps/tests have always been symbolic of his victims' choices/habits but most of them don't exactly get an emotional response due to the victims getting Cliffnotes' style introductions. This is not the case here as everyone involved is given enough screentime for us to understand them and Kramer's choices for their "tests." Each trap is increasingly horrific and over-the-top (as expected), but they feel personal this time and have more of a purpose outside of shock value.
Jigsaw has been considered by many to be the heart of the franchise and making him the focus of the film was the best decision the writers could've made. Tobin Bell delivers another outstanding performance that is terrifying, emotional and captivating. Longtime fans already know the kind of person Kramer is but Saw X elevates his character further by showing a more human side of him. At this point, his clock is ticking and the only thing he has left is hope. When that hope is completely shattered, you can't help but feel sorry for him and support him to an extent. Jigsaw may be a serial killer with a twisted moral code, but he's still human and Bell conveys that perfectly.
Saw X may not be everyone's cup of tea but as a movie, it captures everything that longtime fans love about the series while injecting a mix of heart, gore, poetic justice and a hint of humor. Whether you're in it for the traps or the characters, this movie has something for everyone to enjoy. To cap it all off, there's a mid-credits that will have fans aching for more. Watch or don't, the choice is yours.
