Saw X Review
It’s been over two years since we’ve had a movie in the Saw universe. Spiral came out a little over a year into the pandemic and was a nice movie-going experience. Everyone was happy to be back in theaters.
But, the film was a disappointment, if you can say that. I enjoyed it because I had low expectations. My expectations were just as low when Saw X was announced.
The last two sequels directly related to the original films were low points for the franchise. Jigsaw especially, and the trailer for Saw X made it seem like it would be Jigsaw 2.0 with the same issues.
I am here to tell the Saw fans that it is not Jigsaw it’s the best entry in the franchise since Saw VI.
There is a brief shot of a drawing from his sketchbook which indicates this film takes place somewhere between the second and third film.
John Kramer hears about an experimental treatment by a European doctor who can treat even the most serious of cancer patients. So, he heads to Mexico to have the procedure done but finds out they never performed surgery.
So he enlists the help of Amanda and Detective Hoffman, Kramer puts the entire “surgical” team through his games.
The best thing this film does which Jigsaw missed the mark on is setting it in the world of Saw, but not trying to retcon another new character to add to the lore of Saw.
Jigsaw posits that there was a man who came before all the others. He was a part of Kramer’s very first game. Which takes place in an abandoned farmhouse that is never used or mentioned again.
This man survives his game and begins helping him and is there from the very beginning. Then why haven’t we heard about this man until now? He would’ve made some kind of an appearance in a previous film.
It’s infuriating because that film was made by people who had no interest in watching any of the previous movies. It was a middle finger to the fans.
As stated above, Saw X presumably takes place between Saw Two and Saw Three. This makes sense because that time is not accounted for. From a continuity standpoint, this film’s timing actually makes sense. It shows a modicum of effort was put into the filmmaking.
This film works on its own as well as a larger part of the franchise. It isn’t jumping through hoops to make this more convoluted than it needs to be. Instead of mind games, the film focuses more on the heart.
The film runs a bit long, but the first 30 minutes are all set up for the games in the last 3/4 of the movie. We get to know John more as a human rather than just as Jigsaw.
His relationship with Amanda is fleshed out “pun intended”. Before you start to wonder with all of the ooey gooey heart start is there time for the signature gruesome kills? Yes, yes there is.
The first trap sequence is especially gnarly which the fans will have fun with it. The kills only get rougher from there.
The run-time feels a little long, but that’s probably because these usually come in at a tight 90 minutes. Because the set-up is worth it. Fans of the franchise will be able to see where the film is going but the ending will still payoff.
We’ll see how this does financially, but it’s likely we will get a Saw 11.
4/5 Stars
