In 2004 the horror genre changed with a brutal and compelling film, with the final minutes having a twist that ranks amongst the most shocking, that film was Saw (2004). James Wan and Leigh Whannell became names to watch, their creation spanned a franchise, whilst they weren’t heavily involved in those sequels, what was created in that first film flowed through the sequels with an on going story-line that built the world of Saw. Now in 2023, the tenth installment has arrived with Saw X (2023), a film that goes back to basics and in true Saw fashion tells a story that takes place between two of the previous films. A clever way to bring back Jigsaw, who we know as John Kramer (Tobin Bell), with a story personal to him and the games are just as brutal as ever.
‘Witness the return of Jigsaw’
Saw X takes place not long after the events of the first film, John Kramer at this time has a terminal diagnosis of cancer, with his time running out. He goes to support meetings as he deals with the time he has left, a chance encounter with a fellow support meeting member gives John hope for a future. You see he’s been told about a doctor who works in secret, promising that their way of treatment will help him and send him into remission. He travels to Mexico for said treatment, meets with the doctor Cecilia Pederson (Synnøve Macody Lund) who walks him through the treatment and again makes promises to John. After he has the procedure, he has a few days to embrace his cure, until he finds out a terrible truth about Cecilia and the treatment. The games have become deeply personal as John deals with the aftermath of Cecilia Pederson.
Make no mistake, this is a Saw film with the brutality of the traps on full display. It is not easy to discuss the film without spoilers, it is a Saw film (as said) and it is best seen with knowing very little. What sets this apart from the other films is this is John Kramer’s film, he features greatly in the entire franchise with Saw II (2005) and Saw III (2006) showing him in different light and at a different point during his inevitable journey to death. From start to finish this is John’s story, his turmoil, his hope and his ultimate lesson. There is a John within the film that hasn’t been tapped into before, this is Tobin Bell’s film.
With John facing trials that haven’t been seen before with the franchise and it provides a highly empathetic character who deep down wants people to appreciate what he soon won’t have, life. This is a theme that runs strongly through the franchise of course, with here providing more in terms of character for John and gives more insight into his relationship with well known apprentice Amanda (Shawnee Smith).
The performances in the film are strong, Tobin Bell brings a new essence to John Kramer, this is a character he knows well, a character he’s played many times and incredibly there is still more to experience and discover with Kramer, which Bell gives us here. The returning Shawnee Smith also doesn’t skip a beat with Amanda, it’s the same Amanda we’ve seen before with added layers that provide more to the dynamic between Amanda and John with her own personal demons coming to the surface during this experience. These two main stays of the franchise are excellent, their chemistry of father/daughter (even though they aren’t) really shows here and the bond between the pair is strengthened. Synnøve Macody Lund as Cecilia Pederson is great, a layered performance that certainly will conflict the audience throughout the film. Cecilia is not a character type that has been tapped into through the franchise, something very welcome in this latest entry.
As a huge fan of the Saw franchise, I very much enjoyed the heck out of Saw X. The Saw franchise along with A Nightmare On Elm St are my two personal favourite horror franchises, I have been eagerly awaiting this latest film and for me it did not at all disappoint. From the eyes of a fan, the film felt deeply personal and to be able to go on this journey with John Kramer was both brutal and meaningful. Considering where the film takes place in the time line it is not critical to have seen every single film in the series to get this one and my hope as a fan is that this film brings more eyes to Saw as a whole. With all of that said, I very much welcome more installments and I can’t wait to watch this one again.
Rating:
Review written by Marcella Papandrea (Super Marcey)
Note: I attended a preview screening for the film, half way through the credits the film just stopped. There may have been an issue and it was not meant to happen, this did not hinder my enjoyment of the film however I am unable to say whether there was a post credit scene. There was a mid credit scene, if there was another I currently do not know.
The Super Network 