Back in 2004 a young filmmaker and screenwriter, James Wan and Leigh Whannell, created a small horror film. That horror film became a global sensation with memorable moments, a bone-chilling iconic villain and that soundtrack that kicks in when the final twist is revealed with the film … Saw! Years later James Wan and Leigh Whannell have gone on to craft other horror blockbusters such as The Conjuring series, the Insidious series and even The Invisible Man. Their legacy though will forever been the first Saw film. Each year saw a new entry which aimed to supersede the one previously made, by having more shocking twists, some really sickening traps and a plot surrounding the mysterious Jigsaw Killer - John Kramer. There have been some hits, but also some misses, and now the question is what category does Saw X, the tenth instalment, fall under?
Saw X is a very surprising film. This sequel does something a few other films in the series have done. It has brought back Tobin Bell as John Kramer despite his death in Saw III. The lead-up to his death in the previous films had very little context apart from the fact that he was suffering from cancer. Kramer is a mysterious man, someone we don’t know much about. Saw X is set after the events of the first film where he is dealing with his cancer prognosis, and as a result we learn more about who Kramer is and why he does what he does. You would have thought that by doing this we would be sacrificing a crucial element of these films - the true nature of the villain. Instead we are treated to a lot more depth and a lot more humanity at the man who creates these torturous experiments on bad people, by making him the anti-hero of the newest film.
Saw X is mainly set in Mexico City, where Kramer has learnt there is a lab there which is run by some experimental doctors and nurses who aim to help cure cancer. It feels too good to be true, and soon enough that is exactly what Kramer realises. For reasons I will not divulge, Kramer decides to create a new set of traps for each of the doctors, nurses and helpers involved in these clinical experiments. What unfolds is a story with lots of twists and turns, and in turn itself questions the morality of death and justice of a broken system. There are a few callbacks to previous films within Saw X, so there will be something for the hardcore fans to enjoy, but Saw X also surprisingly acts as a perfect entry point for newcomers too. The story is linear, simple and entertaining enough for horror films to start this series with this sequel, ironically enough.
The technicality of the traps and props, the set pieces and practical effects are all very well made and a lot of thought has gone into attempting to create new and horrific ways to torture people which we haven’t seen before on screen. Each trap is related to something that the character has done, and no body part is off limits. Eyes, legs, brains and more are all subjected to these contraptions. The filmmaking team clearly had a vision in mind with this film and they stuck to it and have executed it very well. There are some predictable elements and the story takes a little while to pick up before the horror elements kick in, but overall the film is an entertaining watch. Saw X proves that there is life left in this series, but the question is will Kramer be back again for more revenge or can Kramer finally be laid to rest?
★★★★☆
4/5
Final Verdict:
Saw X is a refreshingly creative entry in the ongoing Saw franchise. Saw X honours the history already established with John Kramer, but also explores an untold story set before his death. Tobin Bell reminds us why we love these films as he unfolds new layers of an already established character. Expect more depth, more traps and a lot more twists. Saw X will keep you glued to your seat - don’t worry that isn’t one of the traps in the film! It is violent, blood-soaked and stomach churning, but that is why we go to see these films in the cinema.
Thanks for reading today’s blog!
Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions
Comments