Saw X Review

     I’ve never been a huge fan of Saw, not because I can’t handle the blood and gore, but because I just didn’t care too much for the storyline. It felt like the sequels progressively just grew into cash grabs. With that being said, Saw Xmight have turned things around for the franchise.

     I would argue the majority of Saw fans are fans of body horror, a genre I was first introduced to with Hostel and Society. I haven’t watched all of the Sawchapters, but from what I’ve seen many of the traps have become elaborate and a bit convoluted. Saw X keeps things simple, but the traps did NOT disappoint. We’re talking gouged eyes, dismembered limbs, broken bones, and radiation tissue damage! I’m not a squeamish person, but even I was hollerin’ and shielding my eyes.

We all know by now the usual plot in Saw. People with questionable morals are placed into life threatening traps orchestrated by Jigsaw or one of his followers. Saw X follows the same formula, and why not? If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But this time around, I found myself truly rooting for Jigsaw. I felt bad for the old man! Saw X creates a feeling of sympathy for the franchise’s villain, and the victims in this chapter TRULY deserved punishment for what they do. There’s even a moment where, if things had gone according to plan, Jigsaw was ready to give up on the trap building all together! Moments like that scene on the bench really humanized Jigsaw, at least in that particular moment.

Overall, I’m pleasantly surprised with Saw X. It was great seeing Tobin Bell back on screen doing what he does best, torturing people. This is the second week in a row a new horror movie exceeded my low expectations. Saw X revitalizes the franchise and teases yet another sequel with a fan favorite in a mid-credits scene, so stick around for that! I’m giving it three and a half buckets of popcorn out of five! Go check this one out if you’re a fan of Saw!