Spooky Season 2022: Saw Review

The Saw franchise is most known for its over-the-top gore, nightmarish traps and crazy soap opera esque twists. Many may be surprised that the first in the series is incredibly tame in comparison. But with the film’s insane editing, shocking twist, and terrifying traps, the film is pretty much flawless and is easily the best in the franchise, not to mention one of the best horror/thrillers of all time.

After waking up in a filthy bathroom photographer Adam Stanheight (Whannel) and oncologist Lawrence Gordon (Elwes) must figure out why they have been chained to the pipes while attempting a series of challenges put their way in order to escape with their lives. Meanwhile, Detective David Tapp (Glover) and Detective Steven Sing (Ken Leung) search for a prolific serial killer known as Jigsaw.

When it comes to Saw, the writing is not only incredibly-engaging but also raises some bizarre questions such as is Jigsaw really a serial killer? While he most definitely is, the film plants reasonable doubt within viewers. Whilst it is undoubtedly carried by its writing, the exceptional performances from Whannel, who wrote the script, and Elwes help bring the film’s layered characters to life. Whannel and Elwes brilliantly play off each other over the course of Stanheight and Gordon’s combative relationship as they went back and forth between accusing each other and helping one another to free themselves from the dirty bathroom they found themselves in. Each character is brilliantly layered with each possessing dark secrets that viewers will undoubtedly find shocking as their stories intertwine with one another.

Saw delivers a lot of tension from its terrifying traps, heart-pounding music score, and most importantly, its insane editing. Scenes come fast with no structure to them as each subsequent scene with the next trap is much more suspenseful and memorable than the last. Though the traps may be tame, they are nonetheless still terrifying. While the Reverse Bear Trap had an easy escape, the others looked impossible and one can’t help but be utterly frightened of the thought of ever waking up trapped in a Jigsaw trap.

In the end, nothing can compare to the shocking twist that will leave audiences’ collective jaws on the floor. That is assuming they haven’t seen any a Saw film before. Coming out of absolutely nowhere, the build-up to that moment was perfection and is still one of the best and most shocking twists of all time. The film is phenomenal on a first watch but those who rewatch the film will notice more moments of foreshadowing.

At the end of the day, Saw is easily one of the best and most original horror/thriller films of all time, ending with an absolutely jaw-dropping twist. The film is flawless, tense, intriguing and a perfect Halloween watch.

*still courtesy of Lionsgate*

If you liked this, please read our other reviews here and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter or Instagram or like us on Facebook.

Olly Dyche

Journalist, Writer, Film Critic and Professional Nerd. You will probably find Olly at the cinema chomping down on some popcorn and taking in the glorious visuals of the latest theatrical release.