The Bloodcurdling Torture Contraptions Unleashed by Jigsaw

Highlights

Saw X brings the franchise back to its roots and has received positive reviews, revitalizing the brand once again.

The Saw series' traps consistently escalate in brutality, often crossing the line of audience tolerance. From decapitation to intricate brain surgery, these movies continue to shock viewers with disturbing and visually explicit scenes that induce discomfort.

The recent release of Saw X marked a return to the franchise's origins, with a setting nestled between the first and second films. The reviews have been predominantly positive, indicating a revitalization of the brand.

In each iteration of the Saw series, the anticipation lies in the progressively more macabre traps that Jigsaw constructs, continually escalating the suspense and keeping viewers on edge. Over the span of almost two decades, numerous characters have faced the brutal consequences orchestrated by Jigsaw and his fellow conspirators. However, some of the shockingly gruesome traps devised by Kramer and his followers cross a line in terms of their extreme brutality.

10 Subway Trap (Spiral)

In 2021, Spiral was a major disappointment as it lacked shocking traps. Nonetheless, the opening sequence left a lasting impression with its particularly disturbing scene.

The scene depicted a victim trapped in a subway tunnel, their tongue secured by a device that presented them with a horrific choice: either rip out their own tongue or face being torn apart by an approaching train. Unfortunately, their attempt to escape proved futile, and the train swiftly ended their life.

9 Decapitation (Saw X)

X, compared to other films in the series, was regarded as tamer as it primarily emphasized the storyline of the past timeline. However, this does not imply that the new sequel lacked its fair share of horrifying scenes.

One particular trap stood out, causing extreme revulsion. Jigsaw devised a contraption that would sever the victim's head unless they were able to amputate their own leg swiftly and extract the marrow from their oozing stump. Undoubtedly, this brutal demise was far from pleasant for any character involved.

8 The 10 Pints of Sacrifice (Saw 5)

As the sequels progressed, the traps became increasingly horrifying, with Saw 5 featuring one of the most brutal death traps. This particular trap, known as the 10 Pints of Sacrifice, targets the characters of Malick and Brit and is positioned towards the climax of the film.

In this harrowing ordeal, the victims are required to place their arms into a trap equipped with a rotating saw blade. As their arms are inserted, blood trickles down into a beaker. Once the beaker is full, the door opens, offering an avenue of escape for the unwilling participants. The characters must make a choice - either both endure severe injuries and survive, or sacrifice one unfortunate participant.

7 Brain Surgery (Saw X)

The anticipation of brain surgery can induce feelings of unease, but envision having to perform the procedure on oneself. In Saw X, Mateo is confronted with this daunting task in order to preserve his own life. Within a limited timeframe, he must extract as much brain tissue as possible before the impending threat of the enclosing mask, which will ultimately lead to a fatal, crushing demise.

Perhaps the most horrifying and graphic aspect of this trap is the vivid depiction of brain matter seeping from Mateo's head. This highly detailed portrayal is both brutal and serves as undeniable evidence that, even after all these years, the Saw movies still possess the ability to evoke visceral reactions from viewers.

6 The Knife Chair (Saw 4)

The knife chair trap in Saw 4 resonates deeply with audiences due to its depiction of accidental self-inflicted wounds. Pun intended, this trap cuts exceptionally close to home.

In Saw 4, the knife chair trap unfolds as a punishment for a recovering drug addict. The individual is restrained onto a chair, while blades facing upwards pierce through their wrists, causing them to bleed profusely. This particular trap stands out as one of the most sinister and haunting examples in the entire Saw franchise.

5 The Venus Fly Trap Death Mask (Saw 2)

The Venus Fly Trap Death Mask is a simple yet highly effective trap designed to ensnare its victims. Consisting of a metal contraption encircling the neck, the victim is given a mere minute to extricate themselves from its grasp. To further compound the horror, the key necessary for escape is cunningly concealed behind the subject's eye.

This notorious device prominently features in Saw 2, and it is Detective Michael Marks who unwittingly finds himself trapped within it as he doggedly attempts to unravel the enigma of the Jigsaw murders. While some of the traps depicted throughout the series, as macabre as they may be, offer a sense of solvability, the Venus Fly Trap Death Mask presents an almost insurmountable challenge, rendering it all the more grisly in nature.

4 The Scalping Machine (Saw 4)

The Scalping Machine, featured in Saw 4, is the most brutal test in the entire film. This device, resembling a chair, is equipped with a mechanical axis that forcefully pulls the victim's hair, ultimately aiming to slowly scalp them. The intention behind this trap, created by the notorious Jigsaw killer, was to administer punishment upon Brenda, a pimp known for exploiting sex workers in order to assert control.

3 The Flammable Jelly Trap (Saw)

Awakening disrobed in a dimly lit chamber, a man is met with an unsettling sight of shattered glass and an adhesive jelly that possesses an alarming combustibility. This distressing predicament only worsens as time progresses.

Jigsaw reveals the unsettling truth that a lethal poison courses through his bloodstream, capable of extinguishing his existence in an instant. However, amidst the somberness, a glimmer of hope emerges - a cure lies securely encased within a locked safe. In order to survive, the victim must unravel the elusive combination guarding this vital remedy. Yet, before embarking on this daunting task, the inflammable jelly coating his body suddenly ignites, enveloping him in a relentless inferno.

2 The Pit of Needles (Saw 2)

The Pit of Needles may not seem as terrifying as the traps in the Saw series, but its horror goes beyond expectation. In the highly acclaimed sequel and one of the finest Saw movies, the story unravels in an abandoned house brimming with perilous traps and the gradual infiltration of nerve gas.

Amidst numerous macabre fatalities, the remaining survivors face a ghastly choice: explore a filthy container filled with contaminated needles to locate a crucial key, or face certain death. The experience is truly horrific, and even if they manage to survive, it is probable that Jigsaw has tainted the needles with a substance that will inevitably affect anyone pricked, regardless of their survival in the initial trial.

1 The Reverse Bear Trap (Saw)

There are highly successful traps used throughout the entire series. One of the most horrifying death traps in one of the scariest films ever made is the Reverse Bear Trap, which was introduced in the first Saw movie.

Amanda became the first victim of this brutal trap. She was trapped in a head brace that extended from her lower to upper jaw. If she didn't retrieve the key from her cellmate's stomach, her face would be ripped apart. Amanda is believed to be the first victim who managed to escape from Jigsaw, so the trap was never activated. However, in Saw 3D, the aftermath of being unable to escape this trap was shown and it was extremely disturbing.