The Ultimate Saw X Review: Unveiling the Mind-blowing Twists and Terrifying Suspense!

The Saw franchise is approaching its 20th anniversary next year, making it the fifth highest-grossing horror franchise ever. It's truly astounding to witness the evolution of these low-budget horror films into highly sought-after blockbusters. With the upcoming Saw X, the franchise is finally shedding the constraints it placed upon itself and focusing on its core strengths. This latest installment is arguably the best since the original, although it still retains its intense and torturous elements.

Kevin Greutert, who has been involved with Saw since its inception, has returned to his rightful place. He has edited the first eight films and directed both Saw VI and 3D, and now helms the editing and directing for Saw X. His distinct and unnerving editing style is just one of the many factors that contribute to the franchise's iconic status. Josh Stolberg and Peter Goldfinger, who previously wrote the last two films, also make their return. While the standards of Saw writing may be subpar, they consistently find ways to rise above and delve deeper.

Set shortly after the events of Saw but before the events of Saw II, Saw X takes place after many of the events in the other films. The story revolves around John Kramer, who is battling cancer. In previous films, John has tortured various medical professionals who have wronged him, but in this installment, he seeks out a different approach to his treatment. He comes across someone he once knew, who was previously terminally ill but is now fully recovered. Intrigued, John learns about an experimental treatment offered by a controversial doctor. However, the doctor has disappeared, leaving only his daughter, Cecilia Pederson, as a contact. She offers John a chance at the cure, leading him to fly to Mexico for the treatment. John goes through the process with faith that it will extend his life and bring him happiness. However, upon returning to the makeshift operating room, he realizes that his surgery was a deception, and he has been conned alongside other terminal patients. Despite this setback, John is satisfied to resume his favorite pastime: seeking revenge.

Someone has finally come to the realization of what every fan of the Saw franchise already knew. The true weapon behind its success lies not in its traps, gore, or premise, but rather in the performance of Tobin Bell as Jigsaw. For years, Bell has spoken openly about his deep connection to the role and the significant contributions he has made to the franchise. During the production of Saw IV, it is said that he even provided valuable advice that resolved a mechanical problem in one of the traps. Although his character met his demise in Saw III, he has continued to appear in every subsequent sequel except for Spiral. The writers have ingeniously woven the story in order to keep Bell's presence felt throughout the franchise. It is now in Saw X where his character takes center stage, offering him his most substantial role to date.

Bell's portrayal in this film is nothing short of outstanding. Having inhabited this role for nearly two decades, he consistently breathes life into his character with very little material. His nuanced performance in Saw X adds depth, complexity, and a sense of humanity to his character. The initial half of the movie feels almost like a promotion for antidepressants. However, a spoiler warning is necessary, as the first trap showcased in the film, the one featured on the poster, unfolds within a dream sequence. This scene highlights one of the most significant tonal issues present in Saw X. John Kramer, also known as Jigsaw, is, and has always been, a monstrous serial killer. Despite his speeches on the importance of choice and appreciation, he remains a glaring hypocrite and sociopath. In total, including the video games, he is directly responsible for the deaths of 144 individuals. Hence, it is perplexing as to why the film seeks to evoke sympathy for him and portrays those who oppose his ruthless ways as the ones in the wrong. Kramer possesses a god-like foresight and an extensive knowledge of engineering, yet he utilizes these abilities to maim individuals for petty transgressions such as drug addiction, smoking, or merely attempting to thwart his killing spree. Despite the likability of Tobin Bell's portrayal, Kramer is granted a level of sympathy he has not earned. This film franchise may very well be the first in which cancer, a deadly disease, assumes the role of an unsung hero.

There isn't much to discuss in terms of the plot. While the twists are somewhat effective, most of them can be seen coming from a mile away. The traps vary greatly in their creativity. Some of Jigsaw's games have a surgical theme that adds an overly thoughtful element. The trailers give a glimpse of a fake surgeon being forced to remove a piece of his brain and a woman cutting off her leg with a Gigli saw. However, they fail to showcase the sillier moments, such as when a presumably intelligent con artist uses a dead woman's intestines as a makeshift rope. It's no surprise that YouTubers who enjoy pointing out obvious solutions will have a field day with this film, but that's to be expected. Cecilia Pederson, the film's antagonist, is one of the weakest characters in the franchise to date. At a certain point, she loses her rationality in a feeble attempt to make Jigsaw seem more decent. Shawnee Smith reprises her role as Amanda Young, and while she was excellent as a fragile, recovering drug addict, her performance has worsened with each subsequent appearance. Every problem they address in the franchise seems to be replaced with a new one, resulting in a peculiar experience.

Saw X commissioned its franchise with a game resembling Jigsaw's twisted puzzles. In order to survive, it made the difficult decision to discard all unnecessary storylines that had been weighing it down. Despite its resolve, similar to most of Jigsaw's victims, a longing for those severed connections is hard to resist. Saw X surpasses its successor sequels, yet falls short of matching the brilliance of the original. It brilliantly showcases Tobin Bell's talent even though it struggles to make his character truly captivating. Enthusiasts of the franchise or those who relish in mindless violence will find satisfaction, but this won't be the torment-filled horror experience capable of changing anyone's perspective. Instead of introducing a fresh game, Saw X simply aims to enhance the existing one enough to scrape by.

Saw X

John Kramer returns to his dark work after a group of con artists tricks him with a fake cancer cure.