Unraveling the Mind-Bending Timeline of Saw X: All You Need to Know

If you're feeling uncertain about the timeline of the Saw franchise, particularly after watching Saw X, the 10th installment in the gruesome and enduring horror series, rest assured that we have the answers for you.

The Saw series is notorious for the confusion it creates with its chronology. For instance, Saw X is a sequel to Saw: The (supposedly) Final Chapter, but it precedes Jigsaw, which was released seven years later. Additionally, there's Spiral: From the Book of Saw, a spinoff that occurs after all the previous movies, including Saw X.

The return of Tobin Bell's John Kramer, the infamous killer central to the franchise, may leave fans puzzled as his character met his demise in Saw III. However, his influence persisted even after his death, with a brief appearance in Jigsaw through a flashback.

For fans and eager moviegoers attending screenings this weekend, it may be helpful to establish the timeline of Saw X before diving into the latest installment, and we are here to provide those answers.

When does Saw X take place in the timeline? The simple answer

The events of Saw X occur between the first Saw and Saw II. In the conclusion of Saw, Kramer's shocking revelation unfolds as he emerges as the body in the bathroom, leaving Adam to his demise and uttering the words, "Game over."

However, the film earlier introduces us to his terminal brain cancer, setting up the distressing storyline of Saw X. We follow Kramer's journey to Mexico in search of a life-saving experimental medical procedure, only to discover that it is nothing more than a deceitful scam. In typical fashion, he takes matters into his own hands and gathers the fraudsters, subjecting them to a valuable yet excruciating lesson.

In a recent interview with Saw producers Mark Burg and Oren Koules, they revealed to Dexerto that Saw X takes place approximately three weeks after the events of the first Saw film, while Saw II unfolds a year later.

“So picture this: the moment he shuts the door, it's game over just like in the first Saw movie. Fast forward three weeks later, and we find ourselves following John Kramer, a man battling cancer, as he desperately tries to determine his remaining lifespan and seeks ways to prolong it. That's where the movie kicks off," they explained.

When does Saw X take place in the timeline? The long answer

Below, we have meticulously organized the precise position of Saw X within the broader timeline. Additionally, we have arranged all the events in chronological order for your convenience. Although it may become a little overwhelming as you delve into the later installments, rest assured that this breakdown is the most comprehensive and comprehensive resource you could possibly desire.

Jigsaw… but just the beginning

As the eighth installment in the Saw franchise, Jigsaw delves into the backstory of John Kramer, played by Tobin Bell, who is infamously known as Jigsaw due to his pursuit of justice through murderous acts.

Following the familiar pattern of all Saw movies, Jigsaw presents a daunting challenge: five individuals awaken in a barn, their heads covered with buckets. In order to atone for their wrongdoings, they are required to shed their own blood before being pulled towards wall-mounted buzzsaws by chains. Although four of them successfully escape, an unidentified and unconscious man tragically loses his life.

This is later revealed to be Kramer’s first-ever game. Oh, and remember that poor sod who died… or did he?

Saw

In a filthy bathroom, Dr. Lawrence Gordon (played by Cary Elwes) and Adam Stanheight find themselves chained to a pipe, each with only a saw to escape. Their horrific situation is amplified by the presence of a man lying between them, his skull cracked open, exposing his brains.

Detective Tapp (played by Danny Glover) is diligently pursuing Jigsaw's whereabouts. Additionally, Saw occurs just a day prior to the tragic events of 9/11, adding an additional layer of context.

Although this is the inaugural installment in the series, it is far from the origin story. At this juncture, Kramer has honed his skills in designing malevolent games, culminating in the film's most astonishing revelation: he is the lifeless cadaver, ultimately leaving Adam to perish once Gordon manages to escape – albeit with a missing foot, naturally.

Flashbacks reveal that Tapp has tirelessly pursued Jigsaw over the course of many years, burdened by the torment of losing his partner to one of Jigsaw's diabolical contraptions.

Increasingly convinced that Gordon is the true perpetrator, Tapp enlists Adam to secretly monitor him. In a calculated move, Kramer assigns his apprentice Amanda, who managed to evade the deadly reverse bear trap, the mission of abducting both Tapp and Gordon.

Saw X

Saw X occurs chronologically between the events of Saw and Saw II. In an interview with Dexerto at Fantastic Fest, Oren Koules shared that director Kevin Greutert has extensive knowledge of the entire Saw franchise, having either edited or directed every movie. This makes him the ultimate authority in ensuring the seamless continuity of the storyline.

“So when we first started working on this film, we made the mistake of thinking it would take place between Saw 2 and Saw 3. However, Kevin sat us down and explained how Shawnee's character undergoes a transformation in Saw 3, and he really wanted to capture her innocence from Saw 1. So in our minds, this movie actually takes place about three weeks after Tobin closes the door and says 'Game over' in Saw 1."

The official synopsis for the film is as follows: "Delving into the darkest depths of the Saw franchise, this installment explores a previously untold chapter in Jigsaw's twisted games. Set chronologically between the events of Saw I and II, the story follows John, who, in his desperate and sickly state, embarks on a dangerous journey to Mexico for an experimental medical procedure that promises a miracle cure for his cancer. Little does he know that the entire operation is a deceitful scam, preying on the most vulnerable. Fueled by newfound determination, John returns to his work, expertly turning the tables on the con artists through a series of ingenious and terrifying traps that showcase his signature style."

Saw II

In Saw II, the story unfolds a year later when Detective Eric Matthews (Donnie Wahlberg) successfully captures Kramer, the main antagonist from the previous film. However, a new twisted game begins as his son, Amanda, and several others find themselves trapped in an unfamiliar building filled with deadly traps.

Matthews and his fellow officers make desperate attempts to locate their whereabouts. However, a shocking revelation dawns upon them: the live feed they had been monitoring was actually recorded days prior to Kramer's arrest, and his son had been kept alive in a secure place with the aid of an oxygen mask.

Shortly after, he is kidnapped by a person wearing a pig mask and regains consciousness restrained in the identical bathroom from the initial movie. Amanda then discloses her transformation into Jigsaw's apprentice following her ordeal and securely shuts the door.

In a series of flashbacks, Kramer, deeply affected by his wife Jill (Betsy Russell) leaving him and receiving his cancer diagnosis from Gordon, attempts suicide. However, his botched attempt compels him to see the value in life, inspiring his desire to educate others about rapid rehabilitation, ultimately leading him to assume the identity of Jigsaw.

Saw III and Saw IV… at the same time

The events of Saw III and IV occur approximately six months after Saw II and happen simultaneously. To experience the franchise in its true chronological order, it is recommended to use two screens.

In Saw III, Jigsaw's health deteriorates, leading Amanda to abduct Dr. Lynn Denlon (portrayed by Bahar Soomekh). She compels Lynn to ensure Jigsaw's survival; otherwise, her own life will be ended by a barrage of shotgun shells.

The film continues where Saw II ended, with Matthews breaking his own foot using a toilet lid to escape the bathroom. Detective Allison Kerry is also kidnapped and placed in the notorious Angel Trap, where she is forced to immerse her hand in acid to retrieve a key, only to be torn apart regardless.

As Jeff Denlon completes his own game, Lynn performs surgery on John. Once the surgery is successful, Lynn requests to be set free – but Amanda refuses. She shoots Lynn, but then Jeff enters the room and shoots Amanda. It is then revealed by Kramer that the entire experience was a test for Amanda, as he had suspected her of manipulating the games to make them impossible to win – completely contradicting his instructions and the purpose of his modus operandi.

In Saw IV, the story begins to unravel as we follow Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor), a detective collaborating with FBI Agents Strahm and Perez (Scott Patterson and Athena Karkanis) in their pursuit of Jigsaw's second secret apprentice. Meanwhile, Matthews and his partner Daniel Rigg (Lyriq Bent) find themselves subjected to a series of tests.

Hoffman, previously unknown to be an apprentice, traps Strahm and Rigg in a warehouse. The film concludes as Hoffman discovers a cassette inside Jigsaw's body during an autopsy, shortly after the events of Saw III. The recording from Kramer informs him that the games will continue.

In a series of flashbacks, we not only witness Kramer's failed suicide attempt, which contributed to his transformation into Jigsaw, but also learn about his initial victim: Cecil Adams, a drug addict responsible for his wife's miscarriage. Kramer carves a jigsaw piece from Cecil's skin, giving himself the alias "Jigsaw."

Saw V

Saw V continues the storyline, seamlessly continuing from where Saw III and IV left off after Kramer's demise. Gratefully, Hoffman comes to the rescue of Jeff's daughter, who was previously sentenced to death in an enclosed space.

Following this, Hoffman proceeds to orchestrate a fresh set of challenges involving Strahm, who successfully evades a trap involving a box, alongside a collection of strangers bearing ropes tightly fastened around their necks.

Strahm eventually realizes that Hoffman is the second apprentice of Jigsaw. Despite being advised to enter a box in a room, Strahm decides to push Hoffman into the box. This action unveils a secret game: had Strahm chosen to enter the box, he would have been safe. However, the walls start closing in on him, leading to Strahm being falsely portrayed as Jigsaw's apprentice, thereby allowing Hoffman's reign of terror to persist.

Jill also receives crucial instructions from Kramer, which will have significant significance in a future film.

Saw VI

Continuing from Saw V, the sixth film begins just days later. Strahm is no longer a threat and Hoffman takes on Jigsaw's legacy. His target: William Easton, a health insurance executive who denied Kramer the coverage he needed to survive.

After William meets a gruesome fate by being dissolved in hydrofluoric acid, Jill ambushes Hoffman and follows Kramer's instructions to place a modified reverse bear trap on his head. Although Hoffman manages to escape, his right cheek is severely mutilated in the process.

In addition to discovering William's refusal to provide Kramer with life-saving coverage, we also uncover that Amanda unknowingly played a role in the robbery that resulted in Jill's miscarriage.

Saw 3D (also known as Saw: The Final Chapter)

In the penultimate chapter, the attention shifts to a fierce showdown between Jill and Hoffman as they vie for control over Jigsaw's legacy. Desperate to secure immunity, Jill tries to hand over Hoffman to the authorities, but tragically, he retaliates by murdering her using the iconic reverse bear trap. While there are various subplots and events throughout, these moments are truly pivotal.

Following the gruesome encounter, Hoffman proceeds to demolish his workshop, only to be unexpectedly captured by a trio donning pig masks. Much to his astonishment, one of the masked individuals turns out to be none other than Dr. Lawrence Gordon, a prominent character from the very first film.

Flashbacks: It is later disclosed that Gordon cunningly persevered after amputating his own leg by using a steam pipe to cauterize the wound. Kramer discovered him and chose to spare his life, on the condition that Gordon would become one of his apprentices.

Gordon's ultimate task, as bestowed upon him by Kramer, was to safeguard Jill. Hence, he restrains Hoffman in the very bathroom where their ordeal began, discards the hacksaw, and securely seals the door, condemning him to a certain demise. Undoubtedly, the game reaches its end.

Jigsaw… the rest of it

We find ourselves back in Jigsaw a decade later, after the events of Saw III and IV. Detectives Brad Halloran and Logan Nelson are now on the hunt for a new killer. However, their investigation takes a terrifying turn as they find themselves caught in a deadly laser neck trap. In order to escape, they must confess their sins.

Faced with this dire situation, Brad pressures Logan to confess first. Tragically, Brad meets his demise despite his efforts. Just when we think the suspense has ended, there is one final surprise twist: Logan rises from the floor, resets the trap, and unveils himself as the true killer. In a shocking turn of events, Logan murders Brad and seals them both inside the room.

Flashbacks reveal that Logan, the unidentified man who appeared to die at the start of the movie, was actually the one chosen for the deadly trap. This choice was a result of Logan's medical negligence, which caused a delay in Kramer's diagnosis of an inoperable brain tumor, ultimately leading to his untimely death. However, due to Kramer's own miscalculation resulting in Logan remaining unconscious during the game, his life was unexpectedly saved. This event marked the moment when Logan became Kramer's inaugural disciple, surpassing Amanda in this role.

Spiral: From the Book of Saw

We have now entered the realm of spinoffs with Spiral. This installment in the Saw franchise is set a few years after the events of all the previous movies. The exact time period is not specified. In terms of chronology, Spiral's gruesome deaths and twists occur right at the end, leaving you to discover them for yourself if you watch it.

Don't miss Saw X currently showing in theaters. For more information, please explore our additional coverage below.