Many people would say it’s difficult to keep a franchise relevant, even claiming a sequel is challenging to produce. Despite these challenges, the “Saw” franchise is back for its 10th installment.
Though the script itself is your typical horror movie formula, that is not what fans like you or me are here for when it comes to “Saw.”
“Saw X” follows a cancer victim, John Kramer, as he travels to Mexico with the hope of going through a medical procedure that will save his life. This “miracle” ends up being a scam, meant to deceive the gullible for their wealth. Unfortunately for all the doctors involved in the scheme, John Kramer gets his revenge by kidnapping and putting them into a life or death situation.
The medieval-like contraptions cleverly put together by Kramer is what sets him apart from every other knife-slashing serial killer like Ghostface or Jason Vorhees. When the victims are given a choice between breaking a limb or cutting off a finger, the traps will have you looking away from the gore but will also have you on the edge of your seat, wondering if they will survive or meet their demise.
The film’s trap sequences, while maintaining the gruesome essence of the “Saw” franchise, showcase a higher level of creativity. This provides audiences with a thrilling experience that doesn’t rely solely on shock value. They are truly sickening, more so than any other previous project. The blend of practical effects and CGI effectively brings these traps to life, enhancing the intensity of the scenes.
In terms of plot, “Saw X” goes into the corruption within the medical field, going beyond the gore-focused theme of the franchise. The traps in the film are inspired by various medical procedures, such as brain surgery, amputation, and ocular surgery. The gruesome aspects of the film come into play when the characters have to perform these procedures on themselves while lacking anesthesia. These traps serve as a means to explore themes of moral corruption and punishment, reflecting the film’s message about justice and accountability.
“Saw X” showcases an emotional character development arc that makes this movie better than any other of its previous installments. This film somewhat humanizes John Kramer as a sane individual. It explores his life outside of constructing contraptions, relationships, and daily life, giving him a calm persona. This persona is what mainly shocked me as a die-hard “Saw” fan.
“Saw X” succeeds in revisiting the franchise after two years. It delivers a perfect blend of the medical field, horror, and creativity. With the film’s consistent dark, gloomy sequences, it earned its place as a watch-worthy addition to the iconic “Saw” franchise.
