There have not been many movies in 2023 that I was as hyped for as SAW X! This franchise is one of my favorites in the horror genre and I legit believe that there is not a bad movie in the bunch! I managed to keep SAW X spoiler-free for myself, but I had read that this was the most extreme and gory movie in the franchise yet so I was very excited to see it.
How to Download Saw X
Saw X was released on September 29, 2023. You can expect to be able to download or stream the film from a digital platform such as Amazon Prime Video about two months later. Click on the Download button at the end of this review and check the current availability.
The Movie Review
The movie was in good hands. Series mainstay behind the camera Kevin Greutert handled directing duties and the script was done by Josh Stolberg who was no stranger to the SAW franchise either. Plus, we had Tobin Bell back as Jigsaw and Shawnee Smith back as Amanda. Which by the way, why did they feel the need to spoil that Amanda was in this movie?
Key Facts
| Fact | Information |
|---|---|
| Movie Title | SAW X |
| Genre | Horror |
| Release Date | September 29, 2023 |
| Download and Streaming | Expected availability for download/streaming around November 2023. |
| Main Characters | Kevin Greutert (Director), Josh Stolberg (Writer), Tobin Bell (Jigsaw), Shawnee Smith (Amanda) |
| Plot | SAW X is a prequel, taking place after the events of the original SAW but before SAW II. It explores Jigsaw’s desperation to confront his cancer and his involvement in a radical new treatment. |
| Jigsaw’s Motivation | Jigsaw is desperate to do anything to try and defeat the cancer that has a hold on him. He seeks a radical new treatment in Mexico. |
| Character Development | The film humanizes John Krammer (Jigsaw) more than previous entries and showcases a different side of him. |
| Intensity and Gore | While intense, the gore and traps in SAW X are not as extreme as some other films in the series. |
| Twists and Conclusion | The movie features a noteworthy twist and explores a more vulnerable side of Jigsaw at the end. |
| Recommendation | If you enjoy the SAW movies, SAW X is worth checking out in a theater. It also sets up the potential for more films. |
SAW X Plot and Characters
SAW X is a prequel, actually, it is a pre-sequel as it takes place after the events of the original SAW, but before SAW II. I thought that this was the perfect time to set the movie as in SAW II, Jigsaw was already struggling with his cancer so it was good to see Jigsaw here before he was too sick to handle a lot of his “work” personally.
If you have already seen the trailer, well you pretty much know the entire story as the damn trailer for SAW X gave away far too much in my opinion! To be honest, this is a major problem in Hollywood now with trailers giving away too many things that would have been so cool to see in the theatre.
Jigsaw’s Desperation
Anyway, Jigsaw is desperate to do anything to try and defeat the cancer that has a hold on him. While enjoying some quiet time while writing his last will and testament, he sees a man from his cancer support group that appears to be “cured”. As you would expect, he wants to know who did this and how.
Jigsaw is told about a radical new treatment and he buys into it all. Before he knows it, he heads down to Mexico for this wonder treatment. It all seems above board and that these people are legit and he is in very good spirits before he undergoes what he thinks is life-saving treatment.
A Different Side of Jigsaw
This is a very different Jigsaw we are seeing in SAW X. I think that they went above and beyond to try and humanize John Krammer more here. No other movie has him actually in it as much as this one does and that was something I really liked. Tobin Bell has a very captivating voice and presence on screen and I thought that this movie did a great job of showing a different side of him.
The Con and the Tests
As you know from the trailer, turns out this treatment was a con, and boy did they choose to con the wrong person here as they all end up being tested by Jigsaw. This in many ways is a typical SAW movie and that of course is awesome. I would say that it is a good SAW movie too.
Yet, I have to be honest and say that I would probably put this around the middle of the pack. The gore and the traps are not actually as extreme as in some of the other movies. The more I think about it, I am not sure any of the traps here would appear in my top ten SAW traps list.
Conclusion
There were certainly still a few moments that had me wincing and there was a lot of blood in the movie, but I do not know where all this talk of it being the goriest and most extreme movie in the series came from. Still, it was a good time and I have to say it had one of the better twists in the franchise which again showed a more vulnerable side of Jigsaw at the end of the movie too.
If you enjoy the SAW movies, SAW X is 100 percent worth checking out in a theatre. I had a lot of fun with this and it even has a credit scene that is well worth staying for as it sets up more movies. I think that they could get away with this being a soft reboot which if we get to see more of a healthier John Krammer testing people, I would be all for.
SAW X Plot and Characters
SAW X is a prequel, actually, it is a pre-sequel as it takes place after the events of the original SAW, but before SAW II. I thought that this was the perfect time to set the movie as in SAW II, Jigsaw was already struggling with his cancer so it was good to see Jigsaw here before he was too sick to handle a lot of his “work” personally.
If you have already seen the trailer, well you pretty much know the entire story as the damn trailer for SAW X gave away far too much in my opinion! To be honest, this is a major problem in Hollywood now with trailers giving away too many things that would have been so cool to see in the theatre.
Jigsaw’s Desperation
Anyway, Jigsaw is desperate to do anything to try and defeat the cancer that has a hold on him. While enjoying some quiet time while writing his last will and testament, he sees a man from his cancer support group that appears to be “cured”. As you would expect, he wants to know who did this and how.
Jigsaw is told about a radical new treatment and he buys into it all. Before he knows it, he heads down to Mexico for this wonder treatment. It all seems above board and that these people are legit and he is in very good spirits before he undergoes what he thinks is life-saving treatment.
A Different Side of Jigsaw
This is a very different Jigsaw we are seeing in SAW X. I think that they went above and beyond to try and humanize John Krammer more here. No other movie has him actually in it as much as this one does and that was something I really liked. Tobin Bell has a very captivating voice and presence on screen and I thought that this movie did a great job of showing a different side of him.
The Con and the Tests
As you know from the trailer, turns out this treatment was a con, and boy did they choose to con the wrong person here as they all end up being tested by Jigsaw. This in many ways is a typical SAW movie and that of course is awesome. I would say that it is a good SAW movie too.
Yet, I have to be honest and say that I would probably put this around the middle of the pack. The gore and the traps are not actually as extreme as in some of the other movies. The more I think about it, I am not sure any of the traps here would appear in my top ten SAW traps list.
Conclusion
There were certainly still a few moments that had me wincing and there was a lot of blood in the movie, but I do not know where all this talk of it being the goriest and most extreme movie in the series came from. Still, it was a good time and I have to say it had one of the better twists in the franchise which again showed a more vulnerable side of Jigsaw at the end of the movie too.
If you enjoy the SAW movies, SAW X is 100 percent worth checking out in a theatre. I had a lot of fun with this and it even has a credit scene that is well worth staying for as it sets up more movies. I think that they could get away with this being a soft reboot which if we get to see more of a healthier John Krammer testing people, I would be all for.
