A Reel Review: SAW X

Some backstory is needed before discussing SAW X; the tenth film in the bloody, gory, preachy, yet somewhat philosophical horror series that started way back in 2004. The first film was a horror masterstroke of twists and turns. The first sequel, SAW II (2005), was clever and effective enough. After that, it became a convoluted mess of timeline-hopping and extended flashbacks, with each film presenting deadly traps that got more and more ridiculous. Now for SAW X, they go back to the approach of timeline-hopping for one more slash at it. 

 

Set between the first and second films, John Kramer (Tobin Bell), is suffering from brain cancer and takes on an experimental treatment. After flying to Mexico for surgery, he discovers that he was a victim of a scam…and decides to hold all those behind it responsible. 

 

Directed by Kevin Greutert, SAW X is committed to the theme of the original film that has driven the franchise: people not appreciating the gift of life and eventually paying for it dearly in cruel yet ironic fashion. It is no spoiler to say that Kramer is the Jigsaw killer who (with some help), has been putting his selected victims in his deadly traps to make them pay for their sins. This time, with Kramer a victim himself, the mission is more personal. As a man knocking on death’s door himself, this is the first SAW film where Jigsaw finally feels justified. 

 

Kramer’s illness and falling for the ruse takes up the first half of the film, and it’s a horror film that plays out as a drama for what seems like a very long time. But it’s human, and it works. Eventually Kramer, along with his loyal assistant Amanda (Shawnee Smith), round-up the bastards behind the medical scam into an abandoned factory, where they must play his deadly games of survival. Here the film gets back to its gory roots. The traps this time are as horrifying and bloody as ever, although some of them push the realm of believability and border on impossible. 

 

Tobin Bell puts in one of his best performances not only as Kramer but in his entire career. There’s an emotional weight that he carries that really works. Shawnee Smith is excellent, and the supporting cast of victims also very good. 

 

The question everyone wants answered is, how is the big twist at the end? Well, it’s not so big, can be seen coming from a mile away by anyone who is vaguely familiar with how movies work, and also relies on an insane amount of luck to happen. SAW X seems to exist to give Kramer/Jigsaw more backstory (most of which we were given VI movies ago), but instead it plays out more like a side-quest. On its own it is functional and delivers the promised blood and guts, but in the broader picture (which SAW likes to pride itself on), it’s kinda pointless. That imbalance doesn’t cut it. 

 

BOTTOM LINE: Rent it