A Reel 20: SAW

“I want to play a game…”

 

This month marks the 20^th anniversary of SAW. 

 

The first of a horror franchise which has so far produced nine sequels with a 10^th on the way in 2025, SAW cut around the tale of the Jigsaw Killer, who tested his victim’s will to live though deadly games. The main story followed two victims who awaken as prisoners with one being ordered to kill the other in order to save his family. 

 

The concept of SAW goes back to 2001, when screenwriter Leigh Whannell co-created the story with director James Wan. After failed attempts to get the script produced, they moved to Los Angeles where they would shoot a low budget short-film of the same name, based on a scene out of the script. In 2003 producers were attracted to the short-film and formed a horror film production label, Twisted Pictures. The film was given a small budget and a shooting schedule of 18 days. 

 

The cast was small but effective. Veteran actor Cary Elwes would play one of the imprisoned victims, with Whannell taking on the role of the other. Danny Glover and Ken Leung would play detectives trying to untwist the case, and Tobin Bell would play the pivotal role of the Jigsaw Kiler. Other roles would be held down by Dina Meyer, Michael Emerson, Shawnee Smith, and Monica Potter. 

 

Lionsgate would pick up the distribution rights to SAW, and premiered it at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival. It was originally intended to be direct-to-video, but after a strong showing a Sundance it was changed to theatrical. On release, SAW would open third at the box office, behind the Oscar-darling RAY and fellow horror-film THE GRUDGE. It would earn steadily to finish as the 54^th highest grossing film of the year. It would be nominated for Best Horror Film at the 31^st Saturn Awards. Over time, it’s many sequels would gross over $1 billion. Initial reviews were mixed, but has moved into a cult-favorite status. The franchise would expand into video games, comics, masks, and action figures. It would be credited with re-starting the splatter genre for the 2000’s.

 

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There is a lot to be said about the rising and falling quality of the SAW sequels that have populated theatres nearly every October for the last 20 years. But none of that matters here, because the first film on its own deserves high praise. Twisted and evil, SAW placed victims into psychological ironic terrors of their own doing. The traps were Jigsaw’s sermons to the world, but unlike most preachers, Jigsaw could actually deliver on the promise of punishment. From a filmmaking standpoint, SAW was expertly put together. The non-linear storytelling kept audiences guessing; building layers of mystery that would be peeled back one at a time...and the mighty twist at the end would be an element that would define the franchise. This was a game worth playing, even just once. 

 

“Game over!”