Spiral: From the Book of Saw

"If you weren’t excited about Chris Rock producing and leading a new Saw film, you had to at least be curious. Indeed, Spiral: From the Book of Saw does a fair amount of manoeuvring to warrant its attempt at refreshing the franchise, and it’s always commendable to see a comedian take their career in unexpected directions. Unfortunately, despite this potential for transforming the tired torture porn series, Spiral ends up being just another Saw film."

"Considering that its lead actor is Black and that it's a thriller pegged to the issue of police immorality, the film confronts that theme in a weirdly untopical, almost garishly generic way."

"A legitimately frightening, if unevenly paced, detective thriller."

"It's not a waste of a concept, exactly, but it's not the reinvention that the franchise needs, either."

"The film's interest in any of the script's weightier themes only stretches so far before its skin begins to bleed at the seams."

"Spiral is... that rarest of reboots - one that will satisfy series diehards and a whole new generation of horror nuts."

"Poor old Jigsaw is probably rolling in his grave."

"The new spinoff is more crime thriller than horror movie, but it retains its infamous torture traps while adding clumsy social commentary."

"Seems primed to explore the present-day fight against police brutality, but it never lives up to that promise."

"Establishes a new tone and style that signifies this entry seeks to break free from the mold."

"Not a game worth playing."

"Torturously bad."