Good lord, are there really 10 of them? It seems so. Following two reboot attempts in the form of Jigsaw and Spiral: From the Book of Saw, everyone’s favourite dispenser of ironic punishment is back as Saw X slices into New Zealand cinemas from September 28.
Created by Aussie filmmakers James Wan and Leigh Whannell, the Saw series centres on the exploits of the serial killer John Kramer (Tobin Bell), aka Jigsaw, whose deal involves punishing the wicked with a variety of fiendish puzzles/torture devices which often see his victims inflicting all manner of horrible mutilations on themselves in order to avoid certain death.
From this simple but gruesome premise has grown one of the most convoluted narratives in horror history. How convoluted? Well, Jigsaw died in Saw III, and he’s still turning up in this latest offering. How? Look, let’s just go to the official synopsis:
Set between the events of Saw and Saw II, a sick and desperate John Kramer travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer—only to discover the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable. Armed with a newfound purpose, the infamous serial killer returns to his work, turning the tables on the con artists in his signature visceral way through devious, deranged and ingenious traps.
Franchise veteran Kevin Greutert is once again on directing duties. Also returning to the fold is Shawnee Smith Amanda Young, Jigsaw’s most devoted disciple. On the chopping block are Synnøve Macody Lund, Steven Brand, Michael Beach, Renata Vaca, Paulette Hernandez, Joshua Okamoto, and Octavio Hinojosa. We’re betting almost none of them are standing by the time the credits roll.
Saw is easily the gnarliest horror franchise that still has box office legs, so don’t expect this latest instalment to skimp on the gore.
