My quick rating - 7.2/10. I was really hoping to squeeze Saw X into my #Shocktober lineup, and honestly, it turned out to be a pretty fitting way to close out the month. In a horror franchise that has often struggled with sequel fatigue and increasingly convoluted timelines, Saw X surprisingly emerges as a dark, inventive entry that breathes some much-needed life back into the series. Who would’ve thought that movie number ten would be the one to pump fresh blood into the trap-filled veins of Saw and not Chris Rock's Spiral?
Taking place between the events of the first Saw and Saw II, this entry sees the series put its sole emphasis on the man himself, John Kramer, once again acted to perfection by the inimitable Tobin Bell. Confronted with his own imminent death, Kramer flees to Mexico in a bid to locate a cure for his plight. Unfortunately, playing around with false hope and the consequences of exploiting the patient’s circumstances turns out to be a very, very bad decision when the patient happens to be Jigsaw. Especially when the man happens to be dying.
I believe one of the film’s biggest strengths is its smart, calculated storytelling. Rather than existing solely to rack up a body count, Saw X actually feels like it has something to say. The story fills the gap of the previously mentioned Saw flicks and creates a path of its own, immersing itself in Kramer’s troubled mind as he navigates his weakness, his fury, and his twisted determination for justice. Kevin Greutert, along with writers Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg, somehow manages the impressive feat of making you pull for John Kramer, which feels morally wrong…yet undeniably effective.
Amanda, brought back by Shawnee Smith, is a good way of connecting this film to the rest of the series. She gets to explore this emotional conflict and loyalty that would be a natural thing to experience. Especially when she is standing right beside Jigsaw on what is so clearly a personal mission. It is actually a good call to make, and it adds well to this continuity without being obvious.
Of course, this is still a Saw movie, and the traps do not disappoint. They're innovative, gruesome, and visually compelling, and they showcase the “sadistic ingenuity” the series has come to be known for. What makes Saw X different from a lot of the “Saw” films, on the other hand, is the fact that the narrative is given the focus it deserves for the first time in a long while, and the writing does not disappoint either
Ultimately, Saw X feels like a proper return to form. The movie pays respect to the legacy of Jigsaw while infusing fresh life so it never feels stale. With performances that have heft, kills inventive in concept, and an exploration into morality and justice unexpectedly thoughtful, Saw X proves even ten movies in, this series still has a few traps left worth stepping into. Whether you want to or not.
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