Saw X

When considering horror franchises, how many come to mind that have worthwhile sequels that live up to their originals? Now take it a step further and consider how many horror franchises make it to a tenth installment, and then how often is that installment any good? These are the questions one might ask when thinking about Saw X, the tenth installment in an exhausted (and exhausting at times) franchise that arguably peaked at its inception but gave at least a few worthy sequels. Saw X delivers above and beyond all of its predecessors beyond its original work. Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith are front and center for this one, a questionable choice that pays off at the hands of creative writing and strong direction. It's difficult to stay fresh at number X but they manage it here, going back to basics and bringing a little humanity to that series antagonists. Bravo to those involved, because to do this takes work but they managed it here with aplomb. The traps are fewer but this is a Saw movie so they are there, and they are brutally effective when on screen. But like the original we're back to really focusing on the story and not just the brutality. I won't say this is the most surprised I've ever been by a movie but it ranks, because upon hearing that a new Saw was to be made my eyes rolled hard, but seeing the positive reviews I just had to check it out and it lives up in every way. Are you a diehard fan of the franchise? Then this is for you. Did you lose interest after the first. This may also be for you, because nothing has come close since 2004.

Hard to believe the same director and writers that produced the trash of the previous few installments, could deliver such a strong and refreshing take on the Saw franchise.

For seemingly the first time - Saw X takes pause to develop story and characters, which does a beautiful job at building tension in anticipation for what you know is coming, and the pay off is more grizzly than I could have imagined...and boy was it grizzly.

In addition to the 'poster trap' being (in my opinion) the most visually iconic, and eerie looking trap in the whole series. The 'Twist' in Saw X, is that the movie is surprisingly good.

9/10 for a Saw movie. 7/10 as a regular movie.

I can't think of another franchise where the 10th movie is my favorite, but as soon as they announced the premise of Saw X and dropped the trailer, I knew this was it. After 20 years, they finally cracked the code to a great Saw film-and honestly, it feels so obvious in retrospect.

The key? Center the story around the most compelling character in the franchise: Jigsaw himself. For the first time, we experience the film from his perspective, and that single shift changes everything. We're not just watching his traps unfold; we're following his journey. We see why the people in the game deserve to be there before the torture begins, making the entire experience more impactful.

The film delivers a cohesive story with all the signature Saw elements-dark humor, shocking twists, and even emotional depth. Without spoilers, we witness Jigsaw genuinely distraught when innocent lives are at risk, something the franchise has never really explored before.

This movie finally gets it right: a gripping narrative, emotional weight, moments of twisted humor, and, of course, the brutal traps we expect. Saw X isn't just a great sequel-it's the best standalone film in the series. After two decades, they finally nailed the formula.

John Kramer is told he has just months left to live, he's given home of a new treatment, a life saving surgery being held in Mexico, when it doesn't quite go as expected, he takes his revenge.

We're at the point now where new horrors just aren't sticking, hardly anything looks worthy of a follow-up, so we're getting endless Scream and Halloween movies, all of which seem to diminish with time, Saw though has been different, could this later one offer something new?

This latest film really does offer something new, it's unlike any of its predecessors, very much John's story, it's all from his point of view, we're almost made to feel a degree of sympathy for him, it's very, very clever. There's a monster even greater than John Kramer.

I should be used to the macabre deaths by now, but once again they manage to shock and horrify, there are some nasty moments here, a girl a few rows in front of me was actually sick during the second death scene, it is a very nasty moment.

The pace is unlike any other Saw movie, deliberately so, I found the build up very interesting, the fallout was very exciting, not for the faint hearted.

Tobin Bell delivers yet another excellent performance, he really does shine once again, and credit to the makeup team, you see a physical decline in the character as the movie develops, it's very well done.

It made me add The Hollies to my playlist.

Is that the end? I doubt it, I doubt it very much.

8/10.

Great to see Saw franchise back in theaters and not another spinoff. It's been 13 years since I got to enjoy an actual Saw movie in theaters and I got to say I was not disappointed! Without spoiling anything, make sure to hang around after the credits roll. I remember getting hooked on this franchise in October of 2004 as a college kid, expecting something like the movie Seven going in, but leaving not fully knowing that would become my favorite movie of all time. 19 years later I'm still a Saw junkie! This entry, while still very much a Saw movie, was different, but in a good way. The pacing felt like Saw 3 as did the tone. It had good length and did not feel rushed like some of the unfortunate sequels that between Saw 5-3D. This blew Jigsaw and Spiral out of the water!! It's also a movie that would mostly make sense for a new viewer never having seen a Saw movie but also is still going to please most hardcore fans. There weren't as many rabbit holes as I had hoped for but still some surprises. The twist certainly wasn't the best and was not jaw dropping at all, partly because I saw part of it coming a ways off, but this movie didn't need a twist to be great. Saw X is truly a tribute and story for John Kramer, just as we heard it would be. Violence level is right at the top of what we've seen, but more realistic like the early entries and not over the top cheesy violence like in later sequels. That's about all I can say, so enjoy it!