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Saw is the series that just won’t stop. Some horror fans love these movies, others write them off as nothing but torture porn, but movie-goers usually show up to give them healthy box office returns. Not only did the most recent film, Saw X, wind up making over $100 million worldwide, but it also earned the franchise’s best reviews since the original. But, how does the entire series rank? You can check out our Saw Movies Ranked list below – then let us know how you would rank the movies by leaving a comment!

Saw 3D (2010)

Envisioned as the “Final Chapter”, the seventh Saw movie was released in 3D so it could throw some of the biggest, most over-the-top traps of the franchise right in the viewer’s face. Saw 3D was directed by Saw VI’s Kevin Greutert, who was forced to replace Saw V director David Hackl just...

The 2025 Lighthouse International Film Festival (Liff) has unveiled its program for this summer. The local festival, which takes places on Long Beach Island in New Jersey, will run from June 4 to 8, with special features including the U.S. premiere of Kirill Serebrennikov’s 2024 Cannes hit “Limonov: The Ballad” starring Ben Whishaw. Serebrennikov’s English-language debut was an IndieWire Critic’s Pick from the festival last year.

Liff 2025 has not yet announced its opening night feature, but IndieWire can reveal that Uta Briesewitz’s “American Sweatshop” will close the festival. Highlights also range from the Centerpiece screening of “Omaha” with John Magaro and SXSW Jury Award winner “Slanted.” Jason Alexander will be the keynote speaker for the 25th anniversary of his feature, “Just Looking.” Elegance Bratton is also among the filmmakers who will be in attendance; the director is screening his documentary “Move Ya Body: The Birth of House” at the festival.

Want to play a game? Try to explain the entire "Saw" universe timeline in chronological order, from 2004's "Saw" through 2023's "Saw X."

The wildly popular and influential horror franchise made its mark with its intense use of gore, the performance of star Tobin Bell, and the many iconic traps that torture its characters. But what it's best remembered for by its dedicated fans is its soap-opera-like overarching storyline, featuring fake-out deaths, secret alliances, and a ton of flashbacks.

The "Saw" franchise timeline is so complicated that there isn't an easy answer to the question of what order someone should watch the movies in, with "Saw X" potentially setting up a secondary timeline of events that will continue to unfold parallel to the first nine films. We've done our best to take all the confusing events of the series and place them in order, revealing the hidden narrative that carries the saga of "Saw.

Saw XI has reportedly been cancelled, with production on the horror sequel having halted over a year ago, according to a new update about the movie. Saw XI was confirmed not long after Saw X was released, the tenth installment of the gore-splattered horror franchise which earned critical and commercial success. The sequel was originally scheduled for release on September 27, 2024, before being pushed back an entire year to September 26, 2025. Since then, there's been no news on what to expect from the eleventh movie in the series.

Now, according to Bloody Disgusting, Saw XI has quietly been cancelled, with a source revealing production hasn't been moving forward for "[a]lmost a year now." The report claims infighting among producers stalled production in January 2024, with one trying to "plow forward" on the movie while another tried halting its progress. Lionsgate didn't have anyone to step in and negotiate a path forward, effectively leading to the sequel's cancellation.

Saw III could have been the end of the series. It killed off it’s primary antagonist in Jigsaw and wrapped up everything it could. That’s not how horror franchises work though, do they? While it’s easy to say that the massive 165-million-dollar box office of Saw III is responsible for the production of Saw IV, the truth is that the movie was greenlit before the third entry ever hit the theaters. How would the story progress after the death of John Kramer? Who would be in the directors’ chair to follow up the most successful film in the franchise? What would the original creators have to do with this movie? Sit back and prepare for another game as we find out what happened to Saw IV.

Saw IV opens with the audience witnessing an autopsy. It takes place immediately after Saw III with John Kramer, Jigsaw himself,...

Jigsaw may have set his last trap, as the Saw franchise finds itself in trouble amid the delayed release of the next sequel, Saw XI. A new report by Scream Magazine claims that, according to “a reliable source,” the eleventh Saw movie has come across several problems, including issues behind the scenes with the studio, Lionsgate, and problems with returning star Tobin Bell.

Saw XI was initially given a release date of September 27, 2024. However, this was quickly pushed back to September 26, 2025, with Bell later confirmed to return as the infamous serial killer John Kramer, Aka Jigsaw. The source tells Scream Magazine “that it looks highly unlikely that Saw XI will meet its new September 2025 release date. It has been hinted that there are significant problems behind the scenes, and “unless something major changes,” Saw XI won’t be coming next fall.”

The issues at Lionsgate are likely due to the studio’s current financial losses,...

Saw's Jigsaw has come to life in a creepy, gender-swapped cosplay that imagines if Billy the Puppet were female, giving a new perspective to the series. Throughout its 10 core entries, the Saw movies have seen John Kramer (Tobin Bell), otherwise known as Jigsaw, kidnap dozens of people and makes them go through torturous gauntlets, a twisted form of getting them to appreciate their lives more. The killer utilizes Billy the Puppet, a pale, black-haired ventriloquist dummy with red swirls on his cheeks, to deliver messages to his victims, acting as the face of his serial killer alter ego.

Now, AshleyArtistryy_ has released a cosplay of herself as Jigsaw's Billy puppet, bringing the Saw villain to life in a gender-swapped rendition. She sports white facepaint and red lipstick, alongside wavy black hair and red contacts to match the puppet's eyes. Painted on her cheeks are two small spirals, while she wears a red bowtie,...

Of all the historic Hollywood horror franchises, one in particular has maintained its relevance better than the rest. While people still remember The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Child's Play, and The Nightmare on Elm Street, they aren't flocking to the theaters year after year to see the new installment. With an entire company of dedicated filmmakers aiding its growth, James Wan and Leigh Whannell's baby is about to reach adulthood. 21 years into the Saw franchise, and the series is as relevant as it has ever been. If the success of the previous installment is any indication, it seems like it won't be stopping anytime soon.

Fresh off the wild success of Saw X, critically and financially, the team at Twisted Pictures hopes to deliver another satisfying entry. The eleventh entry in the Saw franchise, Saw XI, is currently slated for a 2025 release, but what other information about the highly-anticipated sequel is out there?...

Saw X appears to have reinvigorated the Saw franchise, so while we wait for Saw XI to come along, we here at Arrow in the Head have decided to take a look back at the previous films in the series to compile a list of the Best Saw Traps. There were many traps to choose from, but the idea here was to narrow it down to the best trap (or trap scene) from each individual movie. Check out our picks below, and let us know what your favorite traps were in the comments section.

Saw – Reverse Bear Trap

Of course this one had to make the list, since it’s the most popular trap in the entire franchise and the one most strongly remembered by the general audience. The reverse bear trap caught so much attention when it showed up in the first film, they brought it back in a couple of the sequels.

The promise that John Kramer will continue to wreak havoc as the Jigsaw killer in Saw 11 is a huge relief after the disappointment of his supposed replacement earlier in the franchise. After Saw X became the best-reviewed Saw movie ever made and a hit at the box office, the franchise is bigger than ever. Set for a theatrical release on September 26, 2025, Saw 11 is the most highly anticipated Saw film in years, and that's a lot of pressure to live up to.

Tobin Bells latest Saw 11 update is a positive sign for the upcoming sequel. Apart from being touted as a direct sequel to Saw X, the details of Saw 11 are being kept under wraps. That said, in a recent interview, Bell promised that John Kramer is not done, suggesting hell be back in Saw 11. Previously, the cliffhanger ending of Saw X seemed to suggest that the franchise would be repeating...

While the franchise started out as a low-budget horror movie, it takes a lot to have the Saw movies explained from the increasingly complicated timeline. Despite the franchise's popularity, it hit a point where some critics complained that the further along the series progressed, the harder it was to keep up without having seen every entry in it, preferably recently. Whether that was a big issue is debatable, Saw definitely tried its best to tie everything together for most of its run in a way that other horror series didn't always try.

For the first eight movies, the series all followed one relatively consistent Saw plot point centered around John "Jigsaw" Kramer. However, the spinoff ninth installment Spiral took place years later with a copycat killer of sorts. 2023's Saw X pulls off the shocking move of bringing Jigsaw back into the fold despite the fact that he died way...

When searching for inspirational pieces of wisdom during unmotivated or unexciting periods, the Saw franchise hardly seems like a font of inspiration for that much-needed encouragement. A horror movie series that provides its gore-adoring fans with torturous traps and violent visuals aided by lots of blood does not seem all that inspiring. To think any inspirational quotes would come from its star of a serial killer, Jigsaw, may seem like quite a stretch. However, despite how sinister Saw's villain is in the franchise, John Kramer has said many insightful things during his time masquerading as the infamous Jigsaw.

Throughout the Saw saga, John Kramer orchestrates his games not out of masochism, but instead to motivate his victims to survive. His philosophy revolves around the idea that to help people, they need to be subjected to "tests" to prove whether they appreciate their lives and deserve to keep living them,...

Before digital tools allowed composers to simulate any instrument on a laptop, musical scores for TV were simple melodies performed by a handful of session musicians. The newer technology meant those musicians lost their jobs; so did the guy who transcribed the composer’s scores.

However: That doesn’t mean scores require fewer people, or became cheaper to produce.

Today, even the smallest TV shows employ full orchestras. Tech made things easier, but the cost to produce scores for film and TV has only increased. With greater possibilities, more advanced jobs replaced those that were lost.

That’s the analogy Matt Nix, showrunner for “Burn Notice” and the recent “True Lies,” used when describing the advent of artificial intelligence at the May 16 AI on the Lot summit at Los Angeles Center Studios. He rejected the idea that AI will become a pathway to low-cost filmmaking and TV production that uses...

The Saw franchise delivers chilling moments through both visceral gore and sinister quotes, showcasing its ability to captivate with words. The movies explore introspective themes and offer surprising moments of philosophical dialogue, adding complexity to the disarming focus on dismemberment. John Kramer, the self-appointed moral judge known as the Jigsaw Killer, justifies his brutal actions with twisted teachings and a contempt for those he deems unappreciative of life.

Though it is most known for its brutal traps, the most sinister Saw quotes prove the franchise can deliver chilling moments with words as well as visceral gore. Following the release of the first movie in 2004, the Saw franchise has evolved from an intriguing premise to a deep and interwoven story across 9 sequels and a spinoff. The movies follow the twisted tale of John Kramer (Tobin Bell), the self-appointed moral judge known as the Jigsaw Killer, enacting his vengeance on those he deems unappreciative of life.

Mark Hoffman's traps were more physically taxing and brutal compared to John Kramer's, but John's traps were technically correct and foolproof. John conceived the Jigsaw persona, and many of the traps used by his apprentices were his own conceptions. While Hoffman lasted longer as Jigsaw than John, he ignored John's philosophy and focused on disposing of his enemies rather than redeeming them.

Many have tried, but none have matched the prowess of Saw's original Jigsaw killer, John Kramer. In his years as Jigsaw, John converted many apprentices to work alongside him, studying his philosophy in the hopes that one day, one of them would surpass him to continue his legacy.

In Saw II and Saw III, much of John's work is left in the hands of Amanda Young, a drug addict who survived her trial and worshiped John as a mentor. From Saw IV until his open-ended demise in Saw 3D,...

Amanda Young, Jigsaw's apprentice in the Saw franchise, creates traps that are impossible to beat, showing her interest in punishing rather than testing people. Amanda's love for Jigsaw is evident in Saw III, where her jealousy leads to her killing another victim and causing her own demise. Amanda's motivation for creating unbeatable traps may stem from jealousy, as she wants to prevent Jigsaw from choosing other apprentices and preserving their exclusive relationship. Other apprentices, like Mark Hoffman, have also built impossible traps.

Amanda Young (Shawnee Smith) is brought on by Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) as an apprentice in the Saw films and is known for creating traps that are impossible to beat, leading some to question her motives and if Amanda was in love with Jigsaw, or if she was betraying him. Amanda is not the first of Jigsaw’s protégés, however, she is the one met earliest in the franchise.

No good villain is ever truly gone, especially in horror movies. This September saw the return of Tobin Bell as John Kramer, a.k.a. “Jigsaw,” the trap-making serial killer of the Saw movies, with the release of Saw X. This is despite the fact that Kramer has been dead since the end of Saw III, which came out back in 2006. But a little thing like death never stopped the Saw franchise. Instead of literally bringing Kramer back from the dead, the subsequent sequels continued Bell’s participation with devices like flashbacks. Hell, even Saw IV played a trick on audiences by staging a lot of its action at the same time as Saw III.

One of those post-Kramer sequels celebrates its 15th anniversary this year: Saw V, which featured Costas Mandylor as Detective Mark Hoffman, a murderous cop who became Jigsaw’s protégé and continued his campaign of bloodshed.

Saw X is the 10th installment in the Saw franchise and features the return of Tobin Bell as John Kramer, the Jigsaw Killer. It takes place between the first two movies and follows Kramer seeking vengeance on con artists who tricked him with a fake medical operation. The movie introduces a mystery detective character named Mark Hoffman, who has a significant role in the overall franchise. Hoffman, an apprentice of Jigsaw, becomes Kramer's successor as the new Jigsaw Killer. Despite his official introduction in Saw IV, it's revealed in Saw V that Hoffman was brought under Kramer's wing much earlier. Mark Hoffman makes a surprise appearance in Saw X's mid-credits scene, where he assists Kramer in trapping Henry, a friend who was part of the con operation. This scene suggests that while most of the movie is set in Mexico, Hoffman likely worked on Henry's punishment in the US...

Saw 11 is an opportunity to finally explain the baffling and nonsensical relationship between Jigsaw and his apprentice, Dr. Lawrence Gordon. Gordon's backstory of why he would work for Jigsaw after everything he went through needs to be filled in for a more complete understanding of the franchise. Focusing on Gordon's backstory in Saw 11 would bring the franchise full circle and return the spotlight to the original storyline centered around Jigsaw.

The Saw franchise has never fully explained Jigsaw’s relationship with his most confounding apprentice, but Saw 11 is the filmmakers’ chance to finally fill in those blanks. After the massive success of Saw X – not just commercially but also, surprisingly, critically – it’s only a matter of time before the producers make Saw 11. It’s not a question of “if,” it’s a question of “when.” As soon as a writer comes to the studio with a good enough story,...

The Saw franchise has had various apprentices working under Jigsaw, but one character, Mark Hoffman, is disliked due to his abuse of power and evil actions. Jigsaw's mission to inspire appreciation for life necessitated the recruitment of apprentices, as he couldn't be in multiple places at once. Most apprentices share Jigsaw's vision, but Hoffman does not. Future Saw movies should focus on exploring other apprentices, such as Amanda Young and Logan, who are more favored by audiences. Reintroducing Lawrence Gordon and having him confront Hoffman could be interesting.

The Saw franchise has introduced many different apprentices working under Jigsaw's command, and while most of them are welcomed with open arms, there is one unlikable character who has sat on the fence at the best of times and outright been hated during the worst. Even though it takes a particular type of individual to work for someone like Jigsaw, most would...

The Saw franchise introduced numerous Jigsaw apprentices, causing disbelief and confusion as their numbers grew, some unaware of each other. Zep Hindle, though not a traditional apprentice, played a sadistic role in Jigsaw's game, relishing in the power he held over his victims. The rivalry between Mark Hoffman and Amanda Young, both Jigsaw apprentices, led to a departure from Jigsaw's ethos, as they crafted traps with little chance of survival.

In the Saw movies, almost every entry introduced yet more Jigsaw apprentices, to mixed reactions. While most horror villains work alone, Jigsaw beginning the Saw franchise with terminal cancer essentially forced him to seek help to complete his various master plans, as he wasn't always physically healthy enough to execute them. This led to the idea of Jigsaw apprentices, which were used to continue John Kramer's work long after his onscreen death in Saw III.

As the Saw films went on,...

The future of the Saw franchise is likely to involve more prequel movies, which could further explore the stories of key characters like John Kramer, Amanda Young, and Mark Hoffman. Saw X set the stage for Saw 11 by leaving open the possibility for more installments and introducing characters who could return from the dead. The timeline still has gaps that can be explored. Saw 11 should bring back familiar faces like John Kramer, Amanda Young, Mark Hoffman, Jill Tuck, Allison Kerry, Lawrence Gordon, Eric Matthews, and Logan Nelson to add depth to their stories and set up future events in the franchise.

The future of the Saw franchise looks to be more prequel movies, and there are some major characters Saw 11 needs to bring back in that event. Saw X took the franchise in a new direction by focusing squarely on John Kramer, but it was the movie's prequel setting that...

The Exorcist: Believer will have to tease the future, but that doesn't necessarily mean the use of a post-credits scene. The Exorcist franchise has a long and controversial history, but it has found success in the past. The Exorcist: Believer focuses on Regan's mother, Chris, as she helps two families dealing with possession.

When it comes to the demonic possession genre, it's safe to say 2023 has been a banner year. Movies such as Evil Dead Rise, The Pope's Exorcist and It Lives Inside have dissected adults and kids being used as Satanic vessels. However, with Halloween right around the corner, the property that's credited as the grandfather of them all is back in play.

This is The Exorcist: Believer, which continues the narrative of Pazuzu and the MacNeil family from the '70s. This time, the franchise is being adjusted for a modern generation, with David Gordon Green,...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Saw X!

Saw X smartly brings back familiar characters without making the mistake of de-aging them, allowing their stories to continue naturally in a prequel setting. De-aging technology would have been distracting and costly for Saw X, making it a smart decision not to use it. By letting audiences overlook the age differences of the returning cast, Saw X avoids the risks and potential negative effects of de-aging technology.

There are several returning characters in Saw X from previous movies, but the movie smartly avoids a fatal mistake with them. For the tenth installment in a franchise, it should come as no surprise that Saw X features a few familiar faces. Movie franchises are largely built on audiences knowing existing characters and staying invested in the story to see how they individually progress. This is why one of the most exciting aspects of Saw X was...

Historically, when it comes to spectacle, violence has been one of the major factors that has worked like a charm to attract audiences, as it is undeniably one of the integral parts of the struggle for existence itself. But without proper causality, nuance, and intertextuality, the display of wanton violence only serves as a cheap crowd-puller. That’s what James Wan and Leigh Whanell had always kept in mind while creating the iconic thriller/slasher movie “Saw” in 2004, which eventually spawned a franchise complete with its own mythology, characters, and legacy and grew large enough through the last couple of decades to become one of the top-grossing horror franchises to date. Although the later entries lost much of the subtlety and innovativeness of the original trilogy due to drastic narrative changes, the recently released “Saw X” has returned to its roots to reinvigorate the franchise once again.

Initially revolving around the shenanigans of the eccentric,...

Warning: The following article contains major spoilers for Saw X.

Saw X producer explains how the movie's ending presents John Kramer with his first real opponent, making Cecilia Pederson a true antagonist. Cecilia Pederson's fate at the end of the movie is left ambiguous, potentially setting the stage for her to return in future Saw franchise installments. With the return of Mark Hoffman and the possibility of a legitimate rivalry, the next chapter of the franchise could surpass Saw X.

Saw X producer Oren Koules explains how the movie's ending twist saw John Kramer (Tobin Bell) have a real challenge for the first time. Near the movie's climax, Parker Sears (Steven Brand), who was introduced as a patient of Dr. Cecilia Pederson (Synnøve Macody Lund), was revealed to be part of the "doctor's" con, forcing them to gain the upper hand against Kramer and chaining him into one of his traps.

Warning: This post contains spoilers for Saw X!

The Saw X post-credits sequence features a callback to the original movie by taking place in the iconic bathroom setting. The production team went to great lengths to recreate the bathroom, studying the tile and paying attention to detail. Saw X's success could potentially lead to another installment in the franchise, especially with the appearance of Hoffman in the post-credits scene.

Saw X production designer Anthony Stabley explains how he and his team went to great lengths to create a callback to the original movie in the sequel's post-credits sequence. The latest installment of the Saw franchise takes place between the events of the original film and 2005's Saw II. For the first time, Tobin Bell's John Kramer takes center stage in the lead role as he travels to Mexico for a medical procedure to deal with his cancer. When...

Major Spoilers for Saw X. Consider yourself warned. John Kramer is back, and with the success of Saw X, we likely haven’t seen the last of him. The latest installment of the Saw franchise has received the best reviews of the series by far, so it’s probably only a matter of time before Lionsgate announces Saw 11.

Related October Horror Movie Preview: A Rundown of All The Movies We Can Expect for Spooky Season

Saw X sets up a possible sequel with a mid-credits scene that features the return of Mark Hoffman (Costa Mandylor), Jigsaw’s other apprentice who went on to become the antagonist of the later sequels. It’s possible that Saw 11 could pick up this thread and explore the relationships between John Kramer and his apprentices. While speaking with Dexerto, franchise producers Mark Burg and Oren Koules teased that Saw 11 could see more actors from the franchise coming back.

The following contains spoilers for Saw X, now playing in theaters.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Saw X director Kevin Greutert sat down to discuss what the newest film offers fans -- specifically, the post-credits scene.

The primary plot prequel falls between the previous Saw and Saw 2, as John Kramer (Tobin Bell) and Amanda (Shawnee Smith) torture a group of con artists who naively attempt to convince Kramer they've cured his cancer. For fans who stay seated after the credits roll, however, another sadistic Saw franchise villain makes an appearance alongside Jigsaw: Costas Mandylor's Mark Hoffman. The crooked cop can be seen with Jigsaw torturing Henry (Michael Beach), another con artist.

Related: Saw X Producers Admit Regret Over Killing Off Tobin Bell's Jigsaw Early in the Series

Saw's Past and Possible Future

According to Greutert, Mark Hoffman's appearance is "probably the most fan servicey thing that [they] did in this film.

Saw X marks a turning point for the declining franchise, with the best opening weekend and critic score, potentially rejuvenating interest. Director Kevin Greutert suggests Saw X could be the last movie in the series, emphasizing a sense of finality in the storyline. Despite the possibility of Saw 11, a direct sequel to Spiral is viewed as a major risk due to its negative reception, but the franchise can explore other storylines.

Saw X has garnered the franchise's first real rave reviews, but that might be too little, too late given that the 2023 release could be the last movie in the series. The Saw franchise has been on a downward spiral for years, as the highest-grossing movie in the series was Saw III in 2006 (via The Numbers), and since then, interest in the franchise has been significantly declining. The Saw movies hit a new low when 2021's Spiral grossed just $39 million worldwide.

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Saw X.

The traps in Saw X are still gruesome but are handled in a more cohesive and story-driven manner. Saw X breaks the franchise's trend of opening with a death trap, focusing instead on John Kramer's journey and his accomplice, Amanda. Saw X succeeds by stripping away the complex plots and unnecessary characters, returning to Jigsaw's original objective and reviving the franchise brilliantly.

The heart of the Saw franchise has always been its gruesome but ingenious traps, and Saw X makes an impact by breaking one of the noteworthy trap trends seen throughout the franchise. As it stands currently, Saw X has the best Rotten Tomatoes score of any movie in the series, and one reason it's getting good reviews is how it handles its traps. In past Saw movies, it seemed like sound plot structure and character motivation were ignored in favor...

Saw X is a prequel movie that delves into John Kramer's past, adding depth to his character. Saw X sets up the potential for future sequels that can focus on other characters and eras of Kramer's life. Saw X introduces a character who could potentially become another apprentice to Jigsaw.

The following contains spoilers for Saw X, now playing in theaters.

When Tobin Bell's John Kramer was announced for Saw X, many fans wondered if revisiting the past would work. Most did embrace the concept, though, as the Saw movies haven't been the same since the death of Jigsaw. In this case, it works to perfection as the franchise details a prequel narrative that is very much as personal as it is business.

Jigsaw is incensed to go after a medical team in between Saw and Saw II, bitter they duped him out of $250,000 for a fake procedure to cure his cancer.

The following contains spoilers for Saw X, now playing in theaters.

With Tobin Bell's John Kramer revived for Saw X, the prequel movie proves to be one of the most brutal entries in the entire franchise. This chapter takes fans back between Saw and Saw II, with Jigsaw deciding to maim, torture and reform people who tricked him into paying for a cancer cure. It's quite personal, with Kramer needing help given the scope of this crusade fans never knew existed.

Amanda Young returns, as well as Detective Mark Hoffman, in what should be a simple plot of making the villains squirm until they decide to be better. However, Saw X runs into quite a few problems. It leaves the narrative feeling thin with many cracks and some aspects not adding up despite being pertinent talking points.

Related: The Creator's Biggest Plot Holes & Unanswered Questions

Why Does Cecilia's Team Leave Evidence Behind?...

Warning: Major Spoilers lie ahead for Saw X!

Saw X director Kevin Greutert breaks down the major cameo in the sequel's mid-credits scene, calling it "the most fan servicey thing that we did" for hardcore fans. Greutert explains that the return of Costas Mandylor's Mark Hoffman was a way to wrap up the story of another character and have fun in the process. The director admits that they wanted to give the hardcore fans what they were hoping for and delivered it on a nice platter.

With two major returns already seen in the movie, Saw X director Kevin Greutert breaks down the major cameo featured in the sequel's mid-credits scene. The latest installment in the horror franchise takes place between the first two movies, following Tobin Bell's John Kramer as he brings his Jigsaw methods to Mexico after a group of con artists scam him into thinking they successfully cured his cancer.

Saw X dives into the story between Saw I and II. The mid-credits scene shows Jigsaw and Hoffman torturing a man named Henry. Mark Hoffman's backstory and his complicated relationship with Jigsaw.

The following contains spoilers for Saw X, now playing in theaters.

As Saw X unfolds, fans are treated to yet another gory chapter in the iconic horror franchise. This time, Tobin Bell's John Kramer, aka Jigsaw, takes them on a trip down memory lane. The movie dives into the story between Saw I and II, dissecting how Amanda faced her first trials as Jigsaw's apprentice.

Now, while things don't go according to plan when the duo tortures the people who duped Kramer with a cancer cure, the ending has them coming out on top. But as Saw X's mid-credits show, this was just the beginning. There are many stories Kramer and his apprentices had in between,...

It’s hard to overstate just how big the “Saw” movies were in the 2000s. The original low-budget horror film is about a serial killer who forces his victims to mutilate themselves to survive his deathtraps was such a hit that every single year, a new sequel would come out for Halloween season. And every single year, it printed money.

But although the many “Saw” films rely on an easily repeatable premise, they’re not formulaic films. Indeed, they’re highly unusual in their scope and ambition, telling a multilayered story across many timelines simultaneously, with a vast mythology and a complex moral code. There’s a genuine ingenuity to most of the “Saw” movies that can take your breath away, whether you get wrapped up in its grotesque world or simply marvel at how ambitious it gets.

So let’s play a little game, and take a look at...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Saw X!

Saw X has a post-credits scene, the first in the franchise, that connects to the overall Saw universe and sets up potential future movies. The mid-credits scene brings back Detective Mark Hoffman for a new game, hinting at a continuation of the story in Saw 11. The post-credits scene leaves the door open for new adventures and explores the rivalry between Amanda and Hoffman, potentially setting up further exploration in future prequels.

The Saw franchise returns with another story focused on John Kramer, and Saw X does have a post-credits scene teasing more. The tenth installment in the horror franchise comes two years after the last entry, which marked the first to not include Tobin Bell's Jigsaw. Saw X brings John Kramer back for his biggest role yet, as the movie goes back to nearly the beginning of the series to make Bell's character the hero of the story.

The past two weekends have been rough for theaters, as the riches of “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” have worn off and overall grosses have fallen to levels not seen since mid-February. Fortunately, a trio of new genre films are here to bring some business back.

The threesome in question are Lionsgate’s “Saw X,” a back-to-basics approach to the gory horror franchise that defined the genre in the 2000s; Paramount’s preschooler family film “Paw Patrol: The Mighty Movie,” the latest offering from the Nick Jr. series that has become a merchandising titan; and Disney/20th Century’s “The Creator,” an original sci-fi film from “Rogue One” director Gareth Edwards.

Trackers don’t have a consensus on whether “Saw X” or “Paw Patrol 2” will be the No. 1 film. Distribution sources have told TheWrap that projections for “Saw X” have ranged as low as $15 million and as high as $25 million, while projections...

Welcome to the ultimate Saw Cheat Sheet! The Saw Franchise has been a cornerstone of the horror genre for nearly two decades, leaving audiences both horrified and captivated. With its intricately twisty plots, moral dilemmas, and iconic traps, it’s no wonder the series has garnered such a dedicated following. But with so many twists and turns, it’s easy to get lost in Jigsaw’s maze. Let’s break it down, shall we?

As we approach the release of the eagerly awaited Saw X, this Saw movie guide serves both newcomers wanting an introduction and long-time fans desiring a refresher. This cheat sheet will walk you through every major detail of the Saw films, ensuring you’re well-prepared for whatever Jigsaw has in store next.

Warning: This article contains major spoilers for all nine Saw films. If you haven’t seen them and don’t want to know the twists,...

Saw X takes place "weeks after" the events of the original Saw. The producer sees this new movie as essentially Saw II. This timeline allows for the return of Jigsaw and Amanda Young, who are both deceased characters.

A producer for Saw X has clarified where in the timeline the new horror sequel takes place. The movie, which is the tenth in the ongoing Saw franchise, features the return of the engineering genius killer Jigsaw (Tobin Bell), who died during the events of 2006’s Saw III. Saw X takes place before that time, allowing the likewise deceased Jigsaw acolyte Amanda Young (Shawnee Smith) to make an appearance as well.

In anticipation of the official Saw X release date of September 29, Bloody Disgusting shared a quote from producer Oren Koules on Twitter that clarifies exactly when the new movie will take place.

#SawX takes place "weeks after" the end of the original Saw movie.

John Kramer's death in Saw III took the Saw franchise in a different direction. John Kramer's death allowed for more insight into his life through flashbacks. Fans may never know whether John Kramer's death helped or hindered the Saw series, but his legacy can never be questioned.

When it comes to long-standing horror movie franchises, it can be hard to imagine what they would be like without their main antagonist causing murderous mayhem in each movie. A Friday the 13th without Jason Vorhees or a Halloween without Michael Myers seems like it would be a detriment to the series, especially with such iconic figures being the faces of their films. And yet, the Saw franchise with its puppet-presenting villain in Jigsaw took an unexpected turn when John Kramer, the main villain pulling the strings in the Jigsaw Murders, was killed at the end of the third movie. Although anyone...

This article contains descriptions of violence and gore.

The Saw franchise is best known for its grisly traps, with viewers hooked on the story of the Jigsaw Killer and his elaborate setups. Saw V's Pendulum trap, Saw VI's Shakespearean Dilemma trap, and Saw III's Rack trap are some of the most brutal and memorable in the series. Despite its weak plot, Spiral: From the Book of Saw featured a memorable trap where a victim must rip out their tongue or be torn apart by an oncoming train.

The Saw franchise features plenty of clever twists (and some admittedly dumb ones), but a look back on its most brutal traps explains the real reason the horror series is still best remembered for its grisly life-or-limb setups. When Saw arrived in cinemas in 2004, the psychological horror movie proved a huge sleeper hit. Saw’s ingenious premise saw a pair of seemingly innocent men awaken in a dark,...

One of the most influential and alluring jobs in journalism just opened. Now the company trying to fill the position is waiting to see if anyone really wants it.

Warner Bros. Discovery is expected to move deliberately rather than quickly in its search for a new CEO for CNN. Executives are telling staffers and TV agents that it will likely take a few months to fill the role that Chris Licht held for one turbulent year. Licht, the TV news veteran and “Late Show With Stephen Colbert” showrunner, was ousted last week after spearheading a series of programming moves and talent decisions that kept headlines about CNN circulating more often than anything else produced by the newsroom. Licht’s final error was taking part in a profile The Atlantic published June 2 — 15,000 words detailing a “Meltdown at CNN.” Numerous statements from Licht in the story and his questionable judgment in allowing...

Whether you liked the ninth installment or not, Chris Rock was a major force behind "Spiral," you know, the latest joint from "the book of Saw" — whatever that means. Was there a book? Anyway, the comedian originally had different ideas for the 2020 horror hit. In a Hollywood Reporter profile from September of that year, it was revealed that Rock almost changed the entire tone of the film — and by extension, the "Saw" franchise itself — with a pitch he made for the ninth installment.

As the story goes, Rock encountered the head of the film group at Lionsgate, the company that produces the "Saw" films, at a mutual friend's wedding, where he then suggested to the exec that they make another entry in the comedic style of the Eddie Murphy and Nick Nolte hit "48 Hours." Rock supposedly came up with this pitch on the fly, but weeks later, "Saw" producer...

Noah Oppenheim, president of NBC News since early 2017, will leave the organization in an unorthodox shake-up that will elevate three different executives, effectively separating the massive news outlet into different pieces, all of which will report to Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCUniversal’s portfolio of news assets.

Under a new structure, Libby Leist, the NBC News executive who oversees “Today,” and Janelle Rodriguez, the NBC News executive who supervises the streaming outlet NBC News Now, will both report to Conde. They will be joined by Rebecca Blumenstein, a senior editor at The New York Times who will take up the role of president of editorial for NBC News and who will also report to Conde. Blumenstein is charged with oversight of editorial, news gathering, bureaus, field operations, booking, “Meet the Press,” “Dateline,” and NBC News Studios.

The reorganization means that NBC News’ most popular programs will no longer be under...

NBCUniversal (NBCU) has signed BBC Studios Global Distribution COO Maggy Chan to lead its global advertising and partnerships in the U.S., Emea and Asia Pacific, replacing Kc Sullivan, who recently became CNBC President.

Chan, a 25-year entertainment and media veteran, will work with international advertising and partnerships teams to expand, grow global reach and help advertisers reach 1B viewers across 150 countries, building on ties with Sky, Apple News and Rtl AdConnect. Reporting to Linda Yaccarino, Chairman, Global Advertising and Partnerships, Chan will be based in the UK and work closely with the division’s local and national teams.

She joins from BBC Studios, where she has worked her way up the ranks over the past 15 years, most recently filling the Global Distribution COO role.

Chan replaces Kc Sullivan, who was promoted in September to replace longtime CNBC head Mark Hoffman.

“I’m excited for Maggy to leverage her global...

Shepard Smith will depart CNBC as his newscast will have its final episode later this month, ending a two-year effort to establish a presence for the high-profile anchor in the network’s nighttime hours.

CNBC president Kc Sullivan wrote in a memo Thursday that The News with Shepard Smith will have its final episode later this month. Plans are for a new business program in that time slot at the start of 2023.

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“Decisions like these are not arrived at hastily or taken lightly,” Sullivan wrote. “I believe this decision will ultimately help to strengthen our brand and the value we provide our audiences.” Smith will...

CNBC has opted not to renew “The News With Shepard Smith” after two years, citing a push toward business news and personal finance coverage, per CNBC. The veteran journalist will depart later this month as new chairman Kc Sullivan completes his first network shakeup during his tenure.

The primetime nonpartisan general news program at the NBCUniversal venue will be discarded in favor of a live show that focuses on business news, launching in 2023 and with anchors set to be announced. For the time being, the slot will be filled with markets coverage, according to an email sent Thursday to CNBC employees.

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“After spending time with many of you and closely reviewing the various aspects of our business, I believe we must prioritize and focus on our core strengths of business news and personal finance,” Sullivan said in the memo.

Like many other TV anchors at business-news outlet CNBC, Shepard Smith finds himself facing a closing bell.

The veteran journalist, who arrived at the NBCUniversal venue in the fall of 2020 with a mission to grow the network’s audience in early evening with a non-partisan general-news program, will leave CNBC as it focuses more intently on its core product: information tailored for viewers interested in the markets and personal finance.

Smith’s last show will air later in November, and CNBC intends to replace his program, “The News with Shepard Smith,” with an evening hour devoted to business news in early 2023. The anchors for that program will be named at a later date, and it remains to be seen whether CNBC will select candidates from among its current roster or seek to woon someone from outside its ranks.

The maneuver is an early one for CNBC under its new leader,...

If it's Halloween, it must be "Saw." The franchise, first conceived by genre maestro James Wan and scribe Leigh Whannell, set the horror world ablaze. So much so, that by the time the fourth entry hit theaters in 2007, Lionsgate Films positioned the franchise as part and parcel of the Halloween season itself. Like Michael Myers or Freddy Krueger, franchise antagonist John Kramer, otherwise known as Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) became a horror icon. Often only heard in voiceover through the use of Billy the Puppet — an indelible piece of horror iconography — John Kramer radically subverted horror expectations.

John Kramer, dying from colon cancer, develops a series of tests for those he perceives as taking their lives for granted. He traps ostensible participants in deadly scenarios, forcing them to make difficult choices to survive. While the series postures as some kind of moral imperative, it mostly serves as a series of Grand Guignol exhibitions of outrageous,...