Acting as a direct sequel to the original 2004 film that started it all; Saw X tells the story of an increasingly frustrated John Kramer, struggling to come to terms with his terminal cancer diagnosis. Ultimately seeking out an experimental medical procedure in Mexico, there’s newfound hope for John, but things don’t exactly go to plan and it soon unravels into a quest for vengeance.
As the series hits double digits, you’d be forgiven for being sceptical that the John Kramer story can still deliver, but Saw X is arguably the best that the franchise has ever had to offer. It’s dark, it’s disturbing, and the initial setup for how the story plays out is genuinely rather impressive and engaging. It’s the longest film in the series, but at no point does it feel like it outstays its welcome.
Saw X feels logical, it’s different, and with Tobin Bell more central than ever and putting in an absolutely incredible performance as John Kramer; this feels like an extremely special moment in the series, celebrating the franchise in style and doing it extremely proud.
By taking things back to the start, Saw X is able to wipe out a lot of the fluff that came later in the series, put the focus on John Kramer, and provide you with a logical backstory and reasoning as to why he feels that the various characters depicted here need to face the consequence of their actions. With some extremely brutal displays of gore and intensely gruesome depictions of torture; Saw X feels like a triumphant return for the franchise, bringing things back to basics and simultaneously showcasing Tobin Bell’s craft at his absolute charismatic best.
Whether you’re a franchise veteran or entirely new to the series; there’s something here for everyone, and Saw X can just as easily be viewed in isolation as it can be appreciated by long-term fans wanting to go a little more inside the mind and processes of the Jigsaw Killer, John Kramer.
Saw X is available to buy and rent now through Lionsgate UK, and if you’re a fan of horror or have ever had any love or appreciation for the franchise; this one is definitely well worth checking out.
Rating: 4/5
UK based film graduate with a huge passion for music, sports and video games.
