Saw X (2023)

[badfingerboogie]

I think a good part of what might be winning critics over here is the film's opening 30 or so minutes - apart from a somewhat goofy dream sequence, it's pretty dang strong filmmaking, giving Tobin a lot to work with while Greutert and Clouser are allowed to let the franchise stretch its muscles a little bit into the territory of 'serious cinema.'

On top of that, the film's finale finds a fun way to flip the switch on the "final traps" of old, showing us something we've never had before, and implementing some meta elements without overtly hitting audiences over the head with them.

All of these elements form a potent cocktail in the eyes of modern critics, which has surely won them quite a bit of favour.

[OldPangYau]

Originally Posted by Foggy

I think it’s a taste and age thing. Twenty years ago Saw was considered shocking and depraved in the eyes of a far more conservative press circuit, and particularly screen violence was a hot button topic. Even so the film was fairly polarising over outright derided. We’re now 20 years removed (and 10-15 years removed from the height of the franchise popularity) so there’s probably a good mixture of younger viewers who have caught the films growing up are now reviewing films for a living, the moral panic around these films has now began to settle down and an element of respect for the ickiness around the film can be found.

Throw in that it’s probably a decent film to boot, and that it’s a relatively back to basics approach that uses the best elements of the franchise, comparative to the more convoluted and tired instalments, and I imagine critics are being more relaxed and embracing the series for what it is this time around.

True, and in all honesty, the "unrated" version of the original is tamer than pretty much all of the theatrical R-rated cuts of the sequels, lol. That and the metaphorical sigh of relief in seeing Tobin Bell return in a substantial role after the minimal appearance in Jigsaw and the "photo cameo" in Spiral probably added to it. Plus all of the reviews seem to mention how it's the most emotional/dramatic of the series, which is something the films have seldom been known for (Saw III probably being the closest).

[Azuride]

Originally Posted by Lacrymosa

Return to form can mean much more than gore. I imagine the atmosphere the of the film, the lighting, camera work, the focus on John, his idea of what the tests mean etc. It can be much more in line with the early entries and still be gorier.
Also critics tend to overexaggerate when it comes to gore. I think most horror fans are desensitized though so hard to know with that one lol.

Originally Posted by OldPangYau

Probably in regards to how Jigsaw (the film, not the character, lol) and Spiral deviated too far from the original "core 7", and also the dynamic between John and Amanda.

Fair! I personally viewed the first two films as belonging to Thriller genre, with the third starting the deeper dive into Horror genre and taking it from there. Of course, we know the movies are not scary, so the horror element is heavily carried by the elevated gore and suspense the characters are threatened with during the traps compared to the first two films. Admittedly, someone with less tolerance might consider Saw 2 having enough gore to be labeled Horror since any threshold would be arbitrary, but I digress. I suppose staying in Horror territory is somewhat disappointing to me since the first two movies are my favorite and I'm not amused by gratuitous levels of gore, but we just have to wait and see how Saw X fares. I'll probably watch it eventually just out of curiosity, just not in theaters. Hope fans enjoy it!

[djgeneral]

Originally Posted by Azuride

I'm seeing some contradictions. People calling Saw X a "return to form" but simultaneously saying it is extremely gory. Saw 1 and 2 had the least gore in the franchise.

I'm assuming they mean return to form for the storytelling? Or at least return to form skipping the previous 2 entries which were not completely "related" and missing key cast members etc

[y2jman]

well good news since my parents aren't going down brother house tonight it being rainy and all they got so much to do i'm going to be able to see this at 6 pm tonight

i still am not sure if i want to get up chickens 7 am just really don't care about little parade and youngest niece homecoming stuff football tomorrow night i know if go not going to that powerpuff game thing 10:30 in morning

perhaps i just stay home despite kindof broke little bit can't used my card for anything until get paid oct 3rd due to me getting wrestling tickets pay alot past tues morning for nov 27th meh

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by djgeneral

I'm assuming they mean return to form for the storytelling? Or at least return to form skipping the previous 2 entries which were not completely "related" and missing key cast members etc

Jigsaw was related. Spiral was not.

[djgeneral]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Jigsaw was related. Spiral was not.

Jigsaw, while related, is not a TRUE Saw film in the sense of the original 7. I don't care what anyone says lol. The whole way it was filmed and presented was in a drastically different tone. Spiral, technically was also related as it referenced previous events. It just did not continue the lingering story lines from before.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by djgeneral

Jigsaw, while related, is not a TRUE Saw film in the sense of the original 7. I don't care what anyone says lol. The whole way it was filmed and presented was in a drastically different tone. Spiral, technically was also related as it referenced previous events. It just did not continue the lingering story lines from before.

Saw 7 was also a drastically different tone, looked different, had a trap in daylight with the public watching, etc..still canon though. As was Jigsaw.

If it’s not a sequel in your eyes, well, I can’t help that!

[djgeneral]

I get that it is canon lol but it never really felt like a true Saw movie for multiple reasons and yeah even Saw 3d/7/was the same to an extent lol

The RT score also keeps going up. its at 83% now with 47 reviews! its been 81 then 82 now 83 every hour I've checked and its gone up haha

[chad_1138]

Just got out. Solid 4/5. I enjoy all the Saw films, this one is definitely in my top 3.

[Show spoiler]So glad Hoffman showed up in the mid credit scene

[OldPangYau]

Originally Posted by chad_1138

Just got out. Solid 4/5. I enjoy all the Saw films, this one is definitely in my top 3.

[Show spoiler]So glad Hoffman showed up in the mid credit scene

Same, and that slow realization when

[Show spoiler]the credits start, but the "...you picked John Kramer?" line hadn't been said yet, you knew it was confirmed to be Hoffman.

The reviews have pretty much hit the nail on the head: Bell and Smith embody the characters with more depth than before, and Lund's Cecilia is definitely a different type of "player" in the games than we've seen before. Definitely some twists and turns in the finale that keep you on your toes, and shows the cracks that can still form in Kramer/Jigsaw's plans, but the grin creeps on your face when the latest version of "Hello Zepp" finally kicks in.

Also, a VERY different (and gorgeously shot) ending for a Saw film.

[cinemaphile]

I liked the first half hour, but it was downhill from there. Underwhelming traps and a super unsatisfying ending.

and man, Shawnee Smith was already a bad actress and hard to look at, but that haircut was positively awful. WTF was that?

[buck135]

Originally Posted by cinemaphile

and man, Shawnee Smith was already a bad actress and hard to look at, but that haircut was positively awful. WTF was that?

She still looks gorgeous to me.

[Poya]

I was expecting critics to hate this. I'm amazed at the MetaScore.

[djgeneral]

I am pretty impressed with this. It was a lot better than I had expected. While I enjoyed elements of Jigsaw and Spiral, this was so much better. There were some moments for sure I had no idea what was coming or how it was going to play out. My audience enjoyed the brief, but fun post credit scene as well.

This was, without a doubt, Tobin Bell's defining performance in the series. It was awesome to see him have SO much to do. I'll have to think more about my rankings, but it is easily in the top 5 for sure of the 10 films. I think any Saw fan would enjoy this one and even some people who may have been turned off by some of the later films (Jigsaw and Spiral excluded) this might even win some people back. It felt different but it still felt like Saw if that makes sense.

[RIKANA]

Anyone else think there will be an Unrated edition; seeing is we're back to Numbers... with hopefully both cuts available on the BD/4K... I saw it to night. And there did appear to be a few points that I saw.

Would love Sawset (pun intended) with all the films and there available cuts. I do like when cuts are on there own discs. So SAW III would have the most discs. The 2hr cut is byfar the best version and tails in to IV much better.

Well I'll keep hoping.

What's your thought on X getting an unrated cut.

RI

[Agent Bond]

Aside from the ending, SAW 7 was filler trash. Jigsaw made up for it. Just wish it had been a reboot / alternate timeline.

I liked Spiral, but I know I'm in the minority. Looking forward to Part X.

[Steedeel]

Originally Posted by Azuride

Fair! I personally viewed the first two films as belonging to Thriller genre, with the third starting the deeper dive into Horror genre and taking it from there. Of course, we know the movies are not scary, so the horror element is heavily carried by the elevated gore and suspense the characters are threatened with during the traps compared to the first two films. Admittedly, someone with less tolerance might consider Saw 2 having enough gore to be labeled Horror since any threshold would be arbitrary, but I digress. I suppose staying in Horror territory is somewhat disappointing to me since the first two movies are my favorite and I'm not amused by gratuitous levels of gore, but we just have to wait and see how Saw X fares. I'll probably watch it eventually just out of curiosity, just not in theaters. Hope fans enjoy it!

I would place Saw firmly in horror territory. I mean, the home invasion sequence alone!

[tcripe]

Originally Posted by Poya

I was expecting critics to hate this. I'm amazed at the MetaScore.

Right?!? I was shocked when I saw the RT score. By far and away the highest reviewed Saw film.

[OldPangYau]

Originally Posted by Steedeel

Without spoilers, could you clear up some confusion please? I read this one will have fewer traps but another review states 7 traps, is the latter accurate?

I would say there's technically 7 traps, though two of them I'd add asterisks to, lol. I think it may feel like there's less to some reviewers due to how spread out they are, and how late the main game starts.

Originally Posted by tcripe

Right?!? I was shocked when I saw the RT score. By far and away the highest reviewed Saw film.

The fact that it's gone *UP* since last night is nuts, lol.