It’s been seven years since the ‘Saw’ franchise was thought to be concluded with 2010’s The Final Chapter Saw 3D. And yet back with the eighth instalment, the 2017 film Jigsaw picks up ten years after the death of the infamous Jigsaw killer; reviving the fan-favourite horror and torture gore fest.
Directed by Aussie brothers Michael and Peter Spierig (the men behind the 2009 vampire hit Daybreakers and 2014’s time travel flick Predestination); the series icon Tobin Bell returns as our titular character, alongside an all new cast including Matt Passmore (McLeod’s Daughters), Laura Vandervoort (Smallville) and Callum Keith Rennie (Californication).
Featuring everything from Billy The Puppet,to complex torture devices and the right dosage of blood and gore, this latest Saw chapter might fall short of what it could have been. Jigsaw ultimately follows the same formula tried before in previous outings and is admittedly not really all that scary, but with long-time fans of the series sure to get their fix on exciting thrills and interesting new ways to watch people meet their end, there’s definitely enough dread and fun to go around.
The impressive cast enhances the story elements and works together to put all the pieces of the plot together. In its true roller coaster form, Jigsaw delivers twists, suspense and jaw-dropping moments; giving their beloved audiences the reassurance that their run of films shows no sign of overstaying its welcome.
When five not so innocent individuals awake to find themselves trapped in an unknown location and unwillingly forced to take part in the latest ‘game’ of deadly tests, an ongoing police investigation begins to uncover a recent string of murders that unnervingly fit the particularly gruesome habits of the long deceased John Kramer (Bell). With the whereabouts of the man known as Jigsaw and how he could possibly still be alive brought into question, Detective Halloran (Rennie) and partner Detective Hunt (Clé Bennett) enlist forensic pathologists Logan (Passmore) and Eleanor (Hannah Emily Anderson) to help.
Taunting the local law enforcement into solving the truth, mutilated bodies that are all missing a piece of flesh in the shape of a puzzle piece keep appearing. With Halloran suspicious of both Logan and Eleanor, and in turn, Logan suspicious of Halloran and his motives, the hunt is on to uncover who and what is responsible for the horrifying butchery. Is John Kramer back from the dead to inflict his remorseless terror or is this simply the work of a copy-cat killer?
Second to none on horror films involving people being killed in disgusting yet fascinating ways, and displaying a certain cinematic charm on achieving its artistic take on the demise of its characters, this perfectly watchable and well directed film serves its purpose to entertain and terrify.
This time round, Jigsaw is no longer over the top on bloodshed and is miles better than Saw 4, 5 and 7. This good looking tale of terror is even hidden with the moral of do right by people and never take life for granted. Perfect for a night out with mates, you’ll find yourself re-visiting and inviting the legacy of Jigsaw into your friendship circle soon enough. Now ask yourself, do you want to play a game?
