“SaW X” brings back John and Amanda and tries to milk them both for every last bit of nostalgia possible while failing to realize the franchise has rightfully moved on from them.
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General Information
| Director(s) | Kevin Greutert |
| Screenplay By | Josh Stolberg, Pete Goldfinger |
| Based On | N/A |
| Date Released (In Theaters) | September 29, 2023 |
| Genre(s) | Drama, Horror, Mystery, Thriller |
| Film Length | 1 Hour 58 Minutes |
| Content Rating | Rated R |
| Noted Characters and Cast | |
| John Kramer | Tobin Bell |
| Amanda Young | Shawnee Smith |
| Cecilia Pederson | Synnøve Macody Lund |
| Henry Kessler | Michael Beach |
Content Rating Explanation
“SaW X” contains:
- Dialog: Cursing
- Violence: blood, dismemberment, harm against a child, skin burning off
- Sexual Content: None
- Miscellaneous: Drinking
Film Summary
This content contains pertinent spoilers. Also, images and text in this post may contain affiliate links. If a purchase is made from those sites, we may earn money or products from the company.
Taking place after the first “SaW,” John Kramer, aka Jigsaw, is just looking for hope. He has so much work to do as Jigsaw, and while he is training Amanda, she doesn’t seem ready or willing yet to take over full-time. So, after a recommendation by Henry Kessler to check out a doctor named Finn Pederson, John pursues seeing if they can help him, and Finn’s daughter, Cecilia, calls him back and arranges for him to take on an experimental treatment in Mexico – to the tune of $250,000.
Thing is, it is all a con involving Henry, Cecilia, and five others. But, it seems they didn’t realize karma comes into a person’s life like a puppet with red ruby shoes on a tricycle.
Character Descriptions
Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.
John Kramer
After being told he has a year to live, John contemplates his next move. He could double down on being the Jigsaw killer, but is that how he wants to live out the remainder of his days?
- The actor is also known for their role in “Jigsaw.”
Amanda
The survivor of one of John’s past traps and now being trained to be his successor, Amanda is still early on in helping John and still has a soft spot for some John chooses, which leads to mental notes for John.
- The actor is also known for their role in “City On Fire.”
Henry
What was assumed to be a friend but may not be that, Henry is the one who points John in Cecilia’s direction.
- The actor is also known for their role in “Inheritance,” their role in “Cherish The Day: Season 1,” and their role in “If Beale Street Could Talk.”
Cecilia
Cecilia is a woman who, after her father’s disappearance, takes up the mantel of offering people a miracle procedure and drug for their cancer. However, with legal issues, including the drug cocktail she uses not being approved by any major government, Cecilia moves throughout the world often, and getting an appointment can be difficult.
Review
Our Rating: Negative (Acquired Taste)
Low Point(s)
The Pacing
“SaW X” feels like a two-hour movie because of how much time John and Amanda wait around so that certain events can happen to complete the game. And, unfortunately, during the waiting time, nothing of note happens. Amanda sometimes speaks of her apprehension when it comes to one who has a drug addiction, as she suffers from, but beyond that? It is just people pleading and trying to bargain for their lives, especially as the games are shown to end violently no matter what you do.
On The Fence
It Doesn’t Feel Like We Get Anything New Or Necessary From This Film
The main issue for us when it comes to “SaW X” is that it doesn’t present anything we haven’t seen in the franchise, and with it being “SaW 1.5,” you know Amanda and John are going to live and won’t get caught. Add in that the traps John invents are by no means his best work since they were quickly manufactured within a week or two? There really isn’t much of a hook here unless you miss watching people get body parts cut off or sucked out or seeing people bleed out in elaborate ways.
Who Is This For?
Fans of the “SaW” franchise will likely welcome John, aka Jigsaw, back and being able to witness a series of traps that only the inventive “SaW” team could ever design.
Recommendations
If you like this movie, we recommend:
- Winnie The Pooh: Blood and Honey: Features a psychopath hunting people in costumes such as Winnie The Pooh, a warthog type of piglet, and others
- Redo Of Healer: This anime features numerous torture scenes, often sexually, if you want to see someone get revenge
- The World of Kanako: Perhaps one of the most violent and eyebrow-raising movies we have ever seen, if you want to watch something worthy of being called “F***ed up” this should be on your radar
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SaW X (2023) – Overview
Summary
“SaW X” feels like a step backward for the franchise after the release of “Spiral” in 2021, as it gives us a slow-paced film that pushes the idea Amanda and John should remain dead and gone after this entry.
Overall
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It Doesn’t Feel Like We Get Anything New Or Necessary From This Film - 72%
72%
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The Pacing - 64%
64%
Highlight(s)
Disputable
- The Pacing
- It Doesn’t Feel Like We Get Anything New Or Necessary From This Film