Copycat killing is a sad truth in the world in which we live. Some are so fascinated with murder and those who commit it, that they find it necessary to partake in activities similar to those of some notorious serial killers. Over the course of more than ten years, with the help of Leigh Whannell and James Wan (along with a number of other writers and directors) built up John Kramer/Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) to be one of the most interesting serial killers in history. Creating such a fascinating monster will likely yield enough interest to create issues down the road.
A decade after Jigsaw’s retirement from his own series of games, bodies begin piling up in a fashion that makes John Kramer appear to have a role in their collective demise. As local police and coroners work together to piece together this horrific puzzle, they will begin to question the people around them, and themselves. People continue to drop like flies, and tensions rise as they race against the clock to find the killer. Does Jigsaw depict the actions of presumably dead John Kramer, or has another one of his disciples stepped up to the plate to continue his legacy?
Writers Josh Stolberg and Pete Goldfinger, along with directors Michael Spierig and Peter Spierig, attempted to enhance the legacy of the notorious Jigsaw Killer. They created more content and developed a deeper story for the infamous John Kramer in an attempt to reconnect with the cult following that began more than ten years prior. Their story was vibrant, and their attempt to draw in fans of the original seven films was successful. However, there seemed to be somewhat of a disconnect between the events in this film and those of the previous seven. While the games were familiar, some things that took place during these games appeared to be somewhat lighthearted in comparison to the previous installments of the Saw franchise.
LIke previous installments, viewers were kept on the edge of their seat throughout the entire film. They have come to expect various twists and turns, forcing them to attempt to anticipate what might happen next. Just as beautifully as before, the reveal at the end of the film yields an incredibly satisfied response and effectively adds much more depth and insanity to the already unruly story of John Kramer. The newcomer writers and directors found a way to reach audiences the way that the crews had in the past. They gnawed at the viewer’s psyche and made them compelled to dive into the story of life and death.
Cohesion was a major part of the allure of the films. Better than most cinematic universes, the series led by Whannell, leaves audiences with few (if any) plot holes, and creates a perfect sense of cohesion that, while often revealing new and interesting information, keeps the audience in the know. While there are still future installments in the works, Jigsaw works as a successful and satisfying ending to the series. All roads seem to have led to here, and, as everything from previous installments were pieced together, audiences were left feeling content with the way things ended. The film lived up to the hype and the standards of the franchise, both capping an unprecedented run in the horror genre and leaving audiences wanting more.
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