Released in theaters on September 29, 2023, Saw X is the latest movie in the horror franchise and serves as a prequel to Saw II. Tobin Bell reprises his role as John Kramer with Shawnee Smith and Costas Mandylor also making their grand returns as Amanda Young and Detective Hoffman. In addition to bringing back familiar faces, Saw X introduced new cast members such as Synnøve Macody Lund, Steven Brand, Renata Vaca, Joshua Okamoto, Octavio Hinojosa, and Paulette Hernandez.
The new installment recently passed a major milestone at the global box office and has been well-received by critics and viewers alike. Although Saw X is directed by Kevin Greutert, Darren Lynn Bousman served as the director of Saw II, Saw III, Saw IV, and the Chris Rock-led spinoff, Spiral: From the Book of Saw. While discussing his new film, The Cello, in an exclusive interview with Screen Rant, Bousman shared his thoughts on the producers’ approach to Saw X. Read the full quote below:
Darren Lynn Bousman: They did something very smart, which was they gave fans what they wanted. Not what they thought they wanted—what the fans were demanding. The fans know what they like. They like Billy, they like John Kramer, they like Amanda, and they like Costas Mandylor. That’s what they want to see. I think Saw X was a love letter from the producers to the fans. “Hey, everything that you wanted to see, here it is.”
How Future Movies Can Build On Saw X’s Success
As stated by Bousman, Saw X’s success largely came from the decision to listen to long-time fans and return to the franchise’s roots. Billy the Puppet has become one of the most discernible aspects of the films, with his sinister appearance and childlike tricycle creating a disturbingly perfect juxtaposition. Saw X showcases Billy in all his glory by allowing him to bike in and personally face Jigsaw’s new victims, rather than communicating with them through a pre-recorded video message.
Additionally, Amanda Young became a fan-favorite character during the first three Saw films due to her surprising reaction to the reverse bear trap. While it would be natural to resent Kramer for his cruel torture methods, Amanda idolized him for helping her get clean. The bond that formed between them is established in Saw III, but Saw X hones in on their relationship and emphasizes Kramer’s fatherly affection for his protégée. As a further nod to audience members, the post-credits sequence even features a team-up between Kramer and Detective Hoffman, who had been working behind the scenes for Jigsaw since the early films.
The film’s nostalgic elements, stellar cast, and focus on Kramer turned Saw X into the movie that loyal viewers have been craving. Lionsgate has already confirmed an eleventh film, which is set to arrive in theaters September 27, 2024. The success of Saw XI will likely depend on where it takes place in the timeline, as the latest installment proves that Kramer is the heart and soul of the franchise. While it could easily serve as another prequel, it’s also possible that a new film will pick up long after Kramer’s death.
Saw 10
Saw X is the tenth film in the long-running Saw franchise, with the original Jigsaw, played by Tobin Bell, returning in the lead role. The film takes place in between the first two Saw movies and sees John Cramer traveling to Mexico to take part in an experimental medical procedure to help cure his cancer. When the “doctors” end up being con artists, Cramer turns to his lethal traps to teach them a lesson.
- Release Date
- September 29, 2023
- Director
- Kevin Greutert
- Cast
- Tobin Bell , Shawnee Smith
- Rating
- R
- Main Genre
- Horror
- Genres
- Crime , Horror , Thriller
- Studio(s)
- Twisted Pictures
- Distributor(s)
- Lionsgate
- Sequel(s)
- Saw II , Saw III , Saw IV , Saw V , Saw VI , Saw 3D , Jigsaw , Spiral: From the Book of Saw
- prequel(s)
- Saw
- Franchise(s)
- Saw
