Amidst the Halloween festivities and the spooky season, today is a milestone for one of horror’s most iconic franchises: it’s the 20th anniversary of Saw.
What began as a short film by James Wan has blossomed into a sprawling universe with ten films and a couple of not-so-great games we won’t mention. Saw has etched itself into pop culture, with Jigsaw’s infamous lines, “Game Over” and “Want to play a game?”—or maybe that’s just my family? Either way, over the past two decades, Saw has experienced its share of highs and lows, including some pretty significant missteps, but it’s also delivered some memorable moments and extensive lore.
So, how do you celebrate Halloween? For me, it’s a marathon of all the Saw movies, including the various director’s cuts. If that’s not your vibe, don’t worry—I’ve rewatched the Saw franchise in just a few days and ranked them for you.
10. Saw 3D (2010)
Saw 3D (also known as Saw VII) is often viewed as the weakest entry in the franchise. Released in 2010, the film attempts to wrap up multiple ongoing storylines but ultimately struggles with coherence. The central character, Bobby Dagen, is one of the most abhorrent characters we’ve gotten in the franchise as he claims to be a survivor of a Jigsaw trap, but his journey is one of the least compelling arcs we’ve seen.
One of the biggest issues with Saw 3D is its overreliance on sensationalism. The traps, while visually striking, often prioritize shock value over psychological depth, leading to a disconnect from the emotional stakes that some of the earlier films in the franchise excelled at. The pacing is inconsistent, with way too many subplots feeling rushed or underdeveloped, creating a disjointed narrative.
The film also introduces a new group of characters, the survivors of Jigsaw’s games, but their inclusion feels secondary as this would have been such an interesting and cool story to follow. While it tries to incorporate themes of survival and accountability, it feels more like a spectacle than a cohesive story. Saw 3D fails to capture the essence that made earlier entries compelling, placing it at the bottom of the ranking.
In Saw 3D, Mark Hoffman, a recurring character, becomes increasingly central to the overarching story. While it’s cool that we get to see his motivations explored, they often feel muddled and disconnected. Hoffman’s character suffers from a lack of development, leading to an underwhelming portrayal of his commitment to Jigsaw’s legacy. His actions often feel more mechanical than meaningful. He mostly feels like, what if Jason Vorhees was Jigsaw’s follower?
9. Saw 6 (2009)
Saw 6 is one of the most hamfisted critiques of the healthcare system. William Easton is an insurance executive who embodies greed and moral failings. The film highlights his journey through a series of tests that force him to confront his unethical decisions, raising questions about morality and justice. However, while the themes are relevant, the execution often feels heavy-handed and somewhat preachy. It also ends with one of the worst one-liners in the entire franchise.
The traps in Saw 6 are inventive and gruesome, showcasing the series’ signature style, but they often lack the emotional weight found in earlier films, leaning towards a more overly hamfisted execution. The pacing is uneven, with excessive exposition that can bog down the narrative and detract from the tension.
There are a few substories happening in Saw 6, but the most interesting one carries through to Saw 3D as Mark Hoffman continues to play a significant role in Saw 6, and his relationship with Jill Tuck becomes increasingly complicated. As the series progresses, Hoffman’s ruthlessness and willingness to go to extremes clearly represent a different aspect of Jigsaw’s ideology.
Jill Tuck, on the other hand, embodies a sense of moral clarity that often contrasts with Hoffman’s more ruthless approach. Her struggle to come to terms with Jigsaw’s legacy and Hoffman’s actions adds emotional depth to the narrative. Although the film’s execution may falter at times, the complexities of their relationship enhance the storytelling, making the stakes feel more significant.
8. Jigsaw (2017)
Jigsaw, released in 2017, attempted to revive the franchise after a brief hiatus after the failings of Saw 3D, introducing a new set of players in a Jigsaw copycats game that echoes a game played almost twenty years ago. While the film showcases a clever plot twist and some callbacks to the original story, it often feels disjointed and lacks coherence.
The new characters, who find themselves in Jigsaw’s traps, don’t have the depth needed for the audience to form a connection with them. The traps, although visually striking, tend to lack the psychological stakes that characterized the earlier installments. While the film aims to explore the franchise’s legacy by taking place ten years after the death of John Kramer, it struggles to do so meaningfully, as many of the traps feel played for jokes. It doesn’t help that the new acolyte and how they seemingly fit into the entire story feels out of place.
7. Saw 5 (2008)
In Saw 5, the film delves deeper into the mythology surrounding the franchise, attempting to connect various plotlines. While the traps remain creative and engaging, many of the new characters feel underdeveloped, serving more as vehicles for the traps than fully realized individuals.
What Saw 5 does bring with it, however, is the continuation of Mark Hoffman as he continues to evolve as a character, taking on a more prominent role in the franchise. His commitment to Jigsaw’s philosophy is tested as he navigates the intricacies of his morality. Hoffman embodies a darker interpretation of Jigsaw’s legacy.
Peter Strahm’s character provides a moral counterpoint to Hoffman as he seeks to unravel the twisted web of traps and deception. Their cat-and-mouse dynamic creates a palpable tension throughout the film. Strahm’s pursuit of justice and his refusal to succumb to the same moral ambiguities as Hoffman make for compelling viewing, and each of their interactions elevates the tension.
Despite these strong character dynamics, the narrative structure often feels bogged down and convoluted, with multiple timelines and plotlines that muddle the experience. The pacing suffers as the film spends too much time on exposition, detracting from the suspenseful atmosphere.
6. Saw 4 (2007)
Saw 4 took a bold approach by being the first film in the franchise to try intertwining multiple storylines. The film explores the trauma and suffering experienced by Rigg’s victims, showcasing how his pasts influence his victims’ present situations. The connection between the past and present adds depth to the narrative, although it can become convoluted at times.
In Saw 4, we are introduced to Detective Mark Hoffman, who we later learn in an incredible plot twist is, in fact, the next in line after Amandas’ failings. Rigg, another central character, is a police officer grappling with his own trauma as he attempts to rescue his colleague, Detective Eric Matthews, who was thought dead after the end of Saw 2.
“The original Saw is a groundbreaking film that set the tone for the entire franchise.”
Rigg’s journey is particularly compelling as he believes he can save everyone, ultimately leading him to make reckless choices and causing more chaos and destruction. This belief in his ability to control the situation places him in increasingly dangerous scenarios following themes of desperation and the consequences of one’s actions.
Hoffman, meanwhile, serves as a manipulative figure in Rigg’s story. As a seasoned investigator, he embodies a more pragmatic approach to justice, contrasting sharply with Rigg’s idealism. Their relationship is tense, as Rigg’s quest to save others clashes with Hoffman’s more cynical view of human nature. Hoffman’s calculated methods and unwavering belief in the necessity of Jigsaw’s philosophy create a complex dynamic that drives the narrative forward.
Despite the film’s narrative challenges, the interplay between Rigg and Hoffman enhances the emotional stakes, making their confrontations feel impactful. Their respective arcs delve into the darker aspects of justice, giving Saw 4 a unique quality, allowing it to stand out within the series.
5. Spiral (2021)
Spiral represents a fresh take on the Saw franchise, shifting the focus on law enforcement issues and corruption. The film features a new cast led by Chris Rock, who brings a different energy to the narrative and offers a different look to Rock’s acting chops. Spiral aimed to explore themes of justice and morality in a modern setting, offering a unique perspective on the franchise. While the film introduces interesting social commentary, it struggles with pacing and tonal consistency. The transitions between horror elements and social critique can feel jarring, making it difficult to buy into the narrative fully.
Despite these challenges, Spiral offers a unique take on familiar themes, making it a worthwhile entry for fans looking for something different. Its innovative approach allows it to stand out within the franchise. Chris Rock and Max Minghella’s characters interplaying each other throughout the film really sell the more modern idea of what a Saw film can be. Just forget the fact that they replaced Billy with a hamfisted representation of police.
4. Saw 2 (2005)
Saw 2 effectively builds upon the original film’s foundation, expanding the universe and introducing a new group of characters trapped in a house filled with various traps. The film expertly maintains tension, creating a sense of urgency as Detective Eric Matthews races against time to save his son, who is among the captives. The character dynamics are compelling, particularly the relationship between father and son and the lengths a father will go to to save his son, sometimes to a fault. The film also explores the psychological games at play, showcasing how fear can drive people to desperate actions.
One of the standout features of Saw 2 is its iconic twist ending, which reveals the true nature of the situation and adds layers to the narrative that the following films could only wish they could reproduce. While it may not have the same shock factor as the original, it successfully retains the franchise’s essence, mixing horror and psychological thrills. This balance of action, suspense, and character exploration makes Saw 2 a fan favourite.
3. Saw X (2023)
Saw X returns to the franchise’s roots while also introducing a new point of view, that of John Kramer, aka Jigsaw himself. Set between the events of Saw and Saw II, the film follows John seeking experimental treatment for cancer that he was diagnosed with before the outset of Saw 1. This installment offers a more human side to its antagonist, as we see John more in an anti-hero role than the serial killer he is portrayed to be in the rest of the franchise.
The traps are inventive and brutal, showcasing the series’ signature style while upping the ante regarding physiological torment during self-mutilation in the hopes of being set free. The emotional weight of John’s journey adds depth to the narrative, allowing for a nuanced exploration of morality and justice that we hadn’t seen in the franchise yet. By focusing on character-driven storytelling, Saw X effectively revitalizes the franchise, but is it perfect? No, but it gives a clear indication of what Saw can be with a more human outlook rather than thrills for thrills’ sake.
2. Saw 3 (2006)
HEAR ME OUT
Saw 3 marks a significant turning point in the franchise, providing a deeper exploration of the emotional struggles faced by its characters. The film focuses on the intricate relationships between the protagonist confronting their past trauma of their son being killed by a drunk driver rather than giving us a quick recap of why they are in the traps as despicable people. We get the first and quite possibly the only look into actual character growth on an emotional level that brought tears to my eyes.
Jeff’s journey is central to the film, as he is put through a series of tests related to his grief and desire for revenge against those he feels are responsible for his son’s death. His emotional arc is compelling, showcasing the human suffering and the struggle between vengeance and forgiveness. We have yet to see character growth like Jeffs again in the franchise. The scene where the driver of the vehicle is being slowly tortured while he tries to stop the device is gut-wrenching. The emotional outbursts of Jeff trying desperately as he yells I forgive you, then damning Jigsaw for not allowing him to have his forgiveness is something so incredibly impactful and remains my overall favourite moment of the entire franchise.
Amanda is now a more key character as we now know her role as Jigsaw’s acolyte. Throughout the film, Amanda tries to prove her loyalty to Jigsaw while grappling with her own ideals and moralities, bending his methods. Her belief in his twisted form of redemption is challenged, especially as she becomes more emotionally invested in John Kramer, not knowing that she is being tested again.
Saw 3 also marks a point in the series where viewers were faced with a shock value that means more than the actual emotional stakes of the traps. Leading to traps like the “Pig Vat” and the “Shotgun Collar.” Unfortunately, it’s a turn the franchise took in the wrong direction, but Jeff’s story remained strong, even if he is a largely forgotten character.
1. Saw 1
The original Saw is a groundbreaking film that set the tone for the entire franchise. With its innovative storytelling, shocking twists, and gripping atmosphere, it captivated audiences. It introduced them to a harrowing psychological experience that created this sense of awe and one final twist that the series became known for. Hell, it spawned a franchise. The film’s minimalist setting, primarily taking place in a grimy bathroom, creates an intense atmosphere that keeps viewers on edge.
The character dynamics between Adam and Dr. Gordon are expertly crafted, revealing layers of human desperation and moral choice. Their evolving relationship highlights the complexities of human psychology, making their ongoing decisions impactful. The film’s twist ending remains one of the most iconic in horror history, setting the stage for the following complex narratives.
Saw 1 raises profound questions about life, death, and our choices. Its innovative storytelling and character development set a high bar for the sequels, making it a timeless classic in the horror genre.
As I wrap up this ranking of the Saw movie franchise, it’s clear that this series holds a special place in my heart. I can honestly say it’s my favourite horror franchise of all time. Sure, there have been a few entries that fall short of expectations—let’s just say there are some awful ones—but overall, the films deliver an entertaining blend of creativity and suspense that keeps me coming back for more.
The intricate traps are always a highlight, reflecting the complex journeys of the characters caught in Jigsaw’s twisted games. Each installment adds layers to the lore, and while some plot points might veer into the realm of the nonsensical, it’s all part of the charm that makes Saw so engaging.
For me, Saw has become a Halloween tradition, a series that I eagerly anticipate revisiting each year. And let’s not forget Costas Mandylor—his portrayal of Jigsaw’s acolyte is nothing short of chilling. His presence brings a fresh, terrifying energy to the series, and I can’t wait to see how he continues to shape the story moving forward or, I guess, in his character arcs’ sense…sideways? Here’s to more twists, traps, and thrilling horror in the world of Saw.
