I’ve seen all 9 “Saw” movies. 3 must-watch and 6 should-skip

“Saw” (2004) stands up to its horror reputation, especially for those who haven’t seen the key plot twists.

The Jigsaw Killer engages his victims in lethal games.
Lionsgate Films

The first “Saw” film became an instantaneous horror classic. The inventive traps were nonetheless defeatable, so victims may perhaps live.

The Jigsaw Killer’s (Tobin Bell) identity is the film’s primary hook, along with two key storyline twists that are actually difficult to guess. Unlike later “Saw” films, which complicated information, the film contained intriguing hints to look out for.

The superb cast, which includes Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, and Bell, helps sell the film’s curveballs.

Overall, the first film established plotlines that would play a larger role in subsequent installments, such as Amanda Young’s (Shawnee Smith) and Dr. Lawrence Gordon’s (Elwes) exposure to Jigsaw’s perverted worldview.

All of the series’ most recognizable images, including the infamous villain Billy the Puppet on his bike, the pig masks, and the reverse bear trap, originate here.

Additionally, “Saw” concludes neatly enough to be viewed as a standalone film.

“Saw II” (2005) contains just as many thrilling plot twists and high-quality traps as its predecessor.

“Saw II” resumed the game.

Lionsgate Films

The first “Saw” sequel provides fans with additional difficulties and unexpected events while maintaining a consistent plot.

The horror film also afforded minor characters from the original film, such as Amanda, the opportunity to be fully developed.

Like the original film and nearly every subsequent sequel, “Saw II” includes two primary storylines.

One focuses on the detective’s investigation into Jigsaw, while the other focuses on the victims of his most recent trap. In an abandoned house, players are poisoned while attempting to avoid traps in order to earn antidotes.

The premise is quite clear for a “Saw” film, and it’s easy to follow despite the repeated flashbacks that serve to increase audience investment in the characters.

In later “Saw” films, the individuals are completely unrelated, but in this film, their connection helps to ground the tale.

The returning cast is also a strength, as both Bell and Smith reprise their roles as Jigsaw and Amanda, respectively.

The success of the first film allowed the budget for the second to be increased, which improved the appearance of the traps. This picture contained only difficulties that could be overcome, which kept things intriguing.

“Saw VI” (2009) is the only other worthwhile film to watch.

“Saw VI” centers on Mark Hoffman, the successor of the Jigsaw Killer.

Lionsgate Films

Even those who have not seen the films between “Saw II” and this one will be able to follow the primary plot. The video centers on an interrelated network of individuals seeking to evade traps tailored to the cause for their selection.

As a fan of “Saw,” I enjoy seeing traps that are logical, thematically relevant to a character, and visually striking in terms of gore and effects.

Jigsaw has ensnared the victims, who all work for the same insurance firm, in order to push William (Peter Outerbridge) to consider how unfair his company’s policies are.

It’s unusual for a “Saw” film to have a theme, and it’s practically unheard of for a horror film to do it well.

As a result of the inadequacies of the healthcare system, William must select who should die based on his company’s data and policies, which makes for a fascinating trap.

Some of these traps are fairly obvious, yet they are nonetheless entertaining to observe. Several “Saw” films have failed to develop a compelling protagonist outside of Jigsaw’s squad, so it’s refreshing to really cheer for the victims.

There are numerous references to the original “Saw,” and the conclusion is also satisfactory.

The Amanda and John scenes in “Saw III” (2006) are noteworthy, but the rest of the film is difficult to get into.

The third film is filled with intricate hurdles.

Lionsgate Films

The audience watches as the new character Jeff (Angus Macfadyen) fails to rescue individuals from several traps.

Jeff’s resentment for the drunk driver who killed his son drives the plot. Jigsaw subjects him through arduous tests designed to get him to confront his feelings, although the plot is somewhat uninteresting.

Additionally, the third part of the series introduces the concept of impassable traps. This new element reduces the stakes and it is frustrating to see characters fail to escape when they never had a chance.

“Saw IV” (2007) follows Daniel Rigg, who has been in prior films.

Daniel Rigg is featured in his fourth film.

Lionsgate Films

This film provided audiences with the opportunity to recognize officer Daniel Rigg (Lyriq Bent), who becomes obsessed with rescuing Jigsaw’s victims.

In the end, he finds himself at the center of Jigsaw’s games, with the impossible task of rescuing his partners.

Additionally, viewers get a peek of John Kramer’s origin story and how he manipulates others into continuing his filthy work.

The fifth edition in the series is tedious to watch because Daniel’s refusal to follow instructions causes him to fail trap after trap, making it tedious to watch.

“Saw V” (2008) is filled with flashbacks of Jigsaw and his protégé Mark Hoffman as agent Peter Strahm seeks the truth.

Peter Strahm may be recognized as Luke from “Gilmore Girls”

Lionsgate Films

Detective Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) arrives to answer some practical questions regarding how John/Jigsaw set up these torturous traps.

After uncovering Hoffman’s true identity, the film follows agent Peter Strahm (Scott Patterson) as he pursues him.

Fans of “Saw” have the opportunity to learn more about Hoffman and how he became engaged in Jigsaw’s grand scheme. The flashbacks are somewhat intriguing, but the main plot lacks appeal.

Observing the main group continuously fail to work together to survive their incarceration is frustrating. In addition, the film lacked any genuine major twists.

Skip: “Saw: The Final Chapter” (2010) was unnecessary.

“Saw: The Final Chapter” utilized subpar visual effects.

Lionsgate Pictures

“Saw: The Final Chapter” reintroduces Dr. Gordon as a Jigsaw collaborator, continuing the intricate subplot with Hoffman and adding a new member to the “Jigsaw Survivors Group.”

The film portrays a character who lied about surviving a Jigsaw trap in order to obtain influence. He must now genuinely survive a natural disaster and save his wife in the process.

This may be the “Saw” film with the most irritating plot. In addition, I believe the traps have poor special effects, such as weird bright-pink blood.

Despite a few noteworthy twists, “Jigsaw” (2017) is incredibly unpleasant to watch.

Authorities are uncertain as to whether Jigsaw is still alive due to clues left behind.

Lionsgate Pictures

In this film, a squad of police officers search for the original Jigsaw Killer, who has been presumed dead for over a decade. Throughout the film, they attempt to determine if he is still alive or if someone individual is playing his sadistic tricks.

This film’s premise was intriguing, but the characters in the trap were too unlikeable and inadequately represented for my liking.

“Spiral” (2021) significantly complicates a plot that was already chaotic.

In “Spiral,” Chris Rock plays the lead role.

Lionsgate Pictures

The current film “Spiral” has a new investigator, Zeke Banks (Chris Rock), assuming the mantle of Jigsaw, with no ties to prior films.

Surprisingly, the film focuses almost exclusively on detectives. This makes it the first movie to completely depart from the trap-and-cop model.

Even with a cast that includes Samuel L. Jackson, the film’s conclusion is unsatisfying to view, and the film’s overall quality cannot be salvaged.