A franchise that continues. However, this is a franchise thatinvolves some misdirection for its audience. Ultimately, the phrase, “Let the game begin,” means the many games of Saw are not over yet. Saw X is the one film in the franchise that is more in-depth and has more meaningful creepy games. I was sold on Saw, Saw II, and Saw III. The later ones became more mediocre. In Saw X, the terror is reborn. It is a wild ride where deceit and deception are bound to have consequences. The brilliance in Saw X is the backstory. The violence still has consequences, but the storyline shows how the killer John Kramer aka Jigsaw (played by Tobin Bell) became a man who finds bad people and puts them in traps to test their chances of survival.

The film begins with Kramer being delivered the news that he is terminally ill with cancer and close to the point of death. He goes to Mexico to receive treatment in hopes that his cancer can be cured. However, he realizes that the surgeons did not do the treatment on him, but instead lied to him. This is what invigorates John to punish the victims who lied to him. For all who keep wondering where Jigsaw’s motive was in all the other Saw films over the years, Saw X has the answer to that question.

John’s victims are the ones who lied about their procedures and cost others their lives. The reasons behind John’s horrific games of survival are because then it does not label the deaths like he killed them. He calls it, “A real awakening,” and audiences better fasten their seatbelts because it is relentless and dangerous.

For fans who love the Saw franchise, Saw X steps up the game. It finally tells the story that was not told to audiencesfrom the beginning. Throughout the Saw films, many would start out as death traps and a fight for survival but included very little backstory. This time audiences learn much more and that is why I find it to be the most captivating film in the franchise.

I will not elaborate on the types of torture, because they are quite gruesome (as the audience expects). I will say, however,prepare to be wowed by seeing the real John Kramer aka Jigsaw come to life again in Saw X.

There is no turning back on the terror that comes from every corner of this film. Redemption has consequences. Lies do not go unpunished. It is a rollercoaster ride of puzzles and survival. It is a franchise that always finds compelling ways to write about and display various terror tactics. There are moments where Saw X may seem repetitive with the other films, but in the end, audiences are there for a thrill ride.

There is a unique aspect to the film’s unexpected scares and traps, i.e., the fact that Kramer is smart. He is skilled at using theory senses to know what outcomes will occur if steps are right or wrong. Despite him being a killer, his revenge makes more sense in Saw X. His actions are still wrong morally butplayed out with gut-wrenching direction. There is no hiding in Saw X. Three out of four stars.