𝐉𝐢𝐠𝐬𝐚𝐰 (𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟕)

Jigsaw (2017) is a horror-thriller directed by Michael and Peter Spierig, serving as the eighth installment in the Saw franchise and a revival of the series after a seven-year hiatus. The film blends the franchise’s signature gruesome traps with a mystery-driven plot, reigniting the twisted games of the infamous Jigsaw Killer.

The story begins ten years after the death of John Kramer (Tobin Bell), the original Jigsaw Killer, whose meticulously planned moral tests shocked the world. When a series of grisly murders mimicking Jigsaw’s modus operandi emerges, the police are forced to consider the unthinkable: Could John Kramer still be alive, or has someone else taken up his mantle?

Simultaneously, a group of strangers wakes up in a secluded barn, chained and forced to participate in a horrifying game of survival. As the victims progress through a series of deadly traps, each reflecting their personal sins, secrets about their pasts come to light. The survivors must confront their wrongdoings while attempting to escape Jigsaw’s design, but the stakes—and the moral challenges—grow deadlier with each step.

The investigation unfolds alongside the game, led by Detective Halloran (Callum Keith Rennie) and forensic pathologists Logan Nelson (Matt Passmore) and Eleanor Bonneville (Hannah Emily Anderson). As they piece together clues, suspicions rise, and the line between ally and enemy blurs. The narrative intertwines past and present, revealing shocking twists about Jigsaw’s ideology and the identity of the person orchestrating the new games.

Tobin Bell reprises his role as John Kramer, appearing in flashbacks that delve deeper into his philosophy and the meticulous planning behind his legacy. Known for its inventive traps, escalating tension, and unexpected twists, Jigsaw revisits the themes of morality, survival, and justice that defined the series, while introducing new layers to the franchise’s mythology.

Despite mixed critical reception, the film was praised for its gripping mystery, creative traps, and its ability to connect with the original storyline. Jigsaw stands as both a continuation and reimagining of the franchise, appealing to longtime fans while aiming to attract a new generation of viewers.