Ten films in, a franchise many wrote off just bared its sharpest edge. What turned a tired brand into the chapter everyone is suddenly talking about?
Nineteen years after a shoestring thriller put James Wan on the map, the series he launched has found its sharpest edge in an unlikely place. Released on September 29, 2023 and directed by Kevin Greutert, Saw X slips between the first two entries to track John Kramer’s search for a cancer cure, with Tobin Bell and Shawnee Smith returning alongside Synnøve Macody Lund as Dr. Cecilia Pederson. After the misfire of 2021’s Spiral, this chapter has jolted the series back to life, pulling roughly 80 percent positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes to the first film’s 50. Call it a grisly reset that actually rewards the faithful.
An unexpected revival for a chilling classic
You may not expect the tenth installment of a film series to chart new territory, yet that is what “Saw X” achieves. Released on September 29, 2023, this latest chapter in the “Saw” horror saga surprised both critics and audiences. Once seen as a franchise running on fumes, it now feels reenergized, with many calling this the most potent entry to date.
The rise (and stumble) of the “Saw” franchise
Nearly two decades ago, James Wan unleashed “Saw,” a gritty, microbudget thriller shaped by trailblazers like “The Blair Witch Project.” Made for just $1.2 million, it became a phenomenon, earning over $100 million worldwide and embedding itself in pop culture. Over time the returns waned, creatively and financially, and by the arrival of “Spiral: Saw” in 2021, the series seemed to have lost its edge.
“Saw X”: a bold step backward (and forward)
Directed by Kevin Greutert, “Saw X” repositions its story between the first two films and pivots back to its core figure, John Kramer, better known as Jigsaw, portrayed with icy precision by Tobin Bell. The plot centers on Kramer’s desperate bid to cure his cancer, which injects unexpected emotional stakes into the grisly mechanics. Synnøve Macody Lund stands out as Dr. Cecilia Pederson, enriching the layered narrative with a chilling presence.
Praise where it’s due: why “Saw X” works
What distinguishes this installment is its return to fundamentals: sustained suspense, classic trap design, and deeper character focus that makes the film feel alive rather than routine. The reception reflects that recalibration, with Rotten Tomatoes showing 80% for “Saw X,” compared with the original film’s 50%. A franchise restoring its momentum ten films in is a rarity, yet this entry manages exactly that.
The franchise’s future glimmers with promise
The renewed acclaim has rekindled fan enthusiasm and restored credibility to a series many had counted out. Twisted Pictures, the engine behind the franchise, now has ample reason to push forward, ideally with more precise, character-driven stories. Whether for devoted followers or skeptical newcomers, “Saw X” reframes what long-running Hollywood series can still accomplish.