On September 29, the Saw franchise released its newest, bloodiest movie yet. Taking place between Saw and Saw II, this prequel-sequel reintroduces important characters, with a killer new story. With the return of the main murderer, John Kramer, and his apprentice, Amanda Young, the two form gorey traps for their latest victims. Except this time it’s personal. After a crew of “surgeons” scam Kramer out of receiving a life-saving cancer treatment, the mastermind seeks to get his revenge.
The movie begins with John Kramer learning the difficult truth: he is diagnosed with a cancer that only gives him a few months to live. He becomes desperate in his attempts to find a way out of this fate. Only shortly after does he learn of a “miracle cure” which could save his life. The operation is run in Mexico by a team of surgeons, who later become unsuspecting victims. Kramer immediately sets off to see this group and receive the treatment he desperately needs. While there, he meets some former patients who all claim that the cure worked. John Kramer returns home after a “successful” surgery, only to find out that the cancer was not removed at all; it was an elaborate plan to scam people with cancer out of their money. Kramer, filled with anger, kidnaps the fake surgeons and patients and puts them through a series of gruesome tests.
Saw X comes two years after Spiral, the ninth film in the franchise. So far, the newest film has done better in the box office, gaining over $70 million globally in over two weeks. According to movieweb.com, Spiral made $40.6 million on a budget of $20 million. Many critics and fans were concerned over the absence of key actor Tobin Bell (John Kramer) in Spiral, making Saw X popular with the return of Bell and his important role.
Some students at Bellefonte Area High School (BAHS) are relieved that John Kramer has returned. Senior, Daniel Grubb, hopes the movie is good enough for a series finale.
“I am hoping for a good standoff to a long running series that made a mark on horror history with a farewell to a longtime villain,” Daniel said.
However one student, Junior, Nathaniel Leddy, believed there was more plot development than usual, but it didn’t take away from the overall theme.
“Compared to other Saw movies it had a much bigger focus on the story other than just the traps. I would give it an 8/10 and would definitely recommend to others,” Nathaniel said.
Currently, the movie is rated 79% in Rotten Tomatoes with an audience score of 89% according to rottentomatoes.com. Overall the movie is doing well with both critics and movie watchers. Many critics believe that the movie holds up expectations.
One Rotten Tomato critic, Cooper Hood from Screen Rant, comments on the tenth movie’s effect on the series, giving it a score of 3.5/5.
“Saw X delivers the most personal & bloodiest entry to date, easily making it the best Saw movie sequel & proving there’s still life in this franchise,” Hood said.
While the movie moves back in time to serve as a prequel, there is a possibility a Saw XI could be released. An end credit scene includes another one of John Kramer’s popular apprentices with an unfinished task, leaving fans wondering if there may be an eleventh movie.
Saw X is filled with a variety of horrific new traps and plot twists. The popular theatrical poster features the eyeball-sucking machine first introduced in the movie. Currently it is playing in theaters. The film is rated R for violence including torture, language, and some drug use. It’s safe to say that this movie consists of bloodbaths, literally.
