Review of Saw (2003) by Tiana R — 06 Dec 2017

What I Saw Cut Deep.

After I watched the movie Saw, directed by James Wan, I told all my friends to stay clear of it. It really takes a certain audience to appreciate this movie. The typical horror/thriller movie normally includes demons, ghosts, and other fantasy type creature, but I was surprised to find that Saw was different from all other thrillers I've seen. It has a realistic aspect that allows you to connect on a deeper level with the characters. There is mystery, thrill, gore, and fear that penetrates the viewers throughout the whole film. But, the really kicker is that the fear, thrill, and gore haunts the audience for days after they watch Saw.

Cary Elwes (Lawrence) and Leigh Whannell (Adam) find themselves waking up chained to the pipes in a rundown, putrid bathroom. Neither of them knowing how or why they got there, they communicate to each other on the last things they remember. There is a way out for Elwes, however it is to kill Whannell before the clock reaches 6. Each of them eventually finds trust in each other and look for different methods to escaping. They even try to fake Whannell's death. As we watch these two characters battle their way out of death, we also are educated with the background of the mass murderer, Jigsaw, and the various works he completed in the past. Each victim he chooses has to figure out the puzzle to escape, and goes through horrific and gruesome measures to get free. Just as the rest of these murders, Lawrence and Adam drive themselves so crazy that they find themselves going through desperate measures to escape. This gruesome battle explodes in the faces of the viewers as the movie comes to an end, leaving them with a lingering sense of disgust and awe.

Seeing Cary Elwes in a horror movie with Leigh Whannell was an interesting mix. Whannell has experience in the thriller movies, as we see him in movies such as Insidious, Dead Silence, and the remainder of Saw and Insidious sequels. Elwes, on the other hand, plays characters in a variety of genres: Romantic, Comedy, Action, and even the few Horror films. Most of us know him from his classic performance in The Princess Bride, where he is notoriously known for his catch phrase, "As you wish". Throughout the film, I found myself waiting for Lawrence (Elwes) to give into the demands of murder and simply say, "As you wish". It was unusual seeing Elwes play a coward and a victim rather than the hero of the film like he has played in countless films before. It was simply an intriguing twist in his typical role and overall, the roles of the characters were played successfully.

While the actors did well in their performance, the plot of the film was difficult to wrap your head around. It became a mysterious plot line where the audience was constantly trying to figure out how to escape the chains of death, while also striving to understand the motive behind such cruel and unusual punishment. The killer had no personal ties to the main characters, but still wanted to see them suffer in some way. The murderer found interesting, yet gruesome punishments for each of the victims, that left me cringing in my seat at I watched each act unfold. Each puzzling murder made me sick because the film has so many realistic qualities that resemble real people, and real scenarios in our world that stems from mental instability. Jigsaw could be just another one of the murderers out there in the real world. This movie could be real, which brings so much more fear to the scenario than a typical horror movie.

Overall, Saw had some great qualities in filmmaking. There were good actors and a mysterious plot that made your head spin. I was torn two ways watching this film. There was an interesting quality of trying to figure out the killer's mind and motive for murder. The film itself was slow going, and there weren't as many jump scares as I expected. If I were to rate this movie solely based on how it scared me throughout the movie like a typical thriller, it would get a low score. However, the aftermath of the film had a different outcome. Something about the realistic qualities in the plot and horrific thoughts and actions that the characters portray creates this lingering feeling or fear for days after the film is over. The film did a tremendous job on leaving an impression on its viewers-- whether good, bad, or simply undecided-- long after the film was over. Saw cuts deep into the viewer's minds, and leaves a lasting impression after the rolling credits that lurks in the shadows of day to day life.