Review of Saw (2004) by Matt M — 17 Dec 2013

James Wan's Saw is a hauntingly original vision and perhaps the best of the early 21st century. In this psychologically exhausting and exhilarating terror exercise, we follow two men who wake up chained in a disgusting bathroom as the new victims of the serial killer Jigsaw, who specialises in mental and sadistic torture.

Claustrophobia is the key to the success of this film. Screenwriters Whannell and Wan are truly creative with their one setting of the filthy bathroom where most of the action takes place. Futhermore, the intensity is enhanced by the pace that only suffers from the occasional use of flashback that spoils the rhythm a little bit.

Still, there is no denying that Saw briefly pumped a little life into a genre full of cliché and structured storylines and it was the beginning of dark new horror saga.