Saw X Review: Unraveling Jigsaw's Latest Twisted Game | #1026

To call it torture porn would be fair and reasonable. Regardless, The Saw franchise has built a strong and loyal following since it sliced and diced its way into the public consciousness in two thousand and four five four three two one c. This is Movies First with Alex First. I'm hardly an Afishinado. In fact, I've seen very few of the ten Saw films, but I still thought there was something to this latest installment. The movie is set between the events of the original Saw and Saw two, which came out in two thousand and five. The Pleasure from Pain Taciturn protagonist John Kramer Tobin Bell is diagnosed with a terminal illness. He's told he has but months to live. As a result, he's willing to try anything for a second chance. Kramer aka Jigsaw, attends a cancer support group. Sometime later, he crosses paths with the man from the group, who surprisingly appears to be the picture of health. Kramer is naturally inquisitive. That's when the man details an experimental procedure performed by controversial Europeans specialist doctor Finn Pederson Donna Gordon. It worked, and as a result, he's cancer free. Intrigued, Kramer does his own research, which leads him to doctor Pederson's daughter, Cecilia sinovmcody Lund. She appears to have taken up where her father left off after paying big money. The following week, Kramer finds himself in a makeshift clinic in an old warehouse off the grid near Mexico's city. Cecilia appears warm and empathetic, and he meets members of her team. They include driver Diego Joshua Akimoto, and Gabriella Renatavaka, the woman who shyly greets Kramer and ensures he's comfortable during his stay. Medically, there's anesthesiologist Matteo Octavio, Hinne Yosa and nurse Valentina Paulette Hernandez. Kramer also comes across Parker Sears Stephen Brand, another patient undergoing treatment. While Kramer's surgery appears to go well, soon thereafter, he realizes he's been duped. The entire operation was a scam and Cecilia has struck it rich, defrauding the most vulnerable. Kramer determines he'll call to account all those in on the ruse. A civil engineer and architect for almost forty years, Jigsaw rounds them up and straps them in for the ride of their lives. In other words, Kramer has designed some complex torture apparatus for the small group to try to navigate. In his twisted belief system, everyone deserves a chance to redeem themselves, even if ever so minor. Helping him to do his dirty work is his apprentice, Amanda Young Shawnee Smith, whom he's training to succeed him. There'll be blood and guts and limbs flying every which way. The sickening morality player that's the cornerstone of Saw X is well developed by writers Josh Stolberg and Pete Goldfinger. There are twists of plenty. Just as you think the film will labor over a particular thread or run out of steam, it turns tail. That's commendable. The tension builds, the pressure valve is constantly turned up as we wait for the next round of blood letting. The ghoulish methods of torture have their own creative bent if you pardon the pun. Then, of course, there are the characters led by the methodical, largely humorous John Kramer. Tobin Bell brings dogmatic menace to the role as kramer protege Amanda Young, Shawnee Smith channels reverence and self doubt. Conversely, there's self confidence about Snova Macody Lund as Kramer's potential savior come adversary Cecilia Pederson. I found myself invested in the outcome, a sure sign that the director, Kevin Grutert, has his mindset in the right place for the SALI co active taste genre. Saw X scores a seven out of ten. You've been listening to Movies First with Alex First available at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or your favorite podcast player. You can also stream on demand at bytes dot com. This has been another quality podcast production from bites dot com.