'SAW X' plays a good game after franchise seemed to spiral

I cut out some time to see SAW X this past weekend and was trapped reflecting on the gruesome franchise afterwards.

Based on characters created by James Wan and Leigh Whannel, this script is by Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg, with directing duties falling on Kevin Greutert. This marks the tenth film is the series.

The most chilling installment of the Saw franchise yet explores the untold chapter of Jigsaw’s most personal game. Set between the events of Saw I and II, a sick and desperate John travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer – only to discover the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable. Armed with a newfound purpose, John returns to his work, turning the tables on the con artists in his signature visceral way through a series of ingenious and terrifying traps.

Trailer courtesy of Lionsgate

SAW X is a surprisingly engaging addition to this aging franchise. A film that feels almost out of place with its "torture-porn" sub-genre label having left a bad taste in most mainstream audiences' mouths for years.

It's a return to form, and by that, I mean it's closer in theme and technique to the very first Saw film made 20 years ago.

It's more focused on story and character motivation and growth over the gratuitous blood and guts. Although, that is here too.

Tobin Bell is back as a sick and dying John Kramer, aka Jigsaw, with these events happening two weeks after the door slams on the final scene in Saw (2004).

He's recommended to contact the daughter of a doctor, responsible for coming up with an experimental surgery and treatment for his brain cancer, by a supposed helpful new acquaintance.

Once arriving to Mexico to meet these miracle workers to kill his cancer, it becomes apparent their actions very much mimic his own tactics he uses as Jigsaw. Taken by surprise, taken to an unknown location. In his case, he's taken at gunpoint initially as a supposed security measure.

It becomes obvious the crew are no healers and they've duped the wrong man this time. They pretend to operate on his head in a dank rusty old warehouse, not dissimilar to the locales Jigsaw likes to set his traps in.

Jigsaw takes his revenge by stalking and taking the con artists from across the Mexican city.

We learn he has his apprentice Amanda, played by Shawnee Smith once again. As always, she's a fun character with her own inner turmoil about what she helps Jigsaw do.

Here's a list of the players in this round of Jigsaw's game.

DIEGO - A phony surgeon who ends up with bombs wired into his arms with hands taped into fists with scalpels. He gets three minutes to cut his flesh and muscles to remove the bombs. He succeeds and is made to help Jigsaw with his knowledge of the others.

VALENTINA - Fake surgeon's assistant is forced to cut leg off or get her head chopped off.

MATEO - Fake doctor forced to pull part of his brain out or get his head cooked in metal mask.

GABRIELA - A supposedly "cured" previous patient gets pulled into the air and radiated with actual modified medical equipment unless she breaks her hand and foot to free herself from chains.

(A bonus trap is at the very beginning of the film where Jigsaw dreams up a vacuum tube mask that sucks a person's eyeballs out. Again, only a dream. But a well-done effect.)

Diego and Gabriela survive their games, but Gabriela is killed by the ringleader of the scammers, in a dark twist.

There's another twist that I could see from a mile away but is still effective.

During the climactic twist, Jigsaw and Amanda end up in traps themselves when it's revealed they were in control the whole time. And it feels very satisfying and well set-up.

This film is a huge step up from 2021's Spiral, which suffered from the weird feeling like it crawled from 1995 and appeared 25 years too late with its stale tropes and style. It followed the horror trope of an imposter, or replacement villain, but not done effectively.

SAW X is also very heartwarming in certain moments. The acting is good all-around and Tobin Bell is a delight as he steps back into Jigsaw with ease. You empathize with him throughout and feel his rage.

You'll also squirm in your seat at the suspense and realistic special effects make-up.

It’s almost nostalgic now to see SAW X in theaters considering at one point we had a Saw film come out every Halloween for years starting in 2004. Luckily this one is as enjoyable as you can hope for.

One last thing for all you mid and post-credits scene snoops. There is one mid-credit scene you'll get a kick out of if you follow the Saw franchise lore closely, so have yourself a Halloween treat with SAW X this season.