Saw
Summary
Saw is a horror franchise distributed by Lions Gate Entertainment and produced by Twisted Pictures that consists of seven films and two video games, published by Konami. The franchise began with the 2003 short film which was created by Australian director James Wan and screenwriter Leigh Whannell to help pitch as a potential feature film. This was successfully done in 2004 with the release of the first feature film at the Sundance Film Festival. It was released theatrically that October. The sequels were directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, David Hackl and Kevin Greutert, and were written by Wan, Whannell, Bousman, Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan, and have been released subsequently every October, on the Friday before Halloween. Both of the creators remained with the franchise as executive producers. On July 22, 2010, producer Mark Burg confirmed that the seventh film, Saw 3D, is the final installment of the series. Series creators James Wan and Leigh Whannell are still open to continuing the series, however, if they can do something "different" with the material. The films collectively grossed over $873 million at the box office worldwide. The franchise revolves around the fictional character of John Kramer, also called the "Jigsaw Killer" or simply "Jigsaw". He was introduced briefly in Saw and developed in more detail in Saw II. Rather than killing his victims outright, Jigsaw traps them in situations that he calls "tests" or "games" to test their will to live through physical or psychological torture. Despite the fact that John was murdered in Saw III, the films continue to focus on the posthumous influence of the Jigsaw Killer and his apprentices by exploring his character via flashbacks. The film series as a whole has received mixed to negative reviews by critics, but has been a financial success at the box office. While the films are often compared to Hostel and classified as torture porn by critics, the creators of Saw disagree with the term "torture porn". Writer Luke Y. Thompson of OC Weekly argued that, unlike Hostel, the Saw films actually have less torture than most in the sense of sadism or masochism, as Jigsaw believes that those who survive his methods will be stronger people for it. He called him a kind of a (deranged) philanthropist.
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Saw 10-Film Collection Arrives This Year to Celebrate 20th Anniversary
Lionsgate has announced the release of the SAW 10-Film Collection on Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital to commemorate the 20th anniversary of Jigsaw’s games.
Saw 11 Producer Teases Details On Key Franchise Characters
Saw XI producer Oren Koules shared details on Jigsaw, Cecilia, and Amanda for the upcoming film.
Saw Producer Says Chris Rock ‘Would Love’ to Do a Spiral Sequel
Producer Mark Burg reveals Chris Rock 'would love' to do a Spiral sequel, but it's just not in the cards thanks to the success of Saw X.
Saw XI Now in the Works, Gets 2024 Release Date
An eleventh Saw movie is now in development: “The game continues."
Why the Saw Franchise Should've Made a Big Change After the Third Film
Saw III, changed the franchise, and the next few installments just weren't the same.
Saw Director's New Horror Film The Cello Gets Haunting First Trailer
Darren Lynn Bousman's next movie, The Cello, debuts first disturbing trailer starring Tobin Bell and Jeremy Irons.
Saw: Is Mark Hoffman a Better Jigsaw Than John Kramer?
John recruited him. Hoffman betrayed him. Jigsaw takes many forms, but who is the best?
Saw: What to Expect From Tobin Bell's John Kramer In a Potential Saw X Sequel
He might be down, but he's not out yet. If the Saw franchise continues, we would want a few things from Tobin Bell's John Kramer.
How Saw X Revitalized the Franchise
The Saw franchise slipped after Spiral, but Saw X swooped in to save the day.
The Saw Franchise Actually Started in 2003, and Most Fans Had No Idea
Even as a short film, Saw 0.5 was still impressive at the time. And to think Leigh Whannell had never acted before.
Saw: The Best Kills From The Franchise, Ranked
From a carousel of death to the iconic reverse bear trap, here are some of the best deaths in the Saw franchise.
All 10 Saw Movies, Ranked by Box Office Gross
Saw is one of the most iconic horror franchises of all time. Here's a look at how all 10 movies performed at the box office.
Saw X's Jigsaw Says Game Over to Twitter as Tobin Bell Leaves the Platform
Tobin Bell may have seen some things in the role of Saw's Jigsaw, but it seems that his time on X/Twitter has come to an end.
Saw: Top 10 Worst Ways to Die in the Franchise, Ranked
Here are the top 10 worst ways to go in the Saw franchise.
Saw: Scariest Movie Moments Of All Time
There is no doubt of Saw’s place in horror history. Here are the scariest moments across the franchise.
Saw Producers Keep the Original’s Bathroom Set Standing Due to Observant Fans
The Saw X director revealed that the set is "still sitting in the abandoned factory where we shot the film" so it can be used for future movies.
Saw X Cinematographer Explains How He Replicated the Original Saw Visuals
Cinematographer Nick Matthews talked about his friendship with director Kevin Greutert and how he stayed true to the original film with Saw X.
Saw: Every Movie in the Horror Franchise, Ranked by Number of On-Screen Deaths
While the Saw franchise is known for its graphic carnage, it's time to discover the body count featured in each film.
Saw: A Horror Twist That No One Predicted
Saw changed the scope of the horror genre throughout the 2000s. In celebration of Saw X's release, we look back at the original.
Saw X Producers Dish on Parody of AMC’s Nicole Kidman Ad Campaign Being Nixed
Saw X producers Oren Koules and Mark Burg discuss that spectacular spoof's demise, while the internet calls out AMC's decision-making.