Jigsaw (2017)

Directed by: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig | 92 minutes | crime, horror | Actors: Matt Passmore, Tobin Bell, Callum Keith Rennie, Hannah Emily Anderson, Clé Bennett, Laura Vandervoort, Paul Braunstein, Mandela Van Peebles, Brittany Allen, Josiah Black, Edward Ruttle, Michael Boisvert, Sam Koules

‘Jigsaw’ is the eighth installment of the ‘Saw franchise’. The penultimate part appeared in 2010, but in retrospect the makers thought this final piece was too meager. Years later, the Spierig brothers have the honor of making a concluding part that gives the franchise the ending it deserves. Well, that was the story. Naturally, this eighth installment is intended to revive the long-forgotten series. Mission accomplished, because ‘Jigsaw’ became a box-office success despite the lack of press presentations and therefore reviews. There is already cautious talk of a ninth part.

Reviewers and ‘Saw’ don’t mix. There is something to be said for that, because the series dropped in quality every part. These productions are certainly entertaining, but no horror fan would consider ‘Saw 5’ a classic. Nice viewing food for lovers of torture porn. The fact that the saga nevertheless managed to attract – and knows – millions of horror fanatics has to do with two parts: the ingenious traps and John ‘Jigsaw’ Kramer alias Tobin Bell. The latter actor carries this franchise. His threatening voice, cold appearance and bizarre philosophy of life appeal to the imagination. Bell is the ‘Saw’ series. In ‘Jigsaw’ the actor can once again play the role of the film icon who made him immortal. Good news for the fans, because after eight years Bell is still just as creepy.

Story: When bodies appear all over town, each gruesomely murdered, all traces point to the late killer John Kramer (Bell). Is he back to remind the world to be thankful for life or is it a trap set on a killer playing his own game?

The promise that ‘Jigsaw’ would end the series in a dignified way is not fulfilled. The Spierig brothers have created new characters and situations that (at first sight) have little in common with the earlier parts. What remains is a ‘Saw’ film that is slightly different from the rest. This eighth movement looks just a bit cleaner and sharper than the predecessors. That depends on the locations and the camera work. The new cast also creates a different atmosphere. Bell rises in terms of acting (again) head and shoulders above and that is again the pitfall of the series. The lack of appealing characters ensures that the tension often collapses. It doesn’t matter what happens to those nasty people.

‘Jigsaw’ is a movie for the fans. It’s great to see Bell back. The traps are also creative again. Yet this eighth part lacks something. Probably the coarse-grained presentation that gave it a rancid edge. This film looks too slick and that is something this low budget series should not be. Tight enough.