SAW X

(director/writer: Kevin Greutert; screenwriters: Pete Goldfinger, Josh Stolberg; cinematographer: Nick Matthews; editor: Kevin Greutert; music:Charlie Clouser; cast: Tobin Bell (John Kramer), Shawnee Smith (Amanda Young), Synneve Macody Lund (Cecilia Pederson), Renata Vaca (Gabriela), Michael Beach (Henry Kessler), Steven Brand (Parker Sears); Runtime: 118; MPAA Rating: R; producers: Mark Burg, Oren Koules; Lionsgate; 2023)

“This is the series’ best entry since its original of 2004 (which is not saying much).”

Reviewed by Dennis Schwartz

This is the series’ best entry since its original of 2004 (which is not saying much). It’s directed by James Wan, who steers clear of the silliness from the awful sequels and tells a clear-headed revenge story-making it a direct follow-up to the original.

Saw X is directed by Kevin Greutert  (“Visions”/”Jessabelle”), who is a frequent director of its sequels. It’s co-written by him, Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg. 

Returning to the series is John Kramer (Tobin Bell), known for the death traps he places his criminal victims inside so they can atone for their sins. But he has slowed down because he has terminal brain cancer.

After learning about a private clinic in Mexico City that’s doing experimental groundbreaking work on the disease, Kramer goes there and puts up a lot of money to get their miracle cure. The woman in charge, Cecilia Pederson (Synnøve Macody Lund), is running a scam, thereby our boy is pissed and you don’t want that.

Kramer elicits the help of his assistant Amanda Young (Shawnee Smith) to build some traps. After all, fans of the franchise come for the torture scenes and gore. 

The filmmakers of Saw X are not above stooping to the lowest level of entertainment to tell its sicko story. If this is your idea of entertainment, at least Tobin Bell is very good at his craft, the story is logical and the film-making is good even if its sequences are disgusting and lack taste.


REVIEWED ON 10/19/2023  GRADE: C+