X Marks The Spot

John Kramer, master of puppets, takes center stage as Saw makes a gruesome return to form

After two decades, infinite traps and countless convoluted twists, you may well be wondering where on earth the Saw franchise will take us next. The answer? Back in time! Or, more specifically, between the events of Saw and Saw II, as John Kramer, aka the Jigsaw Killer and Saw’s prime protagonist, takes center stage for a surprisingly poignant tenth installment.

Finally, no more relying on flashbacks or voice recordings to get our fill of the puppet master, who famously kicked the bucket in Saw III. Instead Saw X focuses solely on Kramer’s journey following his terminal cancer diagnosis, as he struggles to come to terms with his fate and desperately tries to change it.

Upon hearing of a pioneering treatment by a Norwegian doctor, Kramer (played to perfection by the legend Tobin Bell) heads to a New Mexico retreat for a very dangerous – and very expensive – life saving operation, one that’s not been approved in the US. And we soon discover why. As we find ourselves rooting for the killer to kick cancer’s ass, it becomes clear he’s been duped. In fact, everyone from the surgeon to the driver to the young girl who welcomes him to the retreat is in on the con, stealing money from the most vulnerable of people, the mere mortals who are so desperate to live, they’ll do anything.

Despite the evil things he’s done in his past, the gut punch you feel when you realize what’s happened to Kramer is all too real. Maybe because it forces us to look at what lengths we’d go to if we were ever in the same position. Regardless, it’s our chance to really get to the heart of horror’s most heinous anti-hero, as we see him in a more sympathetic light.  In other words: GO GET ‘EM, KRAMER.

And so begins a brutal tale of revenge, as Kramer, devastated and – quite rightly – furious, decides to play some games with those that wronged him.  Will they want to live as much as he does?

The sickening traps are as ingenious and gruesome as ever, Billy the Puppet and Amanda Young (Shawnee Smith, giving it her all) make welcome returns and there’s a nice little twist in the tale which should keep fans guessing.

The plot is simple, the actors go all in and it’s gory as hell, which, let’s face it, is the one thing you really want from a Saw movie. It’s clear director Kevin Greutert and writers Peter Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg have been listening to the fans. This is a no-frills thriller that takes us back to basics and reminds us why Saw is one of the most innovative and well-loved film franchises of all time.

Oh, and trust us, you’ll want to stay for a delicious post-credits scene, the first in Saw history in fact, which had this reviewer – and most of the audience – whooping with delight.

In short, the tenth time’s a charm – go see Saw X.