How 'Saw' (2004) Gave Fans a New Horror Icon in Jigsaw - HorrorGeekLife

Nov 02, 2024

The horror genre is not just another genre in the world of entertainment. Full of subgenres and devoted and loyal fans, horror has and will always have a fan base. When a film makes a ton of money or is critically acclaimed, headlines read “Horror is back,” even though it never really left. When the fans were introduced to Saw in 2004, they embraced the madness of Jigsaw, giving birth to a franchise and setting director/co-writer James Wan on the path to stardom.

Jigsaw (played by Tobin Bell) assumes the role of moral authority over those he believes need to prove they deserve to live after past misdeeds. To that end, Jigsaw asks those in his court of horrors to “play a game,” usually giving them a choice to either inflict pain on themselves or others through various hideous traps and puzzles.

The film starts with two captives, Dr. Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes) and Adam (Leigh Whannell), who Jigsaw has pitted against each other and themselves. Adding fuel to the fear is a corpse in the room, dead by apparent suicide, with a revolver and micro cassette recorder in hand.

The premise and choices given to these men and others from past Jigsaw traps are intriguing. The traps are brutal and unrelenting, much like Jigsaw himself, giving the film a dark and nasty edge. While some scenes are cruel and meanspirited, most fit within the story and are not just shocking eye candy. The hacksaw involved in the trap between Lawrence and Adam is a great example of how choices aren’t so simple. The consequences of past and possibly present poor choices are brutal and unforgiving.

Saw weaves a more complicated story than you would think, giving us multiple characters moving through different life paths. It is done so well that, at times, you look at what Jigsaw is doing in a different light. What he is doing is cruel and wrong, but the truths he uncovers and the dark secrets he drags into the light need addressing. Heartbreak, personal loss, and revelations have given Jigsaw (whose real name is John Kramer) a new sense of purpose with interesting ideas, just poor execution (pardon the pun).

The introduction of the puppet (affectionately known as Billy) was a curious but effective touch. It added a layer of crazy to a story bordering on disbelief, both to the characters and the audience watching the game play out. Jigsaw proved to be the master chess player of these violent and sometimes deadly games, always many steps ahead of those involved, captives and authorities alike. The film made him just human enough to try and sympathize with but also fear and loathe.

Director/writer Wan and co-writer Whannell almost didn’t get the film done until a short film based on the jaw trap scene was shown to the right person, who saw the potential in the idea. It’s one of those great film stories, and honestly, one that often happens in the horror genre. A small film with a great idea, a tiny budget, and a quick shooting schedule becomes a money-making franchise. This time, it made Jigsaw into a new horror icon and instantly recognizable.

It was a well-crafted story that played with choices and how we live our lives. Saw shines a light on those things in the most stressful and brutal conditions. It defined the term “torture porn” and gave us the iconic line “Let’s play a game.” Ultimately, the film gave us a great movie full of dark twists and turns, tension, and horror that continues today.