It has been almost 5 years since we last heard from the world of Saw. The torture traps were beginning to gather dust. Luckily for fans of the ultra-gory crime series, Saw is now back. Spiral: From the Book of Saw brings the brutality with a fresh new story that represents the biggest shift in the series to date. Spiral is an interesting new vision that has as much in common with the core Saw films as it has differences.
Spiral: From the Book of Saw tells the story of Detective Zeke Banks (Chris Rock) and his rookie partner, Detective William Schenk (Max Minghella) as they investigate a string of murders that are being carried out in the same sadistic way as the late Jigsaw Killer, John Kramer. Only this time, the murders are specifically targeting law enforcement personnel. Banks must struggle to solve the case that’s dangerously close to him within a department of officers with whom he has a tumultuous relationship. Will Banks and Schenk solve the murders before it’s too late, or will they end up playing the killer’s deadly game?
RELATED: Universal Monsters Shoes Launching from Super7 and Saucony
Spiral hits all the marks of the Saw franchise while still feeling like something very new. The film certainly hits those Saw benchmarks: extremely gory traps, complex crime mystery, creepy puppet, pig masks…yeah, it’s all here. The movie does a nice job of seating itself comfortably within the bounds of the series. The film also makes a great effort to differentiate itself and set a new path. The characters are all new, there’s a new puppet, and most noticeably, the film’s inner city setting and use of many rap/hip hop songs in it’s soundtrack give the film a unique tone and approach.
The film also features its most high-profile cast since the first film. Chris Rock and Max Minghella are effective at portraying the disenfranchised seasoned detective and his young new partner. Samuel L. Jackson plays the interesting role of Marcus Banks, retired police chief and father of main character, Zeke. Rock and Jackson’s characters have a unique father/son dynamic that’s interesting to see unfold. Spiral also brings back director Darren Lynn Bousman for his fourth entry (having also helmed parts 2 through 4). The direction and acting in the film are some of the best we’ve seen in the series yet, which is certainly welcome in a franchise that many assert had began to feel repetitive.
RELATED: ‘No Man of God’ Explores Ted Bundy Transcripts, Stars Elijah Wood & Luke Kirby
Diehard Saw fans are likely to enjoy Spiral. It’s different enough from the previous movies to feel fresh, but also bears enough similarities to please the fanatics. There’s certainly a few aspects that feel a little misled, for example the recorded voice that is used to explain the traps has been updated to one that is higher-pitched and slightly detracts from the creepiness factor. This is a negligible complaint and easily explained within the bounds of the new story.
It’s safe to assume that most people interested in Spiral know what they’re getting into. It’s exceedingly gory, the traps are horrific and occasionally quite clever, and the plot is a classic Saw-style crime whodunnit. It’s comforting to know that this fan-favorite series is back, especially after this film’s sad but understandable one-year delay due to theater closures.
Lucky for fans, a 10th film is already in the works. Whether it’s a direct sequel to this new plot line or an entry more tied to the core series is not yet known, but this writer, for one, can’t wait to see what’s in store for one of horror’s most enduring franchises.
RELATED: 10 Monsters We Love to Root For
