The “Saw” franchise is the brainchild of writer Leigh Whannell (who co-starred in the original film) and director James Wan crafting a new kind of slasher with John Kramer, aka Jigsaw, that debuted back in 2004. A deranged dying villain that attempts to teach his victims to appreciate their lives by forcing them to do unspeakable things to survive various death traps and puzzles. While the first two films are arguably enjoyable, the franchise started grinding out yearly releases to capitalize on the Halloween season with diminishing returns and attempted soft reboots most recently with “Spiral” which featured Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson in lead roles.
Lionsgate is getting back to basics by bringing back Jigsaw actor Tobin Bell as they’re about to release “Saw X” later this year and the timeline of the film’s setting is sort of fitting. The new installment takes place between the first and second movies, as Kramer/Jigsaw looks to get revenge on the medical staff that botches the removal of his cancerous tumor essentially giving him a death sentence. A first-look trailer (See below) has been released over the weekend which sets the stage for who the victims are and the reasoning behind this latest group being tortured by Jigsaw.
Here is the horror flick’s official synopsis via Lionsgate:
John Kramer (Tobin Bell) is back. The most disturbing installment of the SAW franchise yet explores the untold chapter of Jigsaw’s most personal game. Set between the events of SAW I and II, a sick and desperate John travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer – only to discover the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable. Armed with a newfound purpose, the infamous serial killer returns to his work, turning the tables on the con artists in his signature visceral way through devious, deranged, and ingenious traps.
Of course, it wouldn’t be a “Saw” movie without a body count, and joining Bell in the cast are Synnøve Macody Lund, Steven Brand, Michael Beach, and Renata Vaca. Director Kevin Greutert returns to the franchise after previously helming both “Saw IV” and “Saw 3D.”
“Saw X” is set to be released in theaters on September 29 and you can take a look at the new footage in the trailer below.