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If there was one person who deserved to be at the helm of the Saw franchise’s first critically acclaimed film, it would be director Kevin Greutert. Greutert has been involved in every single Saw film, whether as an editor, director, or executive producer, ever since the original Saw film was released in 2004. Greutert attributes the success of Saw X to its accessible plot and the risk of asking the audience to empathize with the franchise’s main antagonist, John “Jigsaw” Kramer, played by Tobin Bell. Rather than following the conventional wisdom of showing less of the monster, Greutert took the opposite approach by delving deep into John Kramer’s character.
Saw X, which is both a direct sequel to the original Saw and a prequel to Saw II, ends with John Kramer and his apprentice, Amanda Young, taking a young child named Carlos under their wing. This opens up the possibility for future films to explore the story of a grown-up Carlos in the present day. While Greutert views Saw X as a farewell to the Jigsaw character, he acknowledges that there are many directions the franchise could take in the future.
In a recent conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Greutert discusses the franchise’s regret over killing off Tobin Bell’s Jigsaw character in Saw III. While the decision to definitively end the character’s story allowed for a cohesive trilogy, Greutert admits that it would have been easier to continue the franchise if Jigsaw had not been killed off. However, he also believes that the subsequent films, which used flashbacks to include Jigsaw, did the best they could with the situation.
Saw X’s success can be attributed to its simplicity and the audience’s ability to understand and engage with the story, even if they are not familiar with the twists and turns of the Saw franchise. The film also incorporates a subplot about the greed of Big Pharma, addressing a narrative that has been frequently discussed in recent years. While the film subtly touches on political themes, Greutert emphasizes that it is primarily a story about con men and liars.
One of the standout moments in Saw X is when the character Henry, played by Michael Beach, meets his fate in the famous Saw bathroom. Recreating the iconic set was a challenge, as fans have high expectations and notice even the smallest details. In fact, the set from Saw X was not torn down and is still standing in the abandoned factory where the film was shot.
Although James Wan and Leigh Whannell, the creators of the Saw franchise, were not directly involved in the making of Saw X, they continue to support and appreciate the work that is done with the franchise. While Greutert did not have the opportunity to collaborate with them on this film, their influence is still felt and their support is valued.
In conclusion, Saw X’s critical and financial success can be attributed to its accessible plot and the risk of delving deep into the character of John Kramer. The film leaves the door open for future installments, but for now, Saw X serves as a possible farewell to the Jigsaw character. The decision to kill off Jigsaw in an earlier film is a topic of regret within the franchise, but the subsequent films have found creative ways to include the character through flashbacks. Overall, Saw X is a testament to the enduring popularity of the Saw franchise and the skill and dedication of its director, Kevin Greutert.
