Spiral: From the Book of Saw was a box office disappointment, but Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures are now having the last laugh. Saw X has surpassed its predecessor’s lifetime haul in just the first 10 days of release, grossing US$43.8 million at the global box office.
This latest milestone comes after it scored the franchise’s highest opening weekend in over 10 years, which was nearly US$10 million more than Spiral (US$8.8 million). It should be noted, however, that the latter opened amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and now stands at US$40.6 million worldwide with a 37 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
In comparison, Saw X is quickly becoming a favourite among both fans and critics alike. The latest entry has garnered positive feedback and a series-best Tomatometer rating of 81 percent from 132 reviews, as well as an audience score of 90 percent. Part of its success can certainly be attributed to the return of the franchise’s golden goose, Tobin Bell, who was missing in the previous movie.
The horror film not only brings back Bell as John Kramer, aka Jigsaw, but also Shawnee Smith as fan-favourite Amanda. Kevin Greutert, drawing on his past experience with Saw VI and Saw 3D, served as director on the project. The synopsis for Saw X is as follows:
“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. The infamous killer returns to his work, turning the tables on the con artists in his signature visceral way through devious, deranged, and ingenious traps.”
The movie is now screening in theatres in the U.S., and will open in Singapore on 26 October. In the meantime, fans can check out our top picks of traps from the franchise. Those featured in Saw X aren’t included, but the Eye Vacuum Trap clip gives a good idea of just grisly things will get — so much so that the police were called on editor Steve Forn, following reports by neighbours of someone being tortured to death, as the scene was being pieced together in his editing suite.
Si Jia is a casual geek at heart – or as casual as someone with Sephiroth’s theme on her Spotify playlist can get. A fan of movies, games, and Japanese culture, Si Jia’s greatest weakness is the Steam Summer Sale. Or any Steam sale, really.
Natalie
