Anticipating SAW V

Being one of the most successful horror film franchises the SAW franchise has defined the way mainstream audiences view horror films. They are smart, entertaining, and relentlessly violent, a far cry from the days of A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, FRIDAY THE 13th, and CHILD’S PLAY (which all became caricatures of themselves relying more on humor then anything else).

When SAW (2004) was first unleashed upon audiences it was a smart and intelligent thriller with suspenseful moments of horror that changed audiences expectations before the last frame of film had been unveiled. It had an ending no one was expecting and generated a buzz of worthy approval that drew out audiences of all different age groups and genders and races. It was a box office hit. The film grossed $103 million world wide on a $1.2 million budget. A sequel was guaranteed. The only problem was that the film was a pretty self-contained horror film with a serial killer-boogie man that just couldn’t be stopped. The only solution was to create a bigger film on a larger canvas from which to allow the exploits of the Jigsaw killer (played immortally by Tobin Bell) to continue while still trying to stay true to what the first film had achieved. Thus was born SAW II (2005).

In SAW II the filmmakers decided to do what no other horror franchise had done before which is start the film off with the capture of the Jigsaw Killer. This was the spark of genius that audiences were looking for. The new film brought in more people in which to layer more elaborate traps and deaths. Although suspenseful, the gore content was stressed in the new film as well as the “ticking clock” aspect of the story, which made everything the characters did in the film more immediate. Audiences were also exposed to more details about the Jigsaw killer that were largely left unclear and unanswered from the previous film. Although flawed at times, SAW II is a rollercoaster ride worth taking and was just a sign of things to come in SAW III (2006). SAW II grossed $147 million worldwide.

The makers of SAW III had a lot going for them as they knew that there would be a SAW IV and possible V coming soon after so they layered a lot of story elements within the mythology of the series for future films. This was a great device in that the franchise not only spent a portion of time on defining the lead character of Jigsaw (aka John Crammer) but also of the main individual that the story is following as s/he is forced to go through Jigsaw’s ordeal. With SAW III there were no more then four separate storylines being interwoven in the complex suspense horror film making for one of the best entries in the series. Grossing over $164 million worldwide this became the most popular entry in the franchise. This film would only open up more doors for SAW IV (2007), which were left just slightly ajar in the previous film.

SAW IV was a departure for the franchise as the main villain Jigsaw had been killed in the previous film and the filmmakers needed a way to bring back the notorious killer. Thus the franchise began to rely more on flashbacks then they ever had before to tell the story of how and why John Crammer became the Jigsaw killer. Although very revealing and interesting this would bring the film’s overall appeal down a notch from the success of the previous film. Although flawed, SAW IV still delivers the goods that all SAW fans had become accustomed but due to the fact that the distribution company Lions Gate has decided to release a SAW film every Halloween the series is beginning to drag. This film grossed $139 million worldwide (with only $63 million being domestic, just $10 million more then the first film), most of it in the International markets.

Being the least well received of the four films, SAW IV is not a terrible film. In fact, it’s one of the better horror films of 2007 which was plagued with THE REAPING, HOSTEL PART 2, THE HILLS HAVE EYES 2, and a plethora of low performing films (such as GRINDHOUSE, THE MIST, ZODIAC, and 30 DAYS OF NIGHT).

When speaking about the upcoming SAW V we must first take into consideration upon whether or not audiences even want another film and whether or not the franchise still has any life left in it. Rumored to be the final film in the series, the new SAW film has a lot to answer given how the previous film ended and just what direction the new film will take. John Crammer’s former wife Jill Tuck (Betsy Russell) will play an even more extensive part in the world of Jigsaw. Also returning is Costas Mandylor as Hoffman, the police office-turned-Jigsaw’s Protégé and newcomer to the franchise Julie Benz (of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel as well as the new Sylvester Stallone film RAMBO) will be the lead female character. And you can’t have a SAW film without Tobin Bell and I’m sure the filmmakers have found another clever way to bring back the dead serial killer. There is great anticipation for the new film as it define how the entire franchise will be perceived for years to come.

All box office figures were provided by Box Office Mojo (http://www.boxofficemojo.com/).