I don’t live with many regrets but possibly one of the biggest ones would be following the “cool” or in thing at the time. I grew up in the late 90s and early 2000s eras. One of the big things for my generation was, oddly enough, the Saw franchise. I remember pretending like I had seen the first one opening weekend because all my friends had seen it. As I have mentioned before, I grew up in a fairly conservative household and didn’t see my first real horror film in full till age 16. Saw was released three years prior to that pivotal event in my life. Saw was the cool horror franchise to follow for my circle.
Then it reached this point where it was cool to hate on the franchise. By the fifth or sixth entry into the franchise it became overkill. For me, I have immense respect for this franchise. Not only did I grow up with this franchise, but it’s also one of the first series within horror to serialize its story. The first seven films tell one overarching story that still satisfies even years after its twist ending. It remains one of my favorite series to this day. Plus it probably had a hand in my love for the genre of gore. I could take or leave its “sequel”, Jigsaw, that came out a few years ago. But that brings us to the ninth entry in the franchise, Spiral: From the Book of Saw.
This entry comes by way of Chris Rock, of all people. The Saturday Night Live alum pitched an idea for a ninth film that brings back franchise director Darren Lynn Bousman for Spiral: From the Book of Saw. Years after the event of the original series another Jigsaw copycat emerges to target dirty cops. Zeke Banks (Rock) must find out who has taken up the mantle and bring justice. To some degree Spiral returns the series to its roots. For one, this is the first film in the series that we’ve followed a protagonist that genuinely does the right thing since 2004’s Saw. It feels refreshing to return to that foundation. With this approach, it also allows an entry point for those who don’t really know anything about the series.
The franchise was a pioneer of the “torture porn” subgenre, giving audiences grotesque amounts of blood for little to no reason. Perhaps one of the strongest weapons within its arsenal is how the film uses its traps. They don’t just feel like random bystanders who Jigsaw deemed unworthy. The narrative focuses on taking down a local police station - dirty cop by dirty cop. It helps the narrative remain focused but also serves as a bridge for larger themes that previous entries have lacked. Rock at the forefront of Spiral is both a blessing and a curse. His story that eventually evolved into the film feels like Get Out meets Saw. It’s a story that takes its time and feels like a traditional police procedural. Honestly, this will turn a good deal of viewers off. It sometimes feels like a direct to video film in the way it's handled.
This is the first time that I can attest to or think of where Rock has played a serious role. That’s kind of where the film begins to take a dive in quality. In some ways, Rock’s portrayal of Zeke feels a tad autobiographical. If you’ve seen his Netflix special Tamborine, you’ll know what I’m referring to. However, it doesn’t always land for the world of Saw. Rock is great in those moments where he gets to let his comedy chops loose. He brings conviction to the role as well, resulting in an impactful performance. There are tons of moments though where his facial expressions just seem jarring, even for a film where people are getting their fingers ripped off. Bizarre facial responses usually lean into his less than desirable dramatic chops. His delivery is inconsistent to say the least.
As I’ve previously mentioned, this is a paint by numbers crime drama. In some ways it doesn’t feel like a Saw movie. When it does lean into the familiar territory of the franchise, I can attest it will satisfy hardcore fans of the franchise. The pacing of the movie never gives viewers something to latch onto until the final act. The police procedural elements clash with the trap portions, resulting in a messy execution. The storytelling can be sloppy at times. Then you get to the end, and, in true Saw fashion, prepare your jaw to hit the ground. The filmmakers do a terrific job at the landing of the film’s climax but sometimes stumble on the actual narrative. Much like this year’s remake of Mortal Kombat, this is a film made for the fans of the franchise.
Overall, Spiral: From the Book of Saw isn’t always as graceful as it should be. Chris Rock leads a dynamic cast that balances between signature Saw traps and police procedural. It has more than its fair share of generic structure. It is able to carve out a bold new chapter for the Saw franchise moving forward. The film seemingly stands in line with its predecessors, but steps out boldly on its own as well. In a lot of ways, this is a return to form for the series and a terrific starting point for new viewers. Spiral breathes new life into the franchise and even sets hopes for more dramas with Chris Rock.
RORSCHACH RATING:
Mental Health Moment: In some ways, this movie hits kind of close to home for me. Rock’s Zeke character is the son of Samuel L. Jackson’s Chief Marcus Banks. Zeke is living in the shadow of his father, which results in their relationship being strained. I’ll be a little bit vulnerable for a moment - I’ve had my own issues with family. It is just now starting to see a turn around. It has been some of the hardest moments I’ve had to endure in the past ten years. Only recently have I heard their side of the story. It was refreshing to see the same set of events from a different perspective.
Throughout the film Zeke is continuously trying to reestablish his relationship with his father. It’s an admirable subplot that the film establishes. Value the family you have now and the relationships that they yield. You never know when those individuals may no longer be here with us anymore. Bitterness takes its own toll with these estranged relationships. From someone who is trying to pick the pieces back up: the mental health takes its toll on both parties.
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Victims and Villains is written (and produced) by Josh "Captain Nostalgia" Burkey and others, and edited by Cam Smith. Music by Mallory Johnson and others. Spiral: From the Book of Saw is property of Lionsgate Pictures and Twisted Pictures. We do not own nor claim any rights.
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