Film Review: Saw IV (2007)
Even after death, Jigsaw's game has just begun.
Directed by: Darren Lynn Bousman
Screenplay by: Patrick Melton & Marcus Dunstan
Starring: Tobin Bell, Scott Peterson, Costas Mandylor, Betsy Russel, Lyriq Bent
Running time: 92 minutes
Rating: R18+
This review contains spoilers.
The fourth instalment in the long-running horror series, Saw IV (2007), is a grim continuation that expands the franchise's lore. While it deepens the mythology and ups the ante on its classic traps, I fear you may need a master's degree to follow the storyline.
Picking up immediately after the death of John Kramer (Jigsaw), the film follows Detective Rigg, who becomes the next test subject meant to teach him to let go of his need to save others. Meanwhile, FBI agents continue to investigate how the games are carried on without Jigsaw, leading to more twists, flashbacks and revelations about Kramer's backstory.
The film leans heavily into interconnecting the narratives between Saw II and Saw III, which will satisfy dedicated fans but may confuse casual viewers. The timeline continuously jumps and the characters overlap, creating a web of plotlines that demands close attention. The increasingly complex lore gives Saw IV a sense of ambition rarely seen in slasher franchises; however, it wasn't until my third watch of this film that I fully understood what was being presented.
As expected, the traps are inventive and grotesque. That said, they felt fairly rushed. Instead of Saw's usual drawn-out sequences and impressive camera work, the scenes were over quickly—which I'm sure some people would appreciate—but it didn't bring the iconic "live or die" feeling that Saw usually provides. While the violence is intense, the traps this time around serve as a narrative function to push the film's philosophy. It's refreshing to see a new type of people in thetraps, rapists and sex traffickers, rather than desperate people in tough situations.
Even in death, John Kramer remains a compelling presence. His performance in flashbacks adds depth to his morally corrupt character, and the audience finally gets to see the reason that began his twisted ideology, humanising the killer in surprising ways. Unfortunately, other characters, such as Rigg, feel underdeveloped and more like a useful plot point than a purposeful one.
Saw IV is best appreciated as a piece of a large puzzle rather than a standalone horror film. For fans, it's a crucial chapter that ties up loose ends and reveals a shocking twist. For others, it's a bloody maze that may not be worth the effort.
Rating: ★★☆☆☆
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