Horror has always played an essential role in cinemas, but not everyone was equipped to handle the most extreme genre entries.
Nowadays, the critical and audience reception to horror is much different than even 20 years ago, which explains why the tenth Saw entry is having quite the moment.
Saw X just hit cinemas, and the reaction to the film is unlike anything in the long-running horror franchise’s history. The film has seen a Rotten Tomatoes score of 85% percent out of the gate, placing it in the ‘Fresh” category. For the first time, a Saw film has a positive score on Rotten Tomatoes, the closest being the original 2004 Saw film coming with 50%. Besides that, every other Saw movie sits under 40%.
What could be the difference between this and other entries? The tenth Saw movie takes a different route, focusing on character over pure insane madness. We see the focus finally shift to John Kramer (Tobin Bell) and give him a revenge story against the corrupt health industry.
With stronger direction and something to say, we can see most critics ease up on the harsh comments about the violence. Giving Saw X a point-of-view can make it feel closer to its peers than a relic of the era when films were labeled ‘torture porn.’
SEE ALSO: Read our Saw X review here
Just a heads up to all the Jigsaw diehards: the score could change from the time of writing, but the film only needs a 60% to stay fresh, and with the early positive reception and strong word-of-mouth, Saw X is likely to keep its golden goose status.
John Kramer (Tobin Bell) is back. The most disturbing installment of the SAW franchise yet explores the untold chapter of Jigsaw’s most personal game. 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. Armed with a newfound purpose, the infamous serial killer returns to his work, turning the tables on the con artists in his signature visceral way through devious, deranged, and ingenious traps.
Saw X is now playing.
