When Saw debuted in 2004, it was unlike anything horror audiences had seen in years. Created by James Wan and Leigh Whannell, the first film was a claustrophobic, psychological thriller that slowly morphed into a cultural juggernaut.
The series consists of ten entries, with the most recent being in 2023. When you tally the worldwide box office numbers for all the entries, it’s a staggering $1.14 billion. This is remarkable when you consider the series began with a $1.2 million budget for the first entry.
While it was dismissed as exploitative by some, it was praised for its originality. Regardless of where you stand, there’s no denying that Saw redefined horror in the 2000s and left behind a legacy that can still be felt today.
In this article, let’s explore what made the Saw series stand out and how it still influences the genre to this day.
It Reinvigorated the “Torture Horror” Subgenre with a Psychological Edge
Before Saw, the horror genre was largely stuck in a loop of formulaic slashers and supernatural stories. Saw ripped through that mold and confronted viewers with tough moral questions in combination with high stakes.
So, unlike other films of the time, violence was not featured just for the sake of it. Instead, it was an integral part of the internal logic for the series. Traps have been featured in countless horror films.
However, where others leaned into pure shock value, with Saw, they were reflections of personal failings, designed to test a victim’s will to live. This gave the violence a strange kind of narrative purpose.
At the same time, it wasn’t just targeted at some niche art crowd. Oh no, the appeal was instantaneous and would go on to inspire titles like Hostel and The Collector, and most recently, the Skillhouse horror movie.
As Fathom Entertainment explains, this recent film touches on the influencer-obsessed world we now live in. Each character needs to ‘post or die’ with the one with the fewest amount of likes getting killed. This sort of commentary on the current zeitgeist in a life-or-death context is thanks to the Saw series.
Jigsaw: A New Kind of Horror Villain
What truly elevated Saw into horror legend status was the introduction of its antagonist, John Kramer, better known as Jigsaw. Unlike typical villains who kill indiscriminately, Jigsaw operates by a strict moral code. He didn’t see himself as a murderer but rather as a teacher, forcing his victims to confront their own flaws in order to survive. It was a twisted, yet strangely principled form of justice.
This layered characterization was a departure from genre norms. Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees, and Michael Myers were terrifying, but ultimately one-dimensional. Jigsaw, by contrast, was a terminally ill man who had experienced trauma and used it to craft a warped worldview about life’s value.
His traps were cruel but calculated, and his motives were disturbingly logical. This created a fascinating dynamic where audiences were repulsed by him but also intrigued by his rationale.
As Jason Blum, founder and CEO of Blumhouse, explains, with horror movies, you have to get into the head of the audience. When making a horror movie, you make films from the POV of the audience, which is something not taught in film school.
The use of Billy the puppet, the chilling recordings, and the iconic line “I want to play a game” turned Jigsaw into a cultural icon. He was cerebral, manipulative, and philosophical, making him one of the most unique horror villains ever created. His presence elevated the Saw films beyond gore and set the genre up for smarter, more introspective antagonists.
The Franchise’s Commitment to Lore and Continuity
While many horror franchises tend to reboot or disregard continuity, Saw doubled down on it. Each new installment added layers to the story, revealing how characters, timelines, and motivations were all interconnected in a complex web. It was less of a linear story and more of a cinematic puzzle, one that demanded attention and rewarded long-time viewers.
Through non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, and surprise twists, the franchise created an almost soap opera level of continuity. Events from earlier films would be re-contextualized in later ones, encouraging rewatching and deep fan analysis. Even characters presumed dead would reappear in unexpected ways, adding to the mythos.
This approach made Saw feel more like a serialized drama than a slasher series. While it could be overwhelming for casual viewers, it was gold for die-hard fans. The commitment to an evolving storyline laid the groundwork for future horror franchises that wanted to do more than just repeat the same formula. It was one of the early examples of a horror cinematic universe, long before that term became trendy.
Fans of the series will be happy to note that yet another entry in the series is underway. What’s more, James Wan (the original director) and Leigh Whannell (the original writer) are reuniting with the franchise after nearly two decades. We can’t wait to find out what psychologically intriguing direction the next Saw film is going to take.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the correct order to watch Saw?
The Saw movies are super interconnected, so watching in release order is the easiest way to keep track. Start with Saw (2004), then go up to Saw X (2023). Each film adds backstory or twists that make more sense this way.
2. What is the psychology behind liking horror?
Some people enjoy horror because it gives them a safe way to experience fear and adrenaline. It’s like a rollercoaster for the brain—scary but controlled. It also helps people explore dark themes or stress in a weirdly fun, cathartic way.
3. What defines horror as a genre?
Horror is all about triggering fear, suspense, or unease. It usually involves threats, whether supernatural, psychological, or physical, and pushes characters to their limits. Good horror taps into our deep instincts and anxieties, even when the story itself is fictional.
Essentially, what we’re trying to say is that Saw is a series that introduced a kind of narrative rigor the genre hadn’t prioritized in years. Gore had meaning, and Villains had philosophy. For a franchise that started with a single room and two chained men, its influence has stretched far beyond what anyone expected.
