HALLOWEENTOWN, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Every day this month, resident horror movie enthusiast and 828newsNOW staff reporter Pruett Norris is recommending a Halloween film for your macabre amusement.
Whether they be monster movies or fearsome family films, demonic possessions or slasher sensations, this exercise hopes to encourage spooky seasonal “scream”ings at home or in cinemas.
As the old saying goes, “trick or treat, trick or treat, give me something good to…watch.”
Day 21: SAW (2004, 103 min., directed by James Wan)
“I want to play a game,” said Jigsaw. 20 years later, we’re still playing.
The “Saw” franchise of horror films has been around for two decades now. It has endured spin-offs, “final chapters,” prequels and an endless barrage of sequels. Its lore is convoluted, its style has been parodied and its plot twist widely known. Yet the “Saw” movies are just as fun to play now as they were in 2004.
The franchise is built on the twisted pleasure of seeing the kooky death traps Jigsaw – and the writers – cooks up for his victims. That conceit is built on an inherent inventiveness that cannot grow old so long as the franchise’s creators continue to deliver, iterate or up the ante. So far, across 20 years and 10 films, they have.
While “Saw” may not be for the faint of heart, it’s oddly a franchise with it. Heart, that is.
The most recent installment, “Saw X,” is a gore-splattered family drama. The return of old characters, like in “Saw 3D,” is a welcome treat for longtime fans. The first “Saw,” too, is grounded in a handmade, homegrown tactility: seeing “Saw” screenwriter Leigh Whannell play one of the main characters in the first film and director James Wan navigate a tiny budget is endearing. No matter the fact that limbs are getting severed and machines like the “reverse bear trap” are strapped to people’s heads.
“Saw” is fun, and at its best, the franchise knows it. The original is a fantastic watch for a group of friends. If you’re looking for a Halloween game night, put on “Saw” instead.
“Saw” is available to stream on Max and Peacock.
Looking for more October movie recommendations? Read the rest of the 828boosNOW archive:
DAY 1: BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
DAY 3: A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET 3: DREAM WARRIORS
DAY 5: SCOOBY-DOO! AND THE WITCH’S GHOST
DAY 7: THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT
DAY 8: THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
DAY 14: KIKI’S DELIVERY SERVICE