Saw IV

Director: Darren Lynn Bousman

Starring: Tobin Bell, Costas Mandylor, Scott Patterson, Betsy Russell, Lyriq Bent

The games have begun….again, this time for its fourth outing. The rules are -as always - simple: You must pay recompense for your own misdeeds or you will, instead, pay with your life. This instalment is as thrilling as ever; the race is on to thwart another devastatingly twisted set of traps forged by the infamous ‘Jigsaw Killer’. Following the death of his colleague, Detective Rigg (Lyriq Bent) is drawn into a game where he holds the fate of his other compatriots in his hands. Those familiar with the series will already be aware of the redemptive nature of Jigsaw’s (aka. John Kramer played by Tobin Bell) ‘games’ – and this film is, overwhelmingly, about Rigg’s personal journey being able to see past his obsession (that of the ‘Jigsaw’ case) so he can save the lives of his friends.

Four years in and still going strong, the Saw series has become a staple of the Halloween festivities, and has enough plot twists to really put a knot in your stomach. Although one could argue a tendency towards gratuity in violence, this film proffers more suspense and psychology in favour of the usual blood and gore one would expect of the genre; it instead focuses upon Rigg’s journey to understand Jigsaw, which is followed eagerly by FBI agents Strahm and Perez (played by Scott Paterson and Athena Karkanis respectfully).

Although the understanding of the film is greatly aided by having watched the previous releases, it is by no means essential. The flashbacks during the film provide reminiscence of the series and allow the audience to appreciate the continuity in the franchise, yet Saw IV is a successful stand-alone movie, ideal for any lover of the horrific and truly terrifying.

Ben Sparshot