Saw X emphasizes characters and motivations before abandoning that drama as a device to paint Jigsaw as a complex hero. However, as heinous as his captives are, torture is never the answer. Had his philosophy been challenged throughout, this could've been morally interesting. Instead, it's problematic. By the climax, Jigsaw is embraced as some defender of innocence, despite spending the second act sadistically murdering people. There's no arc, theme, or falling action. It has corny dialogue, flat characters, contrivances, weak twists, and predictability. The acting shows intensity but limited range or layers. Still, Saw X's biggest flaw is its endorsement of a sociopath.
Technically, Saw X wavers between stylish and bland. Its imagery uses lighting, angles, framing, motion, and focus, but is often dark and drab. The editing adds flashy dissolves, inserts, pacing, frame rates, and jump cuts, yet also feels drawn out, repetitive, and overlong. Its atmospheric music is mostly a non-factor. The production design's only noticeable contributions are the traps. Its cast has no stars and the returners are much older than their roles. The effects offer bloody gore through prosthetics, makeup, and CGI. Its sound utilizes smash cuts, stings, distortions, and vivid violence. Overall, Saw X is more miserable than entertaining and more misguided than insightful.
Writing: 2/10
Direction: 4/10
Cinematography: 6/10
Acting: 7/10
Editing: 6/10
Sound: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 5/10
Production Design: 6/10
Casting: 4/10
Effects: 7/10
Overall Score: 5.5/10
Comments