Like most movies in the Saw franchise, Jigsaw, instead of having an elaborate and engaging story-line, features gory murder scenes meticulously planned ahead of time by a notorious killer. The overly-simplistic plot matched with grisly death scenes lead viewers to experience a gut-churning tension rather than spectacular drama.

10 years since killer Jigsaw himself was killed, five people wake up with buckets on their heads, chained at the neck to the wall. As is the one immutable rule in the Saw playbook, “contestants” in this event have earned their place on the gruesome obstacle course for past wrongdoings to which they refuse to confess. To survive the “game,” the victims most likely have to wave goodbye to limbs or vital organs.

As the first obstacle, the five victims are dragged toward rotating saws that won’t stop unless they let out some blood. Already, one of them is killed. The traps continue while Detective Halloran discovers clues leading to Jigsaw. With his partner, the two begin suspecting who the killer might be. The clues eventually lead them to an abandoned farm full of murderous equipment.

The makers of Jigsaw intended their new film to be portrayed as a vital puzzle piece to the Saw series. However, with the movie’s odd final “twist” which elicits a confused response, its loosely-strung plot connected mainly through short flashbacks with seven sequels worth of backstory, and – might I add – too-dark camera filters, it ended up being a meaningless addition to the series. You could practically say anything you needed to about the movie without ever mentioning the one film called Jigsaw. That being said, unless you genuinely enjoy pure gore, it will be a waste of time to watch this inept attempt at a concatenation of the franchise’s previous films.

Final Verdict: C-

 Jigsaw fails to serve its purpose as a puzzle piece to the Saw series.