Review - Spiral (2021)

         Hey guys, Chuck here. Well, I just got back from the theaters, and I went to see Spiral: From the Book of Saw. A stand-alone spin-off film, this chapter of the Saw franchise was directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, who directed three of the most popular films in the Saw franchise: Saw II, Saw III, and Saw IV. The writers on this film were Josh Stolberg and Pete Goldfinger, the same writers behind the last entry of the Saw franchise: Jigsaw, based on a story treatment by the film's lead actor, Chris Rock. So, his does this one compare to the rest of the series? Let's find out as we take a look at Spiral.

          So the movie opens at a Fourth of July carnival, where police detective Marc Boswick chases a suspect into a sewer tunnel, only to be attacked by an assailant in a pig mask. Some time later, Boswick wakes up chained to the ceiling of a subway tunnel, with a device strapped to his head, and the only means of escape from getting killed by an oncoming train is to drop to the floor, having his tongue cut off in the process. Well, he loses his tongue and gets killed by the train. 

         The next day, detective Ezekiel Banks, son of retired police chief Marcus Banks, is assigned a new partner, Detective William Schenk, and the two are sent to investigate the crime scene in the tunnel. After investigating the tunnel, and finding two packages, one containing a flash drive, the other the dead detective's tongue and badge, Zeke realizes that the police are dealing with a Jigsaw Killer copycat. So, does Zeke find the killer, whose hunting down police officers? Well, you might just have to check the movie out for yourself to find out. 

           Spiral feels less like a Saw movie and more like a Saw fanfic brought to the big screen. Aside from a few name-drops, as well as some pictures, the Jigsaw Killer, John Kramer, doesn't have much of a role here. Tobin Bell does not reprise his role in some kind of flashback, and he is only mentioned a few times. Now, admittedly, at this point in the series timeline, John Kramer is dead, but still, is every film from Saw IV onwards can keep having him show up, I don't see why future movies can't have him appear in some capacity. 

         The other interesting takeaway is the main cast. Chris Rock, Max Minghella, Marisol Nichols, and Samuel L. Jackson were really good here, with my two favorite performances being from Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson. The writing, however, played out more like a police procedural than a Saw movie. This felt more like a Saw- inspired episode of Criminal Minds than a genuine Saw movie. 

        However, the one major thing that elevates this movie from being mediocre to being enjoyable is the traps. The traps in this movie are truly creative. I mean, a guy losing his tongue in a subway tunnel? A woman being doused by hot wax? A glass crusher that shoots glass shards like bullets? The traps in Spiral are inventive, unique, and kept me on the edge of my seat. On top of that, the twist reveal of the killer's identity, while obvious, is still pretty unique and was a bit out of left field. Also, I'm glad that Darren Lynn Bousman returned to the Saw franchise with this movie. Now, do I want to see the main story of the Saw franchise continue where Jigsaw left off back in 2017? Yes, I do. And, we're definitely going to be getting more Saw sequels, if Lionsgate Films, the studio behind the series, is to be believed. 

        Overall, while not the strongest entry of the series, Spiral is far from the worst Saw movie ever made. I'm giving Spiral a rating of 3.5/5. This is Chuck signing off, and I'll see you guys next time. 

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