Saw, the popular horror-thriller series created by James Wan and Leigh Whannell, is about to release its tenth film, cementing its position as one of the biggest horror franchises in cinematic history. This extraordinary series revolves around the notorious “Jigsaw”, also known as “The Jigsaw Killer”, whose sinister trials of survival push their victims to extreme limits, exploring the fine line between life and death, rehabilitation and redemption. But did you know who there is a chronological order in Saw?
The saga began in 2004 with a short film of the same name, followed in the same year by the feature film. Since then, the series has expanded to include nine other films and various related media. The central plot revolves around John Kramer, Jigsaw, whose character was briefly introduced in “Saw” and later developed in detail in the film “Saw II”.
A hallmark of Jigsaw is its unique approach to victims. Instead of killing them outright, he puts them in extreme situations, called “tests” or “games”, where they have to fight for their lives, facing physical and psychological challenges. Jigsaw believes that, if they survive, these victims will be able to rehabilitate.
To follow the timeline of events in the Saw film series, here is the order of the films:
- Saw (Short Film – 2004)
- Seen (2004)
- I Saw 2 (2005)
- I Saw 3 (2006)
- I Saw 4 (2007)
- I Saw 5 (2008)
- I Saw 6 (2009)
- Saw (2010)
- Sega: Puzzles (2017)
- SPIRAL – Saw Legacy (2021)
- I Saw X (2023)
The plot often involves detectives or investigative figures trying to track down and capture Jigsaw, as was the case with Detective David Tapp, played by Danny Glover, in one of the films.
While the series has been noted for its tense storyline and disturbing plot twists, it is sadly not available on streaming platforms at the moment. However, fans can look forward to the release of the next film, titled ‘Saw X’ which brings back such iconic characters as John Kramer (Tobin Bell) and Amanda Young (Shawnee Smith). This film promises to explore Jigsaw’s past and his motivations for becoming the notorious assassin, and is scheduled to hit theaters on September 28th.
Seen (2004)
This is the movie that really started it all. “Saw” introduces viewers to the sadistic John Kramer, also known as Jigsaw, a civil engineer who, after being diagnosed with cancer, decides to test people’s will to live by subjecting them to terrible traps. He does it because he believes that most people don’t appreciate their lives until they face death up close. The film focuses on two victims, Adam and Dr. Lawrence Gordon, who wake up chained in a dirty bathroom and are forced to face their own demons.
I Saw II (2005)
“Saw II” expands the universe by introducing a new set of characters trapped in a series of lethal traps, this time led by Detective Eric Matthews who manages to arrest the infamous Jigsaw. He must rise to the challenge of rescuing a group of people placed in brutal situations by Jigsaw, including his son. This film also shows the relationship between Jigsaw and his apprentice, Amanda.
I Saw III (2006)
The third film continues to explore Jigsaw’s devious plan, with Detective Kerry becoming one of the victims. Meanwhile, physician Lynn Denlon is forced to keep Jigsaw alive while watching another game participant, Jeff, seek revenge for the death of his son. This film reveals more about Jigsaw’s motivations and the depth of his desire to change people.
Visa IV (2007)
“Saw IV” reveals more of Jigsaw’s past, showing events that took place concurrently with the previous films. Jigsaw’s autopsy reveals an envelope in his stomach, indicating that the game is not over yet. Detective Rigg, who has appeared in previous films, is the central focus of this film, taking on the trials of Jigsaw to test his obsession with saving others.
I Saw V (2008)
This film delves into the origins of the plot, showing how the characters from the previous films are interconnected. Jigsaw’s actions in the previous films start to make more sense when a new set of tests is performed on a group of people with a surprising connection.
Visa VI (2009)
The storyline continues to deepen, exploring questions of justice and morality. Saw VI follows FBI Special Agent Peter Strahm as he tries to unravel Jigsaw’s posthumous plans and confronts Jigsaw’s newest apprentice. Meanwhile, William Easton, an insurance executive, is forced to participate in a series of tests.
Saw: The End (2010)
“Saw: The Finale” was initially billed as the end of the saga. Here, Hoffman, Jigsaw’s apprentice, takes center stage after his mentor’s death. The storyline goes back to the past and shows how Hoffman got involved in Jigsaw and continues to put people into horrible traps. The pieces of the puzzle finally fall into place and the film offers a surprise ending. The film promised to be Saw’s last chronologically, but it ended up being the beginning of a break in the franchise.
Sega: Puzzles (2017)
After a seven-year hiatus, the franchise reemerged with ‘Saw: Jigsaw’. This film, in a sense, restarts the saga. A new batch of victims are subjected to deadly tests resembling Jigsaw’s style, raising questions as to whether the real Jigsaw has returned or if there is an impersonator at work.
SPIRAL – Saw Legacy (2021)
“SPIRAL – The Legacy of Saw” is a spin-off of the franchise, which takes a new detective, Zeke Banks, on a search for a cruel serial killer who is apparently copying the same way of acting as Jigsaw. The film explores the themes of police corruption and justice, maintaining the tradition of shocking pitfalls and twists.
I Saw X (2023)
The next installment in the series, simply titled Saw X, brings back John Kramer, the serial killer known for being the original Jigsaw. The work will take place chronologically between the events of the first and second films, showing John Kramer’s journey to Mexico in search of an alleged miracle cure for his terminal cancer. There he discovers that he has been the victim of a scam that aimed to exploit people desperate for a cure.
This ends up motivating him to take revenge on those responsible, using his already known traps and promises to further explore assassin John Kramer and his motivations for becoming the cruel Jigsaw.
In short, the chronological order of the Saw films follows the trajectory of Jigsaw and his victims through a complex plot full of twists and turns. Starting with the first film in 2004, the saga has spanned several decades, offering horror fans many hours of suspense and shocking surprises. Whether you’re a fan of the series or just starting to explore this universe, you now have the full sequel to make the most of this spooky experience.
Keep in mind that the chronological order of Saw that makes the most sense is the release order itself, which is the best way to appreciate the evolution of the story and understand the references between the films, even if Saw X is set in the past, having seen the other movies will make the experience more complete.
The post What is the chronological order of the Saw movies? first appeared on Look Digital.
Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
