Saw

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1:57

Saw

R

2004

1h 43m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

50%

Tomatometer

195 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Photographer Adam Stanheight (Leigh Whannell) and oncologist Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes) regain consciousness while chained to pipes at either end of a filthy bathroom. As the two men realize they've been trapped by a sadistic serial killer nicknamed "Jigsaw" and must complete his perverse puzzle to live, flashbacks relate the fates of his previous victims. Meanwhile, Dr. Gordon's wife (Monica Potter) and young daughter (Makenzie Vega) are forced to watch his torture via closed-circuit video.

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Critics Consensus

Saw ensnares audiences with a deceptively clever plot and a myriad of memorable, nasty set pieces, but its lofty ambitions are undercut by a nihilistic streak that feels more mean than profound.

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Jordan Crucchiola

New York Magazine/Vulture

Oct 27, 2017

The sound of Jigsaw's gravely voice pouring out of the tape recorder is still as ominous a sound as one could imagine, and the big reveals still come as a genuine shock.

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David Germain

Associated Press

Oct 27, 2014

How such a cruelly empty and infantile movie got made is mystery enough. More puzzling is why Cary Elwes, Danny Glover and Monica Potter would sign on as co-stars.

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James Christopher

The Times (UK)

Oct 27, 2014

James Wan's horror film Saw is full of demented twists and guilty-looking actors, but the scenario is cruel enough to make you squirm.

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John Stark

Mac the Movie Guy

May 25, 2026

75/100

I think some detractors need to revisit Saw, the surprise indie hit that built a franchise and sub-genre, and still has one of the great movie twists of all time. Saw is sadistic and brutal, but don’t cut your nose off to spite your face. saw is a classic

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Bryce Hanson

Horror Movie Talk

Sep 18, 2025

7/10

The original Saw is well constructed and has an engaging plot that unravels nicely, but it’s still at its heart, a cheap exploitational premise.

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Sharai Bohannon

A Nightmare On Fierce Street Podcast

May 23, 2025

4/5

'Saw' has twists, a gross bathroom, a dangerous aura, James Wan in the director's seat, and Chekhov's saw. It was destined to be a banger.

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Grant

Mar 24, 2025

Always ready to see this in theaters. They should do a marathon of all of them.

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Mike

Nov 14, 2024

Classic. Must watch horror.

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Steven-Jew King

Oct 24, 2024

Nothing Disliked. Was Great seeing it on Big Screen

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Sheila S

Oct 24, 2024

Great. Saw all of them previously

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Allyson

Oct 24, 2024

The one that started it all. It kicked off a billion dollar franchise as well as my favorite media franchise ever, one that has persisted, unwaveringly, with me for 20 years now. I have always been a SAW fan and will always be a SAW fan. I go through hyperfixations a lot, but SAW is the only one that has lasted as long as it has. If I ever got a tattoo, it would be based on SAW.

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Gab

Oct 24, 2024

It was ok, I was expecting more of it.

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James Wan

Director

Cary Elwes

Dr. Lawrence Gordon

Danny Glover

Detective David Tapp

Monica Potter

Alison Gordon

Michael Emerson

Zep Hindle

Tobin Bell

John

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Saw II

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Saw III

28%

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Saw IV

19%

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Saw VI

39%

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Synopsis

Photographer Adam Stanheight (Leigh Whannell) and oncologist Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes) regain consciousness while chained to pipes at either end of a filthy bathroom. As the two men realize they've been trapped by a sadistic serial killer nicknamed "Jigsaw" and must complete his perverse puzzle to live, flashbacks relate the fates of his previous victims. Meanwhile, Dr. Gordon's wife (Monica Potter) and young daughter (Makenzie Vega) are forced to watch his torture via closed-circuit video.

Director: James Wan
Producer: Mark Burg, Oren Koules, Gregg Hoffman
Screenwriter: Leigh Whannell, James Wan
Distributor: Lionsgate
Production Co: Twisted Pictures, Lions Gate Films, Evolution Entertainment
Rating: R (Language|Strong Grisly Violence)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 29, 2004, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Oct 20, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 28, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $650.1K
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Dolby, DTS, Dolby Atmos, Dolby SRD, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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