The Saw franchise is one of the most controversial horror franchises out there; while it clearly has a dedicated fan base, there are others who simply can’t sit through its gruesome, sickening horror sequences. It’s developed somewhat of a reputation for being tough to watch at times, and that’s no different with Saw V.
By this point in the franchise, Saw needed to take some dark, bold swings to keep audiences on board. The first movie had been massively successful with its creative, low-budget storytelling, and the first couple of sequels did an excellent job of expanding the mythology with new characters and key plot twists. By the fifth movie, Saw began relying on the gore and violence to keep the viewers hooked.
The majority of the Saw movies open with some kind of ‘trap’: a twisted device that victims are strapped into and forced to complete painful trials in order to stop it from killing them. It’s a tradition that’s come to define the Saw franchise over the years, and Saw V featured one of the most iconic yet.
The horror sequel opens with a young man named Seth Baxter, who was released early from prison after killing a woman. He wakes up strapped to a table with a massive ceiling blade hanging above him, swinging slowly. In order to stop the blade from descending and slicing him in half, Baxter must place his hands into boxes and push buttons to crush his bones.
It’s a dark opening—even for the Saw franchise. When asked about the film’s opening scene, director David Hackl said: “Our opening is…it’s something. People turn away in the editing room when they come in and see it. Our composer, Charlie Clouser, can’t even watch it.”
Evidently, the film’s bold approach to horror worked in its favor. Saw V was a massive financial success, pulling in upwards of $118 million at the worldwide box office against a reported budget of just $10 million. At the time, this was a slight step down in comparison to the previous sequels—but still a very impressive haul.
Critics’ reviews, however, were much less favorable towards Saw V. The film currently holds an unfavorable score of 17% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a critical consensus that reads: “If its plot were as interesting as its torture devices, or its violence less painful than its performances, perhaps Saw V might not feel like it was running on fumes.” Among Saw fans, it’s a horror classic; among critics, it’s a boring flurry of cheap thrills.
