Saw X
Directed by Kevin Greutert
Running time: 1hr58 | REVIEWED BY CATHERINE BRAY
Billy the Puppet in Saw X
Here we go again, another grisly slice of “torture porn”! Haven’t we left all that behind in the 2000s?
For those who need a refresher: when the first Saw film made an ungodly amount of money on its Halloween release in 2004, sequels were swiftly green-lit, one per year until 2010’s eighth instalment, after which the rate slowed, without quite stopping. The franchise was dubbed “torture porn”, due to the elaborate traps from which victims would attempt to escape, involving such dilemmas as: could you dig a key out from behind your eye with a scalpel, against the clock, if it was the only way to avoid a gory death?
“Torture porn” is an interesting phrase. What does it mean? It sounds like it means something bad. Is that because of the presence of the word “porn”? Maybe. How about “food porn”, “scenery porn”, or “property porn”, all of which have been used to describe such undoubted harbingers of damnation as Nigella's Christmas Kitchen, Poldark and Grand Designs. So perhaps the “[something] porn” designation doesn’t by itself mean something beyond the pale, but rather denotes an impression of excess, or of wanton enjoyment of a thing for its own sake. This would then, presumably, become a bad thing when coupled with something that we agree is bad, like torture? I mean, I’m assuming we agree torture is bad, right? I do. I’m taking a brave stand against torture here – call me a desperately woke liberal leftie if you like.
Other things which we all agree are bad likely include: war, shark attacks, and the 1912 disaster in which the ocean liner Titanic struck an iceberg and sank, taking over 1,500 poor souls with her. That doesn’t mean you can’t make an exciting or enjoyable movie about those things, though – the trick is to be careful not to depict those things as desirable or positive outcomes. The Saw franchise very much abides by this dictum: as you watch a Saw trap unfold, the viewer is squarely aligned with the perspective of the victim – your thoughts include: “how would I fare?”, “what would I do?” and “could I get out of this?” (respective answers: poorly, die, nope.) The sensation is akin to boarding the most nightmarish rollercoaster you think you can handle and thrilling to the adrenalised sensation of imminent doom.
Given all this, I think “torture porn” needs to be reclaimed as a positive label, stripped of its shaming and unimaginative usage as a condemnation. I’m here for “torture porn” as a proud badge denoting free enjoyment of a thing for its own sake. The thing in question might feel transgressive to watch and enjoy onscreen, but savouring its adrenalinised delights bears as little relation to an endorsement of real-life torture as watching James Cameron’s Titanic does to wishing a watery grave on contemporary seafarers.
Anyway… the new Saw movie is the best one in ages, and if you like this kind of thing, feel free to go get your rocks off with pride, ignoring any boring prudes judging your kinks or shaming your proud torture porn positivity.
SAW X (2023) Written by Peter Goldfinger, Josh Stolberg | Shot by Nick Matthews | Edited by Kevin Greutert
In cinemas now.
