Spiral: From the Book of Saw reviewed by Mark Kermode

[@Milosh111]

"plot plot TORTURE!" is new "quiet quiet NUN!"

[@MattSingh1]

"Torture-prod cinema"?

[@colinr0380]

Makes it sound like Mamma Mia

[@onibabapapa2659]

"plot, plot plot, plot plot, plot,wisecracking--TORTURE!" that's one for the posters

[@themanwithnoname2816]

Mrs. Brown's Boys D'Movie is actual torture! Best gag of 2021 by Kermode 😂

[@herakthereal]

I mean just like saw might be for you it isn't for me and Mrs Browns boys is. People have different tastes.

[@No-dl6im]

@@herakthereal you have terrible taste, but like you said that's ok

[@mattd1659]

The first Saw film is so much better than the rest of the series implies

[@NickHunter]

The acting was godawful but was pretty solid as a B-movie thriller

[@thatshot8]

Very memorable, worthwhile effort that won’t be forgotten.. great use of music and mystery.

[@larrysweetlove]

I love the first Saw. Such a good ending and the tension throughout is great

[@niemiecthestandup]

Saw 1, 2 and 6 are excellent. 3, 7 and Jigsaw are alright. 5 is bad. 4 is the worst.

[@joshhunt4146]

@@niemiecthestandup I would say Saw is great, 2 and 6 and Jigsaw are okay, and then the rest including this one are pretty bad

[@richaquilastokes]

"Well we're outta cake!" "So my choice is -OR DEATH?"

[@euansmith3699]

You beat me by four days :D

[@smrnr7074]

Well I’ll have the chicken then

[@largepurplemonkey]

@@smrnr7074 Taste of Human sir?

[@Qwazin]

"You either die or the only way to not die is to die" perfectly sums up the SAW movies.

[@kclink1579]

No.

[@thefoxcritic1]

No.

[@lathan.]

"I'd rather watch Mrs Browns Boys" no you wouldn't - Amen brother

[@colinr0380]

It might be worth noting regarding "the only choice to avoid dying is to die" bit is that the 'twist' of the Saw series was that only the original villain was actually giving people the chance to escape the various traps, whilst everyone surrounding and carrying on his legacy was conveniently forgetting that aspect to either settle a few scores or just because they didn't care.

[@colinr0380]

Saw V is the best entry in the series for this aspect because (spoiler) the six people trapped going through the various torture devices quickly start turning on each other and killing each other off to ensure their own survival, only for the final two to get to the final saw-based sequence which six people could perhaps have survived with relatively minor wounds. Except now there's only two of them to fill up six people's worth of blood vials. In that sense the Good Doctor is a little wrong in that a lot of these films don't really want the audience to identify with the victims but more see them ironically get their comeuppance, albeit in overly extreme ways (there is also the same issue that many horror films have in that you have to actually see the horrible thing get done, because otherwise there's no real pay off, and seeing that is really the point of the exercise, but that creates a strangely depressing inevitability to a lot of the inescapable deaths)

[@Derek_Smallshorts]

The point at which the Saw franchise would lose me would be when someone was forced to watch a full episode of Mrs Brown's Boys to survive and actually managed it, because suspension of disbelief only goes so far.

[@parrogakaparadise9477]

🤣

[@TheTweedyBiologist]

Mrs. Brown's Boys is actual torture 😂

[@parrogakaparadise9477]

It really ought to be prohibited under the European Convention for Human Rights if the authorities were doing their jobs properly 🤣

[@craigcorbet]

I couldn’t have put it better myself.

[@michaelohagan6546]

love island is torture as well haha

[@TheElixir007]

4:29 that's the film in a nutshell

[@nikdavies6829]

To answer Simon, one of the reasons I really got into the Saw movies in the last few years, loved Jigsaw and am really excited for Spiral, is because I really appreciate how much they can do/achieve with low budgets and the practical elements that feel so genuine. It's why they're able to effectively recreate that tension when visiting Thorpe Park, for example and you're queuing for the attraction.

[@legoluvva4438]

The Thorpe Park ride is overhyped rubbish. Lazy and tacky just to get money, like everything that came after the first couple Saw movies. Who cares anymore

[@TheMrdominator1997]

@@legoluvva4438 disagree go back to Legoland

[@Aceimus1066]

Please can someone do a drum and bass remix of "Plot, Wisecrack, Plot, Wisecrack, TORTURE!"

[@markpowell7395]

Digging the Blade Runner t-shirt...

[@DonJohn80]

Can we get a music remix of "plot plot wisecracking plot TORTURE plot"?

[@bengejuknowit3048]

I loved the original saw, it felt fresh & had a great twist! 2 & 3 were OK but it was just about how far the torture can go! I'm not into that personally either!

[@Fed804]

Surprised Mark didn’t mention Martyrs - the French movie that has torture scenes. I think it’s definitely the “best” movie that includes these kinds of scenes. Ultimately there is a point to it. It’s deeply nihilistic and upsetting. I found myself thinking about a ton of stuff after watching. The problem with these saw remakes/ Films like Hostel 2 etc is that they’re nasty with no point other than Look at this/ that!!! You finish these movies thinking that the director in particular just wanted to make this for the fun of it.

[@danmann861]

Martyrs was garbage. Pretentious torture porn. I never got the hype behind Martyrs. Hostel at least knew what it was and made no apologies for it. Martyrs was just pretentious. Audition is still the best example of this type of movie. A film that is genuinely interesting and a film where its key torture scene actually serves the plot.

[@ObsceneVegetableMatter]

Martyrs is great. The end doesn't really make sense, but it is wonderfully twisty, turny and twisted. You never know where it's going next.

[@lathan.]

I am a hardcore horror fan but that and a Serbian film were the 2 that went beyond my comfort level, I wished I could unsee both as they both stayed with me a few days after.

[@sollamander2206]

To answer Simon Mayo, torture porn has a similar visceral uneasiness to watching someone put nails on a chalkboard, or my particular pet peeve, the Jackass paper cut scene.

[@Rodrigo-rx4zr]

Please review "The Dry" starring Eric Bana . Thanks

[@JellyfishHell]

“I like being scared; what I don't particularly like is being grossed or winced out.” Then why are you watching a saw film?

[@skooptywooop1030]

Plot contrived over dramatic plot

[@charlieedwards4860]

I think you’ll find it’s his job

[@GameAndMusicNerd]

I remember one of the criticisms I constantly saw online was “bad social commentary” since there are corrupt cops. Have they not seen, like, any of the Saw movies? The main character of Saw II is a crooked cop, he’s also in Saw III and Saw IV, and one of the guys in Jigsaw is a crooked cop!

[@keyserxx]

"mixed bag of body parts" is the tagline they wanted :)

[@thebasementfilmgroup]

Mrs Brown's Boys is actual torture ..... class!!!

[@rozz7531]

"Plot, wisecrack, plot, wisecrack torture!" Putting this aside Chris Rock and Samuel L Jackson??!!! Come on...I am not a Saw fan but will be watching this.

[@THECRAZY320]

The reason torture in saw films works is because you imagine how you would escape the trap.

[@RoyKoopaling]

I am a fan of the Saw series - the first maybe 3 are really quite inventive and made a good effort of creating its own little world and story, it just continually devolves into nonsense of course. So I was really excited for this reboot! But Kermode is absolutely right here. Spiral wants to be two films, and it fails at both!

[@juju3851]

came from rotten tomatoes seeing the " I like being scared; what I don't particularly like is being grossed or winced out." just to say, its a saw movie, you watch to get grossed out, if you dont like it dont watch it

[@joepbailey]

It was so bad. So uninspired. I also called everything that happened. It was so predictable.

[@VicenteTorresAliasVits]

*No spoilers here.* SPIRAL: FROM THE BOOK SAW fooled us all with its marketing ploy. You see, they claimed that it was going to be a more humorous take on the SAW movies. The truth is that, while there *is* comic relief, it's not more than what the previous installments had. They cast a comedian in the lead role, but it's not classic Chris Rock; it's FARGO Chris Rock. Does "It's less horror and more drama/thriller" not sound like something that would attract viewers, whether they're familiar with this franchise or not? Aside from it being a dirty move, it wasn't even necessary, because the end result is entertaining. I was invested in the plot, as well as in the characters and the dynamics between them. Over the years, many people have criticized the "I'm going to test how much you're willing to live by putting you in this trap and giving you instructions on how to break free" mantra, because in a lot of cases, the odds are against the victim. This spin-off takes it to another level. It's literally impossible to win each game. There's a trap where someone has to avoid getting electrocuted. After hearing what the instructions are, they don't hesitate. They start doing it immediately. OK, they stop halfway through because they can't handle the pain, but they resume after only a couple of seconds. Even if they hadn't done that, they wouldn't have had enough time to get out of the water basin. And don't even get me started on the trap from the final scene. Is this a way to make the audience understand that this copycat killer doesn't think like Jigsaw? Even if that's the case (instead of an unintentional writing mistake, as it appears to be at first sight), why would this criminal go through all the trouble of emulating a murderer with a very specific philosophy when there are others out there with a mentality more similar to his? Speaking of the torture scenes, their screen-time has been reduced. Do the makers want audiences to stop associating these titles with gore as they keep this film series going? Good idea! The sequels were the ones that created that "brand;" the original didn't focus on the traps all that much. 7/10

[@lpquagmire3621]

If only they'd make a sequel...

[@josephmullan6931]

The Saw movies are hilarious (perhaps unintentionally) on their own and being completely straight faced, not sure we need Chris Rock wisecracking to help them

[@1983jcheat]

He's doing the character from Lethal Weapon 4 again. Just with a different name and no Joe Pesci.

[@parrogakaparadise9477]

@@cineturon that’s something to look forward to 🤣

[@1983jcheat]

@@cineturon Is Mel gonna be the drunk racist cop? 😂

[@MrGean83]

I think it stays true to the original Saw. xx

[@kurtpalmer6529]

Watched the trailer - that was enough. Chris Rock "was" a fantastic stand up comedian. He's a terrible actor. A terrible, terrible actor.

[@curiousworld7912]

I really like Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson, but I agree with the presenters here that torture is simply not an enjoyable experience for me to watch in a film. I love a good horror film, but torture-porn, as it's become known, seems unimaginative, lazy, and simply an excuse for cheap thrills - masochistic, or no. Violence, I understand in a film, and if it has a reason to be there - fine. But I find films that explore a character or characters psychological reactions to forces outside their control to be far more interesting and frightening. 'The Exorcist', 'The Changeling', the original 'The Haunting', and others do this quite well, but gruesome violence which is inserted merely for shock value, holds little appeal. Now, a film such as Ken Russell's 'The Devils' is certainly gruesome and violent, with quite a bit of body horror, but it makes perfect sense in the context and is a work of artistic brilliance. The 'Saw' franchise is not.

[@adamrielh]

“Oh for heavens sake” that’s exactly how I felt saw 3 and beyond 😂

[@bettilopez4327]

What was this review? I dont understand what opinion was established. X

[@garyr6097]

Agreed...and also marks reviews are so long sometimes that it’s like actually watching the film He ends up giving us the whole narrative

[@amasulem]

Did I miss Circular Saw?

[@scottberman1223]

No matter how crappy the Saw series became, I always had a soft spot for it because it's essentially the my generation's very own Friday the 13th series. Never-ending sequels, plot is crazier with each movie, and a villain who's dead yet kind of immortal.

[@playthatfunkymusicrobot]

I find it hard to believe that the same Mark Kermode who testified in courts to save "video nasties" finds the Saw franchise a bit "squeamish" to endure.

[@philcorrigan5641]

He never said the Saw-style torture porn should be banned, just that he doesn’t understand the appeal. I find that Saw fans get really precious when other people say that they simply find the series dull 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@santatiano]

It´s a torture to watch this constant eye rolling movie.

[@mochynddu723]

Why not Death by Chocolate?

[@KeithFraser82]

Coming soon, Saw 10: We Saw You Coming

[@Dazgul]

I haven't see this but I totally agree with Mark about Mrs Brown's boys. Absolute garbage. How is it even on let alone popular?

[@fredsmith-kingofthelunatic7810]

You'll be pissed when you find out they also sold it to Australia and it played here on free to air tv too.

[@DrussTheDeathwalker]

I don't like being winced out- watches the 9th saw

[@ClaireMonica-Art]

You had me at obtuse 🤣

[@silobandnj3967]

Half the movie is Chris Rock staring really awkwardly into the camera in an attempt to be serious or just screaming. The acting was awful, the casting was awful, the plot and twist were mediocre at best. The effects and traps were subpar. But man was it funny. I was seriously laughing at this movie the whole entire thing. I think this has a potential drinking game in it. Had a great time in the theatre the whole way through.

[@josephc.highjr.2947]

@@SkinnyEMedia Chris Rock is solid in the film, but the humor dragged it down. He's a good dramatic actor if he's strengths are utilized well. Just check out Season 4 of Fargo to see my point. The performances and the visuals are the two strongest aspects of the fourth season.

[@E.Humperdinck]

It was so bad... Chris Rock will NEVER ve taken seriously as an actor after this...."performance?"

[@kclink1579]

6:10 Don't watch Home Alone then.

[@Argeaux2]

Chris Rock cannot act. That's the first big problem. I only like so called torture porn if it's cartoonishly over the top. I sit there going, no, they didn't actually do that, did they? The torture scenes in Jigsaw weren't clever. Most of them involved either ripping things off people, or providing a "way out" that didn't work. This breaks one of the main premises of Saw. You should have an opportunity to beat the game. The final problem with the movie is the two dimensional characters. I didn't get to know these people, I didn't care about these people. I couldn't care less if they beat the Saw traps. I thought the whole thing was a failed attempt, and Chris Rock should not do another.

[@LL-jt1xt]

Cake or death?

[@markfudge5642]

Death or death, I'll have the cake.

[@PaulLarke1980]

We're all outta cake!

[@colinr0380]

In a way the first Saw film is both the most traditionally successful yet also the least interesting of the series *because* it is Se7en-lite (and Kiss The Girls lite with the presence of Monica Potter in it). The sequels are gnarlier but actually purer grand guignol in an interesting way. And Saw III, V, VI and The Final Chapter are excellent.

[@emmanuelsalazar9424]

The Saw franchise is utter pants. Watched the first, and that was enough for me.

[@theshape7214]

Can’t believe I used to love these movies. Maybe I’m just turning into a big wimp 😂🎃

[@sonofthenorth18]

Well...this sounds awful.

[@seanmorrisandthedoghousero9843]

Chris Rock deserved to be slapped by Will Smith for his acting in this movie alone.

[@MamadNobari]

💀

[@simondownham9938]

6:13 Simon Mayo: Why anyone should want to watch torture? honestly, is he for real? What sort of question is that. why anyone would like to watch war battles, aliens, ghosts, or drunk people so on. people watch films that you can see or experience in your real life.

[@PaulLarke1980]

Yes it is a bit of a prissy question. Like asking why people would want to watch porn. It's pretty damn obvious.

[@ghostc.t.k.3688]

I. Thank you. ☯️

[@NornIronMan.]

Watches this last night and it's totally rubbish. Zero scares and the police corruption storyline is boring. What happened to Chris Rock. He's used to be watchable and now he's just annoying.

[@marsmartin]

This movie was utter garbage. The originals were generally smart, and could be enjoyed regardless of whether you like gore or not. This one was dumb and none of the traps were winnable, they were just death sentences.

[@theshape7214]

A lot of the traps that Amanda was making were unsurvivable too, from what I remember. She went against Kramer’s vision and failed her test.

[@marsmartin]

@@theshape7214 Yes. That was a major plot point. How is it relevant here?

[@nickd7036]

stay in your lane, chris

[@PhaktTheIsolationist]

This is the producers/studios attempt to cash in in the success of Get Out and the new Black focused horror genre. I love both Rock and SLJ, but feels a little exploitative.

[@MrSircharly]

the only good thing about this movie is the 4-5min wit Sam J...the rest is cringe worthy acting.

[@deslardesslok]

2 HOURS LATE SQUAD WHERE YOU AT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

[@TheRedKobra]

It's rubbish this one.

[@deslardesslok]

I SAW (Ha see what I did there?) this movie yesterday at the theater on May 13th at 6pm

[@HeroesZeros]

This film is total garbage. Difficult to talk about for 8 seconds let alone 8 mins.

[@scubbaluban]

This films awful 😂