In “Spiral”, the latest film in the “Saw” universe, the first explosives land before the two-minute mark. Blood flows right after a man has to decide whether to tear his tongue out or get hit by a subway. It is undoubtedly an accomplishment that the film is better and worse overall than its predecessors, despite still earning an R rating. Unfortunately, that’s the only notable movie.
“Spiral” is directed by Darren Lynn Bousman (“Saw II”, “Saw III” and “Saw IV”) and written by Josh Stolberg and Peter Goldfinger (“Jigsaw”). The film follows the lonely wolf detective Zeke (Chris Rock), who reluctantly accepts a new partner (Max Minghella), while a jigsaw copycat attacks the corrupt officers of his troop. Zeke is portrayed as a renegade, the rare American man who isn’t afraid to whine about political correctness or to label his ex-wife as misogynistic. He scoffs at the protocol, tortures an informant, and gossips about how not to trust women. However, the film calls Zeke a “good cop” and expects the audience to cheer him on against the murderer.
Although “Spiral” is the first “Saw” film to introduce a new villain style – motivation, voice, and puppet alias are all different from that of the original villain John Kramer – it is no more challenging than the others. The most redeemable moment is a moment of the random camp in which a forensic scientist standing next to a meatless corpse says, “He was obviously skinned.”
The premise is insincere at best and, at a moment when dozens of citizens are calling for comprehensive police reform, scare tactics at worst. Like Jigsaw offering one of his simple puzzles, this movie isn’t as clever as it thinks.
Spiral: From the book of the saw
Rated R for dismemberment, cheeky words, and general gnarling. Running time: 1 hour 33 minutes. In theaters. Please consult the Policies of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before viewing films in theaters.
