Following Jigsaw's grisly demise, Mark Hoffman is commended as a hero, but Agent Strahm is suspicious and delves into Hoffman's past. Meanwhile, another group of people are put through a series of gruesome tests.
As the Saw franchise continued its blood-soaked journey into the realms of horror and psychological torment, the arrival of Saw V in 2008 brought with it a fresh dose of cat-and-mouse intrigue and disturbing games. Building on the twisted legacy of its predecessors, Saw V introduces a new layer of complexity to the narrative, diving into the origin story of one of the franchise's most enigmatic characters. Amidst the gruesome traps and visceral violence, the film grapples with questions of trust, survival, and the dark underbelly of human nature.
Saw V adds a new layer of tension to the franchise by focusing on the cat-and-mouse conflict between FBI agent Strahm (Scott Patterson) and the "hero" cop Hoffman, who was unveiled as a Jigsaw associate in the previous instalment. This dynamic provides a fresh source of drama, with Strahm rightfully suspicious of Hoffman's motives and role in the twisted games. The battle of wits between the two adds an engaging layer to the narrative, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats as they navigate a world of deception and death.
Hoffman takes centre stage in Saw V, as the film delves into his past and unveils his origin story. Flashbacks become a crucial narrative device, intertwining Hoffman into the events of the earlier films and shedding light on his motivations and sinister inclinations. This exploration of his character adds depth and complexity to the franchise, offering a glimpse into the mind of a character whose dark journey mirrors that of the series itself.
One of the distinctive elements of Saw V is its non-linear narrative structure. The film begins before the autopsy of John Kramer, a chronological choice that adds layers to the unfolding events. By exploring events before Kramer's death, the film reveals the intricate timeline of the series, painting a fuller picture of the complex web of characters and their connections.
The main game of Saw V centres around a group contest, where a collection of unsavoury individuals must work together to escape a prison of torture devices. The film masterfully plays with the dynamics of cooperation and betrayal, presenting characters who must overcome their own instincts for self-preservation. This tug-of-war between cooperation and backstabbing adds a layer of suspense and intrigue to the story, making it one of the most captivating murder-house dynamics in the franchise.
As the franchise progresses, Saw V takes on the responsibility of clearing up lingering questions that had muddled the previous films. The film offers answers to some of the puzzles left behind by Saw III and Saw IV, aiming to provide closure and clarity to the franchise's intricate narrative.
David Hackl takes the directorial reins for Saw V, and his background as a production designer is evident in the film's visual style. The dark, eerie atmosphere of the film is maintained, with settings that exude an unsettling aura. The ultra-creepy score and eerie sound effects further contribute to the demented ambience, amplifying the unsettling nature of the franchise.
Saw V enters the fray with a cat-and-mouse dance of death and intrigue, driven by the conflict between Strahm and Hoffman. While the film offers a glimpse into Hoffman's origin story and aims to clarify some of the franchise's mysteries, it sometimes finds itself caught in the web of its own complexities. The central game of survival injects fresh dynamics into the series, exploring themes of trust, cooperation, and betrayal in a visceral and suspenseful manner. While Saw V might not reclaim the unique brilliance of its predecessors, it still provides fans of the franchise with a chilling and gripping experience, further expanding the saga of moral quandaries, visceral violence, and the darkness that resides within us all.
Saw V was released back in 2008, but Saw X is in NZ cinemas from September 28, 2023