Saw

Play trailer

1:57

Saw

R

2004

1h 43m

Horror

Mystery & Thriller

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Popcornmeter

50%

Tomatometer

194 Reviews

84%

Popcornmeter

250,000+ Ratings

Photographer Adam Stanheight (Leigh Whannell) and oncologist Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes) regain consciousness while chained to pipes at either end of a filthy bathroom. As the two men realize they've been trapped by a sadistic serial killer nicknamed "Jigsaw" and must complete his perverse puzzle to live, flashbacks relate the fates of his previous victims. Meanwhile, Dr. Gordon's wife (Monica Potter) and young daughter (Makenzie Vega) are forced to watch his torture via closed-circuit video.

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Critics Consensus

Saw ensnares audiences with a deceptively clever plot and a myriad of memorable, nasty set pieces, but its lofty ambitions are undercut by a nihilistic streak that feels more mean than profound.

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Jordan Crucchiola

New York Magazine/Vulture

The sound of Jigsaw's gravely voice pouring out of the tape recorder is still as ominous a sound as one could imagine, and the big reveals still come as a genuine shock.

Oct 27, 2017

Full Review

David Germain

Associated Press

How such a cruelly empty and infantile movie got made is mystery enough. More puzzling is why Cary Elwes, Danny Glover and Monica Potter would sign on as co-stars.

Oct 27, 2014

Full Review

James Christopher

The Times (UK)

James Wan's horror film Saw is full of demented twists and guilty-looking actors, but the scenario is cruel enough to make you squirm.

Oct 27, 2014

Full Review

Bryce Hanson

Horror Movie Talk

The original Saw is well constructed and has an engaging plot that unravels nicely, but it’s still at its heart, a cheap exploitational premise.

Rated: 7/10

Sep 18, 2025

Full Review

Sharai Bohannon

A Nightmare On Fierce Street Podcast

'Saw' has twists, a gross bathroom, a dangerous aura, James Wan in the director's seat, and Chekhov's saw. It was destined to be a banger.

Rated: 4/5

May 23, 2025

Full Review

Cassondra Feltus

Black Girl Nerds

The influential film established James Wan and Leigh Whannell as masters of their craft and led to one of the most successful horror franchises in history.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 29, 2024

Full Review

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Grant

Always ready to see this in theaters. They should do a marathon of all of them.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/24/25

Full Review

Mike

Classic. Must watch horror.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/14/24

Full Review

Steven-Jew King

Nothing Disliked. Was Great seeing it on Big Screen

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/24/24

Full Review

Sheila S

Great. Saw all of them previously

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/24/24

Full Review

Allyson

The one that started it all. It kicked off a billion dollar franchise as well as my favorite media franchise ever, one that has persisted, unwaveringly, with me for 20 years now. I have always been a SAW fan and will always be a SAW fan. I go through hyperfixations a lot, but SAW is the only one that has lasted as long as it has. If I ever got a tattoo, it would be based on SAW.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/24/24

Full Review

Gab

It was ok, I was expecting more of it.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

10/24/24

Full Review

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James Wan

Director

Cary Elwes

Dr. Lawrence Gordon

Danny Glover

Detective David Tapp

Monica Potter

Alison Gordon

Michael Emerson

Zep Hindle

Tobin Bell

John

Saw: Official Clip - Lawrence Saws Off His Foot

2:13

Saw: Official Clip - Who Is That?

2:12

Saw: Official Clip - Jigsaw Calls Their Bluff

2:14

Saw: Official Clip - It Was Tapp

2:11

Saw: Official Clip - The Game

2:13

Saw: Official Clip - Head Trap

2:13

Saw: Official Clip - Booby Traps

2:12

Saw: Official Clip - Razor Wire

2:01

Saw: Official Clip - Game Over

2:03

Saw: Official Clip - Revenge

2:13

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Saw III

28%

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Saw IV

18%

62%

Saw IV

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Dead Silence

21%

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Saw VI

39%

53%

Saw VI

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Synopsis

Photographer Adam Stanheight (Leigh Whannell) and oncologist Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes) regain consciousness while chained to pipes at either end of a filthy bathroom. As the two men realize they've been trapped by a sadistic serial killer nicknamed "Jigsaw" and must complete his perverse puzzle to live, flashbacks relate the fates of his previous victims. Meanwhile, Dr. Gordon's wife (Monica Potter) and young daughter (Makenzie Vega) are forced to watch his torture via closed-circuit video.

Director: James Wan
Producer: Mark Burg, Oren Koules, Gregg Hoffman
Screenwriter: Leigh Whannell, James Wan
Distributor: Lionsgate
Production Co: Twisted Pictures, Lions Gate Films, Evolution Entertainment
Rating: R (Language|Strong Grisly Violence)
Genre: Horror, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Oct 29, 2004, Wide
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Oct 20, 2024
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 28, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $650.1K
Runtime: 1h 43m
Sound Mix: Dolby, DTS, Dolby Atmos, Dolby SRD, Surround
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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