On Monday 17th May two very big things will happen in the world of cinema. Firstly, cinemas will all open their doors to the public once more after several months of pandemic-enforced closure. Secondly, the special date also marks the return of the Saw franchise with new film Spiral: From the Book of Saw arriving onto screens. As well as the series returning, the film also marks the return to the Saw fold of Darren Lynn Bousman. Bousman first joined the series with Saw II after his script, titled The Desperate, caught the attention of Lionsgate. He then stayed on to make both Saw III and Saw IV before moving on to focus on his other projects. Since he left Billy the Puppet and John Kramer behind, Bousman has produced a slew of great movies including Repo! The Genetic Opera, Mother’s Day, and in more recent times, Abattoir and St. Agatha. Although having previously been thought to have left the franchise behind for good, her returns for the ninth instalment in the series.
Jackson and Rock star in Spiral as two generations of police officers who find themselves in the cross sight of a burgeoning Jigsaw wannabe. This new version has taken a page out of John Kramer’s book, but rather than focus on rehabilitating the ‘scum’ of humanity, turns their attention to the very corrupt police force within which Rock’s character Detective Zeke Banks works. As a deadly cat and mouse game begins, the blood and traps flow freely once more. Can anyone survive this newly motivated killer?
Whilst hitting some of the expected beats of the Saw films of yesteryear, Spiral also moves the film into a new arena. This ninth film in the series focuses on the investigation more than the gore, and, in a franchise first, adds a strong sense of humour to proceedings. It’s a very interesting new path to forge, made all the more intriguing to know it has one of the original main filmmakers attached. In the lead up to release we spoke with Bousman to find out exactly why he signed back on and just how he and Chris Rock worked together to establish a new environment within which the Saw franchise could thrive.
Spiral: From the Book of Saw arrives in cinemas across the UK from Monday 17th May.
