My quick rating – 5.7/10. Getting my watchlist under control is officially my New Year’s resolution, which led me back to Spiral: From the Book of Saw. I was also fairly certain I’d already seen this one at some point, yet my database had absolutely nothing logged. Never a good sign. Still, curiosity (and franchise loyalty) won out.
Working in the long shadow of his respected police veteran father (Samuel L. Jackson), brash Detective Ezekiel “Zeke” Banks (Chris Rock) and his rookie partner (Max Minghella) become embroiled in an investigation that uncannily reminds him of events in the past that seemed all too familiar. Before long, Zeke becomes embroiled in a macabre scenario that has all the hallmarks of a Saw movie, despite its pretense that this is something new.
The reason this film exists is no secret. This was very much a passion project for Chris Rock, who’s been open about being a big fan of the Saw franchise. You can feel that enthusiasm in the concept, but execution is another story. While the gore is absolutely on point – no complaints there – the film struggles badly with tension. The AI-synthesized voice used for the killer is a major misstep; it never instills fear or dread, and instead comes off oddly flat and artificial. If this was meant to signal a new generation of Saw, it’s hard not to think the franchise course-corrected far more successfully with Saw X by returning to the era when Jigsaw was still alive and filling in narrative gaps that actually mattered.
That said, Spiral isn’t without its moments. While the conclusion does offer some interesting ideas, there’s enough torture, cat-and-mouse action, and franchise cliches to keep loyal viewers somewhat enthralled. In fact, this one does not feel out of place among the better late entries when measured against some of the other follow-ups to the original. The character arc, as predictable as the plot, makes the consequences feel telegraphed.
Chris Rock’s performance is another sticking point. His acting feels off throughout, lacking both his usual stand-up energy and the presence needed to sell the darker material. It never fully clicks as serious, which creates an odd tonal imbalance. Sam Jackson does what he can, but the script doesn’t give him much room to shine. Overall, Darren Lynn Bousman‘s direction is solid, the script is mediocre, and the acting is uneven.
As a hardcore Saw fan, and knowing this is technically the ninth installment, my expectations were already low – and even then, Spiral still feels like one of the weaker entries in the franchise. It’s not a “bad” movie, but it’s also not very memorable. There are elements that work, sure, but the sum of its parts leaves a lot to be desired. Not the best horror film by any stretch, but still worth a watch if you’re after some quick, disposable entertainment.
