Review of Spiral - From the Book of Saw
midlandsmovies • July 6, 2021
Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021) dir. Darren Lynn Bousman
After a four year absence the Saw franchise returns to the big screen albeit rebooted with Chris Rock leading the way, doubling up as leading man and producer.
At first glance, Sprial suggests a fresh direction for the Saw franchise, instead of the previous convoluted plot of double crossing detectives and confusing flashbacks we have a fresh slate seemingly unconnected to the original story.
Chris Rock is homicide Detective Zeke Banks, a tough, unpopular officer who has been assigned a new partner after his close friend and old partner winds up murdered, tortured in the style of old Saw protagonist Jigsaw.
You read right, its 2021 and we have a cop film where a veteran is paired up with a rookie and they have to solve a series of murders. No marks for originality in this review.
However the Saw franchise isn't known to appease critics, its main demographic is horror fans and gore hounds who are thirsty for imaginative deaths and blood curdling violence. This film delivers in that respect, limbs are pulled off, body parts cut, and there is a whole new meaning for a face mask.
What Zeke and new partner Will Schenk (Max Minghella) quickly find out is Jigsaw is back, granted in the form of a copycat taking over the infamous mantle.
Police officers are being targeted, specifically ones that work in Zeke's precinct. When his father, former police captain Marcus (Samuel L. Jackson) goes off the grid Zeke and us, the audience ponder whether he is the next victim or the killer himself.
Whilst Rock should be praised for playing against type and bringing fresh insight to a tired franchise, this role ultimately escapes him. His first half hour on screen starts well, his jokes come thick and fast which just put me in the mood for a Chris Rock stand up marathon however when the tone shifts he struggles to play those serious, dramatic moments.
Spiral does pack some punch, it's theme of police brutality and social injustice seem topical and of the moment, however this is purely by chance as the film was shot and finished before 2020.
Horror fans and casual film goers should avoid this film like the plague and for my first film back in cinemas I couldn't have picked a more tedious watch. Its narrative is so bereft of original thought that this is more The Glimmer Man than Seven. Darren Lynn Bousman, a veteran Saw director, was brought in to evoke success of previous years but instead demonstrates that that is exactly where this franchise needs to stay, the past.
★ ½
Guy Russell
Twitter @budguyer
On Sunday 26th April Midlands Movies Editor Michael Sales & awards ceremony co-host Ed Stagg (BBC Radio) announced the nominations for the 2026 Midlands Movies Awards live from the Queen of Bradgate Vintage Cinema in Leicester. A big thanks was given to the entire Jury Panel of industry experts who gave up their precious time to watch a huge selection of creative projects and as always, had a difficult time choosing from the excellent number of films from the region. You can read the full list of nominations across all 16 categories below and watch our announcement videos here: Part 1 & Part 2 And please also check out our great awards partner Chrome Video Best Actress in a Leading Role Karendip Phull for Family Kate Bracken for The Lace Rachel Baker for Throwing Fruit Chloe Wade for How Long Sophie Bullock for Ma Prison Best Animated Film Of All the Things by Steff Lee Big Red by James Pyle Statue in the Garden by Qianhui Yu Butterfly by Jacob Christie Best Director Luke Worrall for The Waterline Lily Portman for Quiet Jack Richardson for Daniel’s Room Jonathan Hawes for Sorry We’re Closed Sophia Dall'Aglio for Man from Mars Best Documentary Nothing's Impossible by Jacob Thomas McClean A Birmingham Symphony by Jemma Saunders We Bring Light: Leicester's Diwali Legacy by Kieran Vyas The Sunshine Café by Jill Lampert Through the Viewfinder by William North Best Sound (Editing or Mixing) Neil Evans & his team for Artificial Insanity Alasdair Gretton for Dead on Distribution Deepanjali Patel for Earworm David Hamilton-Smith for The Pause Heidi Wilson for Of All The Things Best Actor in a Supporting Role Devon Junior for Lazar Tim Sparrow for Safety Net Shaiek Ahmed Rana for Family Luke Rollason for Quiet Peter Willoughby for A Story of Spring Best Visual & Special Effects Jake Wesley-Worrall for Soul Trader Steve Askey & team for The Correction Unit Nick Willett, Matt Burkey & Jayne Hyman for Black Goat JaqD SFX MUA, Mind Magic Studios and Ben Harker for Beyond the Witching Hour Pete Key, Jai Blanks and Jacob Christie for Countenance Best Cinematography Gary Rogers for The Pause Laurence Mason-Guetta for Sorry We’re Closed Ian Snape for Soul Trader Ash Connaughton for Daniel’s Room Duane Adamoli for Surfing (nominations continue below...)
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