Spiral: From the Book of Saw

Name: Spiral: From the Book of Saw
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Crime
Released: May 14, 2021
Duration: 93 min
Rating: 40
Cast: Ali Johnson, Chris Rock, Christopher Tai, Dan Petronijevic, Edie Inksetter

2021

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Mixed or average reviews based on 33 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Mixed or average reviews based on 117 Ratings

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5.3	User Score Mixed or average reviews based on 117 Ratings

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Spiral (Trailer 2)

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Movie Details & Credits

Lionsgate | Release Date: May 14, 2021 | R

Starring: Ali Johnson, Chris Rock, Christopher Tai, Dan Petronijevic, Edie Inksetter, John Tokatlidis, K.C. Collins, Leila Leigh, Marisol Nichols, Max Minghella, Morgan David Jones, Nazneen Contractor, Samuel L. Jackson, Zoie Palmer

Summary: A criminal mastermind unleashes a twisted form of justice in Spiral, the terrifying new chapter from the book of Saw. Working in the shadow of his father, an esteemed police veteran (Samuel L. Jackson), brash Detective Ezekiel “Zeke” Banks (Chris Rock) and his rookie partner (Max Minghella) take charge of a grisly investigation into murdersA criminal mastermind unleashes a twisted form of justice in Spiral, the terrifying new chapter from the book of Saw. Working in the shadow of his father, an esteemed police veteran (Samuel L. Jackson), brash Detective Ezekiel “Zeke” Banks (Chris Rock) and his rookie partner (Max Minghella) take charge of a grisly investigation into murders that are eerily reminiscent of the city’s gruesome past. Unwittingly entrapped in a deepening mystery, Zeke finds himself at the center of the killer’s morbid game.… Expand

Director: Darren Lynn Bousman

Genre(s): Mystery, Thriller, Horror, Crime

Rating: R

Runtime: 93 min

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Critic Reviews

Jenny Nulf

May 13, 2021

Spiral embodies the franchise James Wan and Leigh Whannell built, while being totally refurbished for a new generation. Read full review

Katie Rife

May 12, 2021

It’s not a waste of a concept, exactly, but it’s not the reinvention that the franchise needs, either. Rock’s involvement brings some new blood to Spiral, but after a promising start it ends up becoming a pretty okay Saw movie with some bigger names than usual. Read full review

Richard Roeper

May 13, 2021

It spirals downward into a ludicrous, dumbed-down horror story more concerned with grossing out the audience than in providing any compelling reason for this long-running franchise to keep chugging along, leaving a trail of blood in its wake. Read full review

Clint Worthington

May 12, 2021

Spiral is a frustrating animal: In its first half, it styles itself as a prestige sequel/revamp of a cult horror series, lifting it from its nu-metal origins into a moodier, Se7en-styled police thriller. But despite its promising start, the latter half of Spiral succumbs to formula, like a bloodied Jigsaw victim fainting from their wounds so the blades can finish the job. Read full review

Empire John Nugent

May 13, 2021

Spiral makes an admirable stab at defibrillating an old franchise — but ultimately wastes its stars, caught in the same bear-trap of a formula that befell earlier sequels. Read full review

RogerEbert.com Brian Tallerico

May 14, 2021

Spiral: From the Book of Saw is more frustrating than the average mediocre horror sequel because you can easily decipher the wasted opportunity up there on the screen. Read full review

The Guardian Benjamin Lee

May 12, 2021

It’s all so rushed and half-assed, like it was cobbled together on the fly rather than intricately plotted out, stupidly written and worst of all increasingly dull, a fitting end to a rotten pile of guts that’s less book of Saw and more novelisation. Game over. Read full review

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User Reviews

Josephgamers65

Nov 21, 2021

Spiral: From the Book of Saw is one of the most hyped movies of this year and OMG it lived up to everything I wanted I was really worried it was just another Saw Movie nope this is my fav because of the impactful character that is Zeke I loved his character played by Chris Rock I am so gladSpiral: From the Book of Saw is one of the most hyped movies of this year and OMG it lived up to everything I wanted I was really worried it was just another Saw Movie nope this is my fav because of the impactful character that is Zeke I loved his character played by Chris Rock I am so glad he was part of this movie an and producer on the movie I feel like this is what this franchise needed was something fresh and this movie brings that and all the characters were enjoyable on screen more like the other movies in this franchise which are not at all and all this hate on this movie I am so confused about to me this is one of the best movies of the year one of the best saw movies made and they said the ending you could see a mile away i did not see it at all actually I thought it was one of the cops but one of them got killed so i got confused who it was and this movie had an idea of an story that hit me and that's why i am glad Chris Rock got involved with this movie thank you Chris Rock of what you did to put together a Saw Movie what has an acutally purpose so This was an Big suprise on how good this movie was too me and now is my fav Saw Movie so I give Spiral: From the Book of Saw an A… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

firstaker

May 15, 2021

Surprisingly one of the better Saw movies. The acting is very good and the opening scene is actually very well directed. Sadly this movie is very predictable, the final plot twist will probably not surprise you.

Read Full Review:-Surprisingly one of the better Saw movies. The acting is very good and the opening scene is actually very well directed. Sadly this movie is very predictable, the final plot twist will probably not surprise you.

Read Full Review:- https://firstaker.com/spiral-movie-review-story-cast-and-trailer-firstaker/… Expand

3 of 11 users found this helpful38

TheQuietGamer

Jul 29, 2021

As much fun as 2017's Jigsaw was, it being one of the better entries in the series overall, there were some clear signs that these movies were in need of a shakeup moving forward. Keeping John Kramer's story going for so long after his death like that was just getting convoluted and moreAs much fun as 2017's Jigsaw was, it being one of the better entries in the series overall, there were some clear signs that these movies were in need of a shakeup moving forward. Keeping John Kramer's story going for so long after his death like that was just getting convoluted and more than a little ridiculous, while also making it nearly impossible for newcomers to jump in. That's part of what got me so excited for Spiral. A big portion of the pre-release marketing was centered around how this was meant to take the franchise in a new direction, while still remaining true to its roots. Something I think it succeeds at marvelously.

This is no reboot. Rather, it's the next chapter in the Saw universe. By going the copycat killer route the film is able to acknowledge and be connected to the original storyline in order to ensure there's a sense of continuity for longtime fans, while cleverly giving itself the freedom to do its own standalone thing and put some unique spins on familiar elements in the process to potentially bring in some new ones.

Things play out much more like a crime-thriller this time out as we watch an honest cop try to uncover who is killing the corrupt police officers in his precinct (a plot device that feels very topical these days). The pace may be a bit slower than that of its predecessors in the first half, but the mystery is compelling and Chris Rock's surprisingly effective attempt playing against type makes even the most plodding moments at least moderately engaging. I was a bit worried about the comedian's acting ability going into this, and while some aspects of his performance are suspect I feel feel he did a fine job with his sarcastic wit going a long way towards making the protagonist likable for more than just his sympathetic backstory.

The signature traps are smaller-scaled than any of the ones we've seen from Saw II and up, but they are memorable in their simplicity. The deaths themselves are also noticeably less gory. The thrills and chills you would expect are still in place. The horror is just handled in a way that allows more of the tension to come from the actual nature of the situation, as opposed to only the sight of blood and metal. All of which cause Spiral to hearken back to the very first title that started it all, which you can catch it giving more than a few affectionate nods to.

To help pay for some of the bigger names in the cast, including a criminally underutilized Samuel L. Jackson, the visuals have taken something of a hit. These films have always been rather low-budget, but this is easily the cheapest looking of the bunch. The effects for the guts and mutilation are fine, but things like the dollar store quality fake facial hair really stick out like a sore thumb. I get part of the reason Lions Gate has no problem keeping this property going is because it costs them little to make and has always brought in massive returns, but if they're going to start hiring more recognizable talent like this maybe they should put some more money into them as well. Can you imagine Saw with the financial backing of a modern day blockbuster?

Outside of that there's nothing I could really complain about as Spiral accomplishes everything it set out to do. It's just enough of a reinvention to be the fresh start the franchise needed, without betraying what made it so popular in the first place. I hope it gets some sequels because this got me excited to "play a game" again in a way a more direct continuation or full-on, slate-wiping reboot wouldn't have.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

DarkDestroyer11

May 30, 2021

Decent to watch one time but nothing special overall. Eh, I prefer the older ones.

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

TVJerry

Jun 4, 2021

This new version of the SAW franchise is more a cop drama than a string of horrible encounters that end in extreme bodily harm. Sure, there are still victims subjected to grisly fates, but this time they are all cops being dispatched because of some wrong in their past. Until this movie, IThis new version of the SAW franchise is more a cop drama than a string of horrible encounters that end in extreme bodily harm. Sure, there are still victims subjected to grisly fates, but this time they are all cops being dispatched because of some wrong in their past. Until this movie, I never considered Chris Rock to be the obvious choice for son of Samuel L. Jackson, but it works. They’re both known for their brash, humorous style and expletive laden language. Rock plays the officer assigned to the case, while Jackson (as his father) has a few moments. The real reason people come to this series is to squirm at the awful predicaments where people find themselves. This time the gruesome situations don’t have the same horrifying effect of earlier versions, making this more a murder mystery with some grisly killings.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

MattBrady99

Jun 11, 2021

Fun fact: This is the longest episode of 'The Chris Rock Show' ever.

Jokes aside, I appreciate Chris Rock for trying to breathe new life in this dead franchise while also bringing something topical into the mix. They tried at least. Not the best in the series, but not the worst either.Fun fact: This is the longest episode of 'The Chris Rock Show' ever.

Jokes aside,

I appreciate Chris Rock for trying to breathe new life in this dead franchise while also bringing something topical into the mix. They tried at least.

Not the best in the series, but not the worst either. Although I thought some of the Saw traps were really lackluster this time around. Bland and nothing special. Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson were fine, but I couldn't shake of the feeling this was the longest comedy sketch that kept building its punchline.

And why is it called 'From the Book of Saw'? Where's the box filled with saws in it!?

Also, it's weird how the movie 'Forrest Gump' exist in the Saw world, because Chris Rock's character makes a joke about it early in the movie. So Tom Hanks and the goofy looking Robert Zemeckis exist in this sick world....well our lives.

So yeah, those were my random thoughts on the movie. It kinda says a lot about the movie itself.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

sergiopalma02

Nov 16, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The best part of this movie is the flashback scene where Chris Rock is 20 years old but hasn't been aged down except for a backwards cap and Samuel L. Jackson wears a fake mustache. The worst part of this movie is everything else.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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