I returned to Saw because of Leigh Whannell. I enjoyed Wolf Man and am a big fan of his Invisible Man, so I thought I would give Saw another go as it is probably what he is most well known for.
Saw is a franchise that I have never embraced, as I’m not a fan of the ‘torture porn’ horror sub-genre that it helped launch. Seeing horrible people doing horrible things to other horrible people isn’t my idea of a…
It took me a while to get used to the tone of this - particularly the very ‘extra’ acting - but this did slowly win me over and by the end I was all in. Some well executed moments of horror and an ending that tugs at the heart strings add up nicely to a satisfying whole. This could be accused of trying too hard but cut it some slack and you’ll have a good time.
Classic haunted house film - one of my favourites - with a screenplay by Richard Matheson of I Am Legend fame, based on his own novel, Hell House, which is cited as an inspiration by Stephen King.
This is a genuinely creepy film, dripping in atmosphere and boasting some truly unnerving moments. It’s like an amped-up The Haunting but more interested in cruelty and debauchery.
Special mention to the amazing soundtrack by Delia Derbyshire of Dr Who fame. It’s minimal and used sparingly but greatly effective.
