The newest feature film for this franchise, Spiral (2021), from the prolific minds of screenwriters Josh Stolberg (Kappa Kappa Die, Jigsaw), and Pete Goldfinger (Kappa Kappa Die, Jigsaw), was directed by Darren Lynn Bousman (Death of Me, Saw II, III, IV). Fans hope that the inclusion of seasoned writers, and a director familiar with the franchise, will ensure continuity and integrity of the latest Saw release. 

Bousman, best known for seamless scene transitions, is a member of the unofficial Splat Pack. The Splat Pack was an eponym for a clan of independent filmmakers who, in the early 2000s, created low-budget horror films, featuring a plethora of gore and depravity. 

Directors associated with the Splat Pack moniker include French filmmaker Alex Aja (Piranha 3D), Darren Lynn Bousman (Repo! The Genetic Opera), Eli Roth (Cabin Fever), Robert Rodriguez (Machete), Neil Jordan (The Descent), Rob Zombie (House of 1000 Corpses), and Greg McLean (Wolf Creek).

The Evolution of Spiral

Spiral continues the terrifying legacy from the Book of Saw. The movie was first named The Organ Donor, then Spiral: The Book of Saw, and then Spiral: SAW, before Lionsgate settled on its USA release name Spiral (2021).

Executive produced by actor-comedian Chris Rock (Death at a Funeral, Chris Rock: Tambourine). Rock also stars as Detective Ezekiel “Zeke” Banks, the son of police veteran and experienced Jigsaw-hunter Marcus Banks. Marcus Banks is played by Samuel L. Jackson (Shaft, Captain Marvel), American actor-producer and self-styled “king of cool.” 

Additional cast members for this Saw edition include English-born actor and filmmaker Max Minghella (The Handmaid’s Tale, The Mindy Project) as Zeke’s rookie partner, Detective William Schenk. 

While attempting to decipher the gruesome clues, Zeke (Rock) is left mired in questions, confused by suspicions. He quickly finds himself paralyzed, trapped as prey to a psychopath’s grisly pursuits