A criminal mastermind unleashes a twisted form of justice in Spiral, the terrifying new chapter from the book of Saw.

Another highly anticipated release that was postponed due to Covid-19 finally got released.

I’ve been really intrigued about this film ever since it was first announced, I’m sure that just like everyone else I was surprised to hear that comedian Chris Rock was the one who was leading the next stage of the franchise. I don’t think anybody in their wildest dreams saw that one coming but here we are.

As someone who is a fan of the “SAW” franchise I was actually looking forward to seeing where this could go, it was something that had a lot of potential to it. Unfortunately, in my opinion, that potential wasn’t reached and by the end of the film it sadly felt a bit lacklustre, all that waiting was just anticlimactic.

I’ll start with Chris Rock, he just wasn’t the right guy for this, he has a limited acting range and it was really difficult to buy him as the ‘tough cop’. His character was just so one dimensional, as were a lot of other characters sadly. Another downfall was the script, it was extremely mediocre and had nothing original to it.

In fact it felt like any other cliched cop thriller you’ve seen with a “SAW” story sewn into it, it wasn’t helped by some dodgy editing either. There are moments that are a nod to the original series of films and admittedly a couple of the death scenes were fun but it did nothing to cover up the uninspiring story and plot holes.

In my opinion “Spiral: From The Book Of Saw” was a wasted opportunity and if the rumours are true that it’s the start of a trilogy then it’s got off to a very weak start.

If you want to see “Spiral: From The Book Of Saw” trailer then just click on the video below:

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Miscellaneous facts about the film:

Chris Rock is a fan of the “Saw” franchise and pitched the idea to Lionsgate. As a result, they made him one of the lead actors, writer, and executive producer.

According to director Darren Lynn Bousman, a trap consisting of someone getting their face cut off had to be cut from the film in order for it to receive an R rating from the MPAA. Previous attempts all resulted in a rating of NC-17.

The first film in the series not to be released in October.

The police basement vault door is manufactured by a company called “Jules and Vincent.” This is a reference to the characters played by John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson in Pulp Fiction (1994).

The previous working title was “The Organ Donor”.

There is no mention of Dr. Lawrence Gordon, Mark Hoffman, or Logan Nelson, the main characters from the previous “Saw” films. Dr. Gordon was alive at the end of Saw 3D (2010) where he locked up Hoffman with no chance to escape; Logan was alive at the end of Jigsaw (2017). Their fates remain undisclosed in this film.

With theatres across the world closed due to the outbreak of COVID-19, Lionsgate pushed back the release date from May 15, 2020 to May 21, 2021. On March 24, 2021, it was announced that the film would be released on May 14, 2021 instead.

This is Darren Lynn Bousman’s fourth time directing a “Saw” film. He previously directed Saw II (2005), Saw III (2006), and Saw IV (2007).

Among the Jigsaw crime board set up by Detective Banks, a picture of Obi Tate, a victim of “The Nerve Gas House” from Saw II (2005), is shown.

In order to secure an R rating, the film had to be submitted to the MPAA 11 times. All other attempts resulted in a rating of NC-17.

Chris Rock is the second actor to write and star in a “Saw” film. The first is Leigh Whannell, who co-wrote and starred in Saw (2004).

Is the second film in the series to be framed at 2.39:1. The first film to be framed in 2.39:1 was Jigsaw (2017).

Zeke’s name, as mentioned by his father Marcus (played by Samuel L. Jackson), is a shortened variant of Ezekiel; a reference to the passage Ezekiel 25:17 quoted by Jules Winnfield (also Jackson) in “Pulp Fiction” (1994).

Detective Zeke Banks, played by Chris Rock, mentions New Jack City. Chris Rock played an addict called Pookie in the film “New Jack City” (1991).

The second “Saw” film written by Pete Goldfinger and Josh Stolberg, following Jigsaw (2017).

Samuel L. Jackson (born in 1948) plays Marcus Banks, the father to Zeke Banks, the character played by Chris Rock who was born in 1965. The age difference in real life is 17 years.

The spiral is patterned after the red cheek swirls of Billy The Puppet.

Is the sixth film in the series to open with a trap.

This the second time Chris Rock has played a cop, the first being “Lethal Weapon 4” (1998).

Body count: 7.

This is the third film in the franchise where the phrase “Game Over” is not used, after Saw V (2008) and Jigsaw (2017).