Saw

2004 Horror

The directorial debut from filmmaker James Wan, this psychological thriller comes from the first screenplay by actor Leigh Whannell, who also stars. Whannell plays Adam, one of two men chained up in a mysterious chamber. The other, Dr. Gordon (Cary Elwes), like Adam, has no idea how either of them got there. Neither of them are led to feel optimistic by the man lying between them dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Together, Adam and Dr. Gordon attempt to piece together what has happened to them and who the sadistic madman behind their imprisonment is. Also starring Danny Glover and Monica Potter, Saw premiered at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.

Director: James Wan

Starring: Leigh Whannell, Cary Elwes,Danny Glover, Ken Leung, Dina Meyer

 31 Reviews  10 Awards

Reviews

  • The slasher scenes, though relatively few, are amazingly evocative for such a low-budget movie.

    Carla Meyer - The San Francisco Chronicle

    27 April 2013

  • Wan's tense, grisly cinematic morsel won't go down easy. But once it hits bottom, Saw is oddly satisfying, though the gag reflex never entirely goes away.

    Robert K. Elder - The Chicago Tribune

    27 April 2013

  • Horror fans will find plenty to shriek about. Everyone else should keep their distance.

    David Sterritt - Christian Science Monitor

    27 April 2013

  • Boasts an undeniably original premise and clever plot machinations that lift it several notches above the usual slasher film level.

    Frank Scheck - The Hollywood Reporter

    27 April 2013

  • Saw is a gristle-cut B psycho thriller that would like to tap the sickest corners of your imagination. It has a few moments of nightmare creepiness, but it's also derivative and messy and too nonsensical for its own good.

    Owen Gleiberman - Entertainment Weekly

    27 April 2013

Awards

  • Best DVD Special Edition Release

    Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (2006)

     

  • James Wan

    Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film (2005)

  • Best Wide-Release Film

    Fangoria Chainsaw Awards (2005)

  • Best Film

    Fantasporto (2005)

     

  • Best Horror

    Golden Trailer Awards (2005)

     

Lists

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