REVIEW

First ‘SPIRAL’ Trailer Reboots the ‘SAW’ Franchise With Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson

By Matt Oakes · February 5, 2020

In 2010, Saw VII was touted as “The Final Chapter” only for a Jigsaw movie to emerge 7 years later. As the Iron Islanders say, what is dead may never die and in 2020, a franchise twice put to bed reemerges once more to concoct elaborate death machines. In the sparse first look at Spiral, Chris Rock plays a detective joined by a rookie partner played by Max Minghella. Playing Rock’s father, Samuel L Jackson pops in to say “motherfucker” because Sam Jackson’s gotta Sam Jackson. Spiral looks to direct the grudge and gore a different direction this go-around the circular saw, with the intended target (at least in this first glimpse) to be police officers rather than people who have bungled up their lives in the eyes of a deranged cancer patient. Could make for an interesting fresh take or could be yet another rehash of mindless torture porn.

Before getting too pumped up on the Chris Rock Saw reboot, take a moment to consider some of the talent involved. I wouldn’t call it particularly promising that Darren Lynn Bousman is back behind the director’s chair, having helmed Saw 2-4 and then churned out a handful of direct-to-discount-bin scarers while writer Josh Stolberg has the embarrassment of being attached to The Hungover Games. I’m at least willing to give Spiral the benefit of the doubt but with everything we’re seeing here, would not be the least bit surprised if it just ended up being yet another eye-rolling Saw flick.

Take a look at the trailer below and sound off on your own thoughts.