Common Sense Media Review
By Jeffrey M. Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Brutal, bloody, but character-driven entry in gore series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 17+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Saw X
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 22 parent reviews
Parents say this movie is intensely graphic and not suitable for children, with many reviews emphasizing its extreme violence and gore. While some appreciate its compelling storyline and improvements over previous entries, caution is advised for younger viewers, making it clear that the content is intended for a mature audience, particularly teens.
- graphic violence
- not for children
- compelling storyline
- suitable for teens
- mixed reviews
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
Based on 28 kid reviews
Kids say that the film is extremely gory and filled with graphic violence, making it unsuitable for children and suggesting a minimum age of 13 with parental guidance. While some viewers appreciate its intense gore and disturbing traps, many warn that it can be traumatizing and is not for those weak of stomach.
- gory and violent
- not for kids
- intense horror
- graphic imagery
- suitable for teens
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In SAW X, John Kramer (Tobin Bell), the Jigsaw killer, has been diagnosed with brain cancer, and the prognosis isn't good. After some time, he runs into Henry (Michael Beach), whom he remembers from a cancer support group. Henry tried a radical new cure and has been in remission for months. So Kramer contacts Cecilia Pederson (Synnøve Macody Lund), whose father invented the new cure, a combination of a drug cocktail and surgery. After his treatment, Kramer starts to feel better. He even contemplates giving up his Jigsaw ways. But when he tries to bring a thank-you present to his helpers, he makes a shocking discovery: It was all a scam. With help from his loyal apprentice, Amanda (Shawnee Smith), Kramer assembles several new traps and a sinister new plan to make the fraudsters see the error of their ways.
Is It Any Good?
Three movies after a movie erroneously dubbed the "final chapter" in this franchise, we get a surprise: a Saw movie that's actually good (the best since the 2004 original). Director Kevin Greutert's (Saw VI, Saw 3D: The Final Chapter) Saw X begins by taking an unusual approach for this series: It focuses on the thoughts and feelings of its killer and gives star Bell the long-awaited chance to do some actual acting. While in the hospital, Kramer sees a custodian who's thinking about stealing a terminal patient's personal belongings. Kramer imagines one of his torture devices breaking the man's fingers and worse, but then the man reconsiders and puts things back. "Wise choice," says Kramer.
Kramer actually believes that he's doing good in the world by trying to get wrongdoers to see the error of their ways. He doesn't even call it revenge or retribution. He calls it a "reawakening." (He even nearly has his own reawakening, until he realizes his work isn't finished.) The traps here are as grisly as ever, but this time we pay attention to Bell's grim face, watching and waiting to see whether his work will be in vain. It helps that his relationship with Amanda seems honest, even touching. (She sobs when she realizes he's going to die.) No matter how it's phrased, Saw X is indeed about revenge, but -- given that the target here was hope itself -- this time it makes sense.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Saw X's violence. What's the impact of seeing extreme gore like the kind featured here?
What is the nature of revenge? Can it be satisfying? Why? Can it ever truly solve a problem?
What draws audiences to horror movies like this? Why have the Saw movies been so successful?
Are there lessons to be learned from Jigsaw's brand of "justice" -- that is, getting liars and criminals to admit to their crimes?
How does this movie compare to the others in the Saw franchise? Is it more of the same? Does it go in a fresh direction?
Movie Details
- In theaters : September 29, 2023
- On DVD or streaming : November 14, 2023
- Cast : Tobin Bell , Shawnee Smith , Synnove Macody Lund
- Director : Kevin Greutert
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Lionsgate
- Genre : Horror
- Run time : 118 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : sequences of grisly bloody violence and torture, language and some drug use
- Last updated : November 29, 2025
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