Courtesy of Lionsgate

From a low-budget horror film to a billion-dollar franchise that redefined the genre, “Saw” revolutionized horror cinema with its moral dilemmas and infamous torture traps. Now, 20 years after its release, “Saw” is back in theaters to celebrate this milestone. Along with the film being re-released, the original cast and crew have reunited to participate in film festivals, red carpet events and premieres that further commemorate the film’s success. This horror film has continued to play a role in popular culture, making the creators ever grateful for the career and status it has given them. 

The 2004 horror crime film centers around a game set up by the Jigsaw Killer. Two men, Dr. Gordon and Adam, wake up chained in a filthy bathroom with a dead body between them. By listening to recorded messages, they learn they are players in a sick and twisted game. The doctor must kill Adam within eight hours or his family dies. Various flashbacks show Jigsaw’s previous victims revealing they have been chosen for not appreciating life and being put through these tests makes them realize what they take for granted. 

The director and writers of the film, James Wan and Leigh Whannell, had just graduated from film school when they came up with the idea for “Saw.” After completing the script,they created a short film to accompany it, allowing film companies to fully understand their vision and pitch. 

This short film proved to be the reason Lionsgate greenlit “Saw.” One of the producers who watched it was amazed at not only the short film but also the creator’s dedication to their idea. Whannell explains that this strategy of pitching was “creating opportunity instead of waiting for it.” Once the film was approved, they needed to seek out actors. To this day, the actors in the film claim that they were willing to work on this project after being pulled in by its impressive script and the compelling story it told. With Tobin Bell, the actor for Jigsaw, calling it a “layered story” with writing that “can’t be mimicked.” Additionally, Cary Elwes, who plays Dr. Gordon, shared that he believes this film still holds up because “the story and the characters resonate with the audience.” “Saw” might not have been made without the passion for their story and their confidence to share it. 

With a budget of only $1 million, “Saw” grossed $100 million worldwide, a success that led to nine more movies being made in the franchise. Going from a low-budget film to a mega-successful franchise raises the question: How has “Saw” remained relevant after all these years? There are multiple answers.  

To start off, the film’s aesthetics are typical of the early 2000s horror genre, with a constant use of blue and green filters, often reflecting the visuals of metal music videos of the era. And the avant-garde editing techniques do not go unnoticed — the most notable being frequent montages and scene overlays to emphasize the intensity of the plot. This pairs well with the non-linear structure, allowing the viewer to piece the story together as the film progresses. 

The traps in the movie are also praised for their creativity. The reverse bear trap is the most popular one but others are just as original — victims are forced to go through a barbed wire maze while covered in gasoline, their only source of light being a flame-lit candle. The iconic bathroom trap where the two individuals are chained is also a unique way of tyrannizing victims. 

The most famous character of the movie, Billy the Puppet, is widely regarded as the mascot of the film. Small, sinister and incredibly creepy, the puppet is used by John Kramer, the main antagonist of the film, as his messenger to talk with his entrapped victims. Being the face of the Jigsaw Killer, Billy has become a loveable and recognizable character. 

After countless interviews and Q&A panels, Wan and Whannell have come to the same conclusion on why “Saw” is so popular: its theme. Whannell shares from his experiences meeting fans that they keep coming back to “the theme of appreciating your life and going through a test, coming out the other side a better person.” This sentiment is what sets “Saw” apart from other movies in its genre. It isn’t just a horror film — it’s a horror film with meaning and morality. The core theme of “Saw” is learning to appreciate life through extreme circumstances. 

From a short film created by film school graduates to a global phenomenon that redefined the horror genre, “Saw”’s mark on cinema has continued to prosper since its 2004 release. Now 20 years later, Saw remains proof that a small, passionate project can grow to be a staple in popular culture that still captivates audiences worldwide.