Our Heist Guides introduce new fans to something we think is seriously cool, and they may even provide some behind-the-scenes knowledge to longtime diehards. It's everything you need to know to plan your own heist.
Wake up from your slumber, don't let your key drop down the drain, and try not to panic as we explore the Saw franchise. The Saw franchise kicked off in 2004 with the iconic first entry, Saw, which spawned several sequels. The general fandom exists across the world and multiple platforms, and has inspired many films to play around with the death games concept.
Now, Saw is not a franchise for everyone because of the gore and blood within the later sequels — not to mention the ideas of morality and what people will do to stay alive in gruesome circumstances. Imagine waking up to find yourself in a horrific and likely deadly trap that's designed to make you mutilate yourself? Couldn't be any of us, right?
Don't be scared of Billy the Puppet — he's just trying to tell you the rules. This very gory Heist Guide will answer all of your acidic questions about this bonkers franchise, break down who is part of the Jigsquad, all the twists and turns, and why it's a shame that we might never see the return of the franchise. Keep your syringe in hand and get ready to saw off your limbs because we're diving in now.
What is the Saw franchise about?
Saw arrived on the scene in 2004 and was written by the iconic Leigh Whannell and directed by James Wan. The first film is a nonlinear story about two men stuck in a bathroom, a serial killer who puts people in traps that they either survive or don't, and a police force who can't figure out the identity of the killer. Meanwhile, the rest of the franchise follows various people being tested and the various Jigsquad (Jigsaw and his apprentices) members.
The first three films are driven by Jigsaw (John Kramer), Amanda Young (Shawnee Smith), and other characters that are either being tested or are trying to stop the deaths from happening. Much like other horror franchises, everyone is typically unsuccessful. Every film has a different focus and explores as well as exposes secrets from other characters. There's a soap opera feeling that thrums throughout, and it's a good time.
How many Saw sequels are there?
There are 9 sequels in the franchise: Saw II (2005), Saw III (2006), Saw IV (2007), Saw V (2008), Saw VI (2009), Saw 3D (2010), Jigsaw (2017), Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021), and Saw X (2023).
Like any franchise that spans 20 years, the Saw franchise doesn't unfold linearly. Saw II is set after the first film, Saw III and Saw IV take place at the same time, Jigsaw takes place before the events of Saw, and Saw X takes place between the events of Saw and Saw II. More on the Saw viewing order in a bit.
Who created Saw?
Leigh Whannell wrote the first film and James Wan directed. As far as the rest of the franchise, the directors and writers have changed a handful of times.
Saw II
Writers: Leigh Whannell and Darren Lynn Bousman
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman
Saw III
Writer: Leigh Whannell
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman
Saw IV
Writers: Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman
Saw V
Writers: Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan
Director: David Hackl
Saw VI
Writer: Kevin Greutert
Directors: Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan
Saw 3D
Writer: Kevin Greutert
Directors: Patrick Melton and Marcus Dunstan
Jigsaw
Writer: Josh Stolberg and Peter Goldfinger
Directors: The Spierig Brothers
Spiral
Writers: Josh Stolberg and Peter Goldfinger
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman
Saw X
Writers: Josh Stolberg and Peter Goldfinger
Director: Kevin Greutert
Who is Jigsaw?
The original Jigsaw is a man named John Kramer, a man with cancer who has extreme ideologies due to his illness as well as what he's suffered in life. After his wife miscarries, his failed suicide attempt, and terminal cancer, John takes it upon himself to use his profession as an engineer to craft deadly traps.
SPOILERS — Later on, Kramer's unwilling apprentice Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) takes on his mantel when both Amanda and John are murdered during the events of Saw III. From then on, he's the Jigsaw killer until Saw 3D.
Is Jigsaw a horror icon?
He's certainly up there as far as icon status. For modern horror audiences, he's the one killer that most people will recognize, especially where Billy the puppet is concerned — not to mention the voice distortion used for the tapes that victims are forced to listen to.
Which are the most popular entries in the Saw franchise?
Aside from everyone's varied taste, the most popular films in the franchise tend to be Saw, Saw II, Saw VI, and Saw X. Every Saw film has something to offer, even if the film might not be for you. For example: Jigsaw isn't a great film in the franchise, but the Buckethead Trap is really fun.
Are there any Saw spinoffs?
Not exactly.
What about Spiral?
Spiral isn't a spinoff, per se, and serves as a standalone sequel that mentions Kramer and his work as the Jigsaw killer. Otherwise it's a film that exists in the universe of Saw and tells a different story in which none of the characters from the other films make an appearance (as most of them are dead).
It would certainly be interesting if one day there was a Saw spinoff, but at this time it's not entirely likely. But imagine a new squad of Jigsaw killers setting up traps in the late 2020s and they're all fanatics? I personally think that would be a cool idea, if done correctly.
How do I watch the Saw films in chronological order and do I need to?
It's not necessary to watch the films in chronological order, but it can make for an interesting experience if you're watching for the first time. The timeline can be a tad bit confusing, therefore an explanation is typically warranted.
The chronological order is as follows:
- Jigsaw (2017)
- Saw (2004)
- Saw X (2023)
- Saw II (2005)
- Saw III (2006)
- Saw IV (2007)
- Saw V (2008)
- Saw VI (2009)
- Saw 3D (2010)
- Spiral (2021)
Again, there's no rule that says you have to watch them in chronological order and you're free to watch in the release order. But if you're trying to follow what takes place and when in the timeline, follow the above list.
Is there going to be a Saw XI?
There was initially supposed to be a Saw XI, but as of right now that's been shelved and might not see the light of day. Pre-production stopped in its tracks and there's no telling what's going to happen with it.
Fun question: are there any popular Saw ships?
There absolutely are and, if you can believe it, they're all slash ships. Of course there are m/f pairings, but the most popular ships in the fandom are slash. Some of the pairings include Chainshipping (Dr. Gordon and Adam from Saw), Shotgunshipping (Dr. Lynn and Amanda), and Coffinshipping (Hoffman and Peter Strahm).
Other slash pairings that aren't as popular but do exist: Spiralshipping (Zeke and William from Spiral), Rigg (from Saw IV) and Hoffman, Piranhashipping (William from Saw XI and John Kramer), and more. You can find megalists by visiting this.
Where can I watch this series?
I'm a big supporter of physical media because streaming isn't always a reliable source. But if you need to know where to watch each film (in the US), there's information about that below:
- Saw, Saw II, Saw III, Saw IV, Saw V, Saw VI, Saw 3D, and Jigsaw are available to rent or purchase via VOD
- Spiral is streaming on Hulu, FuboTV, and VOD
- Saw X is streaming on STARZ and VOD
Let us know your favorite Jigsaw trap over on Bluesky.
If you haven't already, consider supporting worker-owned media by subscribing to Pop Heist. We are ad-free and operating outside the algorithm, so all dollars go directly to paying the staff members and writers who make articles like this one possible.
