Saw has returned! Tobin Bell is back as the famed serial killer and Saw X will explore events that took place before his infamous death in Saw III. The franchise burst onto the scene in 2004; Which means Saw has been in the mainstream for nearly 20 years. Admittedly, the series is overly convoluted, though that’s the charm of the ongoing saga. However, the bread and butter for Saw is their traps.
You simply can’t have a Saw film without the traps. There’s certainly no shortage of them in the past nine films. This list will narrow down the five best traps from Saw to Spiral. Which traps stand out as the franchise’s best? These five brought the combination of tension, drama, and sweet, sweet gore. Let’s get started with the first trap.
Bed Ripper Trap (Saw IV)
One of the more underrated traps since Saw IV isn’t highly regarded as one of the best of the series. However, the clever thing about Jigsaw traps is the psychology behind them. The drama and tension that builds for any of Jigsaw’s victims to sacrifice something vital to live creates an uneasy and unnerving feeling.
The franchise is usually about sadistic criminals misunderstanding the true meaning of life. In the case of Ivan Landsness, a serial rapist, there was a sick thrill in watching him suffer due to all of the pain he’s caused overall. The trap itself is simplistic, but it’s one of the gorier traps in Saw. Seeing this sick bastard getting what he deserves in the end is equally satisfying. There’s nothing pretty about the bedroom trap: It’s graphic and gory, but the methods used for the trap and the cleverness behind it make it stand out in a big way.
Reverse Bear Trap (Saw, Saw: The Final Chapter)
Jill’s death in Saw: The Final Chapter was unwarranted. Still, that doesn’t mean the final result of the Reverse Bear Trap wasn’t cool. The moment it was introduced in the Saw instantly made it iconic. Amanda is forced to unknowingly kill an innocent man to find the key to escape highlighted just how creative the Saw franchise is.
Characters are put in dangerous situations and are forced to make life-changing decisions to save themselves. Moments like these reveal a man/woman’s true character and this iconic trap brought out the complex meaning behind Jigsaw’s message. Plus, the result of Jill’s death was beautifully grotesque.
The Rack (Saw III)
An unforgettable trap for numerous reasons. Saw III is arguably the most emotionally charged entry in the series. It followed a father who wanted vengeance for the man who accidentally killed his son. The drama of whether Jeff would do the right thing and save Timothy Young was the crux of the entire situation. The acting was pretty strong here from both Jeff and Tim; the way the writers yo-yo’s with the audience’s emotions was one of Saw‘s finer moments.
Of course, the trap is the star here. Watching Timothy’s limps being twisted like a pretzel slowly was pure agony because Timothy didn’t seem like a bad guy. Plus, The Rack was a brutal trap and the practical effects used were top-notch. Saw III had a range of strong traps, but this easily blew them away as the best.
Shotgun Carousel (Saw VI)
Saw VI felt like a return to form for the series. The story had a meaningful purpose and the traps played a huge part in the message Jigsaw was trying to convey. The purpose of the shotgun carousel was to showcase how unfair John’s policy was. It was a biting exercise in trying to understand what William was thinking, and which two he would save overall.
The last choice wasn’t too hard to figure out, but the final death was a powerful one. Josh realizing that he’s a dead man is heartbreaking, and it puts an end to an overall chaotic whirlwind of a trap. Again, the Shotgun Carousel is a simple trap, but all the dramatic elements including relationships between the employees and William, to the brutal shotgun blast that kills everyone instantly, it’s a thrill ride from beginning to end.
Cycle Trap (Jigsaw)
An innovative trap for the franchise. Jigsaw updated the look to a modern audience and this is the best-looking film in the franchise thus far. The Cycle Trap is essentially a giant blender, but it’s still cool to watch nevertheless. Jigsaw is a solid return for the series, though it gets confused and too convoluted for its own good. The traps are okay overall, but the cycle stands out as one of the best in the series thus far.
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