FIRST WORD
Based on an idea from Saw uber-fan
Chris Rock, Spiral also stars Rock as
Detective Zeke Banks. Alongside his
rookie partner (Max Minghella), Banks
investigates a series of killings that
seem to mirror Jigsaw’s MO: elaborate
tests with life-or-death consequences.
But where Jigsaw and his many disciples
(in case you’re not up to speed, Kramer
technically died three films into the now
nine film series) went after the wicked,
this latest killer exclusively targets cops.
Though directed by series stalwart
Darren Lynn Bousman (who previously
helmed Saws 2 - 4 ), and written by
Jigsaw scribes Josh Stolberg and Pete
Goldfinger, Rock’s involvement means
the po-faced horror franchise may
finally lighten up. “A lot of times I goI
n 2010, Saw: The Final Chapter released in cinemas, bringing the fun and
games of cinema’s most sadistic horror franchise to an end. That is,
until chronologically confusing prequel/sequel Jigsaw brought John
Kramer back from the dead (sort of) in 2017. Things are only getting
more befuddling with Spiral: From The Book Of Saw, a spin-off that’s neither
sequel, prequel nor reboot. Our heads hurt already, and it’s nothing to do with
the reverse bear trap a pig-headed stranger made us wear.to a movie or watch a TV show, and I go,
‘wow, you know, two jokes would have
made a big difference in that’,” Rock
says. “I love Saw, but I was like, ‘Wow,
this has almost no humour. At all.’ So
this seemed like... good fertile ground
to just sprint.”If that sets alarm bells ringing,
Rock clarifies that “We’re not
revamping it. It’s not Scary Movie.
It’s Saw.” And that, “I’ve seen a rough
cut. It’s still so bloody, it’s gory, but
there’s a sprinkling of humour here
and there.” It’s a change of direction
that could pay creative dividends if
the success of David Gordon Green’s
Halloween is any indication. Add to that
the involvement of Samuel L. Jackson,
playing another detective caught
up in the Jigsaw investigation and
heavily rumoured to be Banks’ father,
and Spiral is anything but another
interchangeable Saw sequel.
Rock may be best known for his
comedy work, but coupled with the
upcoming fourth season of Fargo,
the beloved stand-up is making
clear dramatic in-roads. “You look
at the really good actors, and I’m not
counting myself as one of them,” a
self-deprecating Rock chuckles. “The
look does some of the acting for you.
Watch a guy like Denzel – the hair’s
always right on character. Or Jamie
Foxx. The hair, the clothes... all these
things are acting too. So the more I look
like the character and not try to play
Chris Rock, the better.” JF/ATETA | 15 MAY / SPIRAL: FROM THE BOOK OF
SAW OPENS NEXT MONTH AT TIME OF PRESS.Game On
SPIRAL FROMTHEBOOKOFSAW I Chris
Rock resurrects the franchise that just won’t die.
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GAMESRADARCOM/TOTALFILM APRIL 2020 | TOTAL FILM