3.5 out of 5 stars
Horror fans were first introduced to the Saw Universe in 2004. Then we experienced the final chapter over a decade ago. Yet, it left many yearning for more and this latest movie reintroduces people to this torture and revenge narrative. Even though it is not a direct sequel to the earlier films, Spiral will satisfy all who embraced this brutal realm of gore.
Chris Rock takes on the role of police detective Zeke Banks who is caught up in an investigation of the murder of his best friend and work colleague. The crime investigator is not popular amongst his precinct. He is a whistleblower and reported his former corrupt partner while he was a rookie cop. As he does all he can to work in a problematic work atmosphere, things get even more challenging when paired up with a new junior detective, William Schenk (Max Minghella).
Together the unlikely pair must try to find out the identity of the police serial killer. They realise that the recent murderer is inspired by the central character in the Saw franchise, Jigsaw. This means that like any self-respecting horror film, the body count begins to rise amongst the police force. After each calculated and deliberate killing, things subsequently come down to the confrontation between Zeke and the newest mass murderer and potential reignition of the Spiral franchise. The whole thing moves along at a frenetic pace and ends with a massive twist but then closes abruptly, leaving audiences with an insatiable desire for more.
Even though this is a project for the fans of the horror series. It is not necessary to have seen any of the Saw movies to understand this storyline. However, avid fans will quickly pick up the Easter egg nods to the original film. As horror films go, this one ticks all the right boxes. For those looking for tension, suspense, blood, gore and a series of death scenes that provide those essential ‘look away’ moments, this one is for you. For those who may wonder, it is disturbing to think how writers come up with new and imaginative ways to kill off victims in these films. Some could say that it is quite clever given the context of the prey of these killers and what they must do to set up their eventual demise.
Chris Rock puts in a strong performance as the mistreated and misunderstood detective. The celebrated comedian does get the opportunity to get in his snappy one-liners and witty barbs in the early stages of the film. All before his character moves into the serious business of chasing down the killer. His performance is complemented by Samuel L. Jackson’s (Avengers: Endgame) appearance as Rock’s on-screen father and retired Police Chief. He manages to get in some hilarious dialogue when he is first introduced. As expected, with the genre and Chris Rock as the lead, the language is as brutal as most death scenes.
This will fill the needs of every fan of Jigsaw and Saw or are not averse to horror films with graphic depictions and brutal death scenes. Spiral is a crime thriller at its core and it could be compared to the Se7en, even though it fails to measure up to David Fincher’s classic.
REEL DIALOGUE: Vengeance or Justice?
Serial killers are sometimes depicted in movies as psychopaths who enjoy killing. Still, at other times they are portrayed as individuals who have a clear motive or objective. One of the driving reasons behind their deeds is motivated by revenge. They want to repay the victim for committing a misdeed that they see as warranting death. An act that is met at the hands of the killer rather than allowing the judicial system do its work. We can sympathise in that regard as sometimes we think that a perpetrator has committed so grievous a crime that death is the fitting punishment.
To a lesser degree, what would you do if you are wronged? Do you cry for vengeance or justice? What if we commit wrong – what do we deserve? How about if your actions are against others or even God? What should our punishment be?
God has made it clear in the Bible that we are facing His judgment for the sin of rejecting His authority in our lives. We choose to live by our own rules rather than obey God. Thankfully though, God in His grace and mercy has decided that we can be saved from that fate through Jesus dying on the cross for our sins – all we need to do is place our trust in Jesus as the Saviour who has died in our place and then follow Him as Lord.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:6-8
