The Saw Scene That Went Too Far
Nothing inspires the masses to be the best, most grateful versions of themselves quite like the terror-inducing "Saw" films. The franchise has been preying on the human fear of mortality since 2004 when director James Wan and writer Leigh Whannell created the first installment of "Saw," inspired by a short film the two made. The movie is Wan's full-length, solo directing debut, and it has gone on to win numerous awards and solidify its place in the world of horror with gruesome and creative death scenes. Its legendary villain has become an icon in the world of scary movies.
Viewers now are quite familiar with the "Saw" films and their uncanny ability to make the viewer's skin crawl and then leaving them wanting more. Nothing beats an original, though, and the first film stands the test of time in terms of originality, plot twists, and shock value.
While the entire 103 minutes are filled with delightfully unexpected plot twists and intriguingly difficult to watch imagery, there is one scene that arguably went too far, even for the average horror-obsessed viewer.
The ending of Saw is unlike any other
When Adam Faulkner-Stanheight (Leigh Whannell) and Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes) wake up to discover they've been locked in a dingy, unfamiliar bathroom, complete with a strange dead body, they panic. Still, the worst isn't over. "Saw" is filled with surprises and suspense, but the most shocking scene happens at the very end.
When the blood-bathed bathroom in which most of the movie takes place seems to be full of corpses, aside from Adam, who is still chained to a pipe, one last surprise awaits. Upon listening to the tape recorder belonging to Zep Hindle (Michael Emerson), who the men assumed was the killer, Adam learns that he was merely another part of the game.
As Adam listens in shock, the corpse in the middle of the room begins to rise from the ground. It is revealed that this unexpectedly alive corpse is none other than the true mastermind and killer, Jigsaw (Tobin Bell). The killer then exits the bathroom, leaving a screaming Adam forever locked inside, a twist ending that still has viewers reeling. Reddit user u/unknown_wizard2183 said: "do you think the ending of the first movie was more disturbing than any of the traps? In my opinion yes...". With u/Everson454 agreeing on the same post, "Adam didn't deserve that ending."
As u/Gamingtatertot added, "The ending blew me away. Combination of the reveal, the editing, and the music was just insane." So while the end scene may have shaken up some fans beyond their usual expectations, as far as creative and mind-blowing endings go, "Saw" definitely takes the cake.