Saw 2 (2005) review – Why This 2005 Sequel Remains A Modern Horror Classic
Saw II: Quick Verdict
The Verdict: A confident and visceral sequel that successfully expands the Saw mythos while maintaining the series’ signature grim aesthetic. Saw II shifts the focus from a single room to a booby-trapped house, offering a larger scale and a much more substantial look at Tobin Bell’s charismatic Jigsaw. While it lacks the sheer shock value and tight innovation of the first film, it compensates with improved acting and a compelling, interconnected plot that rewards fans of the series. The traps, particularly the infamous “needle pit”, remain stomach-turning highlights, even if the interpersonal drama occasionally takes precedence over the gore. It’s a fast-paced, twisting follow-up that solidifies the franchise’s place in horror history. A solid 3.5-star watch.
Details: Director: Darren Lynn Bousman | Cast: Donnie Wahlberg, Beverley Mitchell, Tobin Bell, Shawnee Smith | Runtime: 1h 33m | Release Date: 2005
Best for: Fans of the original Saw, viewers who enjoy “high-concept” death games, and anyone who appreciates a horror movie with a massive twist ending.
Worth noting: The script for Saw II was originally an unrelated thriller titled The Desperate, which was heavily reworked to fit into the Saw universe after the first film’s success.
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime Video (Rent/Buy)🛒, Apple TV, Sky Store
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
(Gory set pieces, expanded lore, great twist)
Welcome to Knockout Horror. Today, we are heading back to 2005 for a bit of a modern horror classic in the form of the second entry into the Saw series, Saw II. We covered the first Saw movie for October of 2022 so it only seemed right to revisit the series in 2024.
Table of Contents
A modern horror classic
The Saw movies became popular way beyond anyone’s wildest dreams. Can you believe, 20 years later, that the series is still going strong? Ten movies in the bag, one in development for release next year, a bunch of comic books, a couple of video games and even a theme park ride. Saw is, quite literally, a horror phenomenon.
The crazy thing is, much like a movie we covered just a few days ago, Final Destination. From a technical standpoint, the Saw movies aren’t all that good. The movie that started it all was greeted with a pretty lukewarm critical reception and it has been downhill from there. The thing is, however, fans absolutely love them.
“It is something of a modern horror classic now and it does enough to stand as a worthy follow-up to the original movie. Awesome stuff.”
Saw is a brilliant example of how you don’t need technical perfection, or even basic proficiency, if you have a compelling idea that hooks people in. Saw‘s fascinating and creative traps, its charismatic villain Jigsaw, and its twisting and turning interconnected plot keeps people coming back for more. Sure, the appeal has waned a bit in recent years, but these are still watchable movies and to listen to critics telling you that they are bad would be doing them a disservice.
It’s more of the same
Saw II is more of the same thing people loved from the first movie. Set inside a derelict house, the plot follows a group of people with one thing in common. All forced to play a game of life and death. A nerve agent has been released into the house and the group have two hours to find antidotes before they will die. They can either work together and follow the rules or try to go it alone and suffer the consequences.
There are various macabre games placed around the house that the group have to partake in to retrieve the antidotes. And the entire thing is being watched by police who have found the location of the notorious Jigsaw. It’s a simple concept and it works brilliantly. Saw II is tense, atmospheric, and never lets up for its entire run time.
Fiendish traps play centre stage to really make you grimace and the frayed relationship of the group helps build up the tension. You never quite know when things are going to explode and what will happen when they do. This is a collection of very different individuals who clash frequently making for some very interesting scenarios and interactions.
The traps are still the highlight
Saw II shares more than a few things in common with its predecessor but the main attraction is still the traps. Much like the devilish set pieces in the aforementioned Final Destination series. Saw‘s main hook is the creative ways the writers have found to torture the movie’s cast. The traps are the undoubted highlight of the movies and Saw II is no exception.
“What’s here is suitably horrifying. A game involving a pit filled with syringes may be one of the most toe-curling in the entire series.”
The somewhat disappointing thing here is that the traps take something of a back seat to the interpersonal relationships and rough character dynamics. There is a distinct lack of innovation here when compared to its predecessor. A couple of moments will still have you wincing but watching the second movie back, it is clear that it took a while for the traps to become the main focus.
Still, what’s here is suitably horrifying. A game involving a pit filled with syringes may be one of the most toe curling in the entire series. And a relatively simple looking device proves to offer a horrific fate for one character who just needed to think a little longer before jumping in with both hands. Saw II is a lot more straightforward and a bit less creative than the previous movie. With that being said, it still has its moments. The gore and brutality is still there, it just feels a little less focused.
Surprisingly story heavy
Saw II is far more concerned with telling a story than grossing the viewer out. We see a hell of a lot more of Jigsaw here and his interactions with one specific character act as the backbone of the film. Indeed, said character is the entire motivation behind why this game is happening. So it remains interesting throughout to see how it all links together.
When the ending comes, it is with typical Saw fanfare and another reveal designed to keep people looking forward to the next film. Saw II is a more intelligent movie than the first one but that comes at a price.
“Saw II is far more concerned with telling a story than grossing the viewer out. We see a hell of a lot more of Jigsaw here and his interactions act as the backbone of the film.”
Acting is a lot better here than it was in the original but the story is less interesting. The novelty of the setup and the situation itself has worn off a bit. An idea like this can only stay original for so long. I think some people will find the chaotic mix of characters difficult to relate to and a bit more loose and messy than the tight cast of the original.
It’s not as intriguing and simply not as interesting. Saw‘s huge, mind blowing, reveal pressed for the second movie to follow suit. While it makes a nice attempt, there are less revelations, as a whole.
The lack of traps is a disappointment. The general idea of characters moving from room to room, relatively freely, is not as compelling. The fact that the characters don’t have to engage with the traps and games makes for a somewhat disappointing outcome.
The camera work is often chaotic and a bit hyperactive. It can feel a bit cheesy and cheap, at times. The script is pretty awful, as well. Again, this isn’t a technically brilliant movie. It is, simply, a movie to switch off your brain to and just enjoy.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly
The Good
- Tobin Bell: Bell is magnetic as Jigsaw. His calm, philosophical delivery provides a perfect contrast to the frantic chaos occurring in the house.
- The Needle Pit: One of the most visceral and memorable practical effects sequences in modern horror history that still makes audiences wince.
- Interconnected Plot: The film does an excellent job of weaving the first movie’s threads into a much larger, and more complex, narrative tapestry.
The Bad
- Chaotic Camerawork: The hyperactive, fast-cut editing style can be quite distracting and occasionally gives the film a cheap, dated feel.
- Weak Dialogue: The script is often clunky and riddled with tropes, with character decisions that frequently defy any form of logic.
- Secondary Role for Traps: Unlike later entries, the traps here often feel like an afterthought compared to the bickering of the ensemble cast.
The Ugly: The Hand Trap. A simple but horrific example of Jigsaw’s cruelty, showing how a lack of patience leads to a truly gruesome and irreversible fate.
Should You Watch Saw II?
Yes, absolutely. It’s a solid 3.5-star horror hit that manages to expand on the original’s success without losing its soul. While it isn’t a technical masterpiece, it’s a fun, brutal, and rewarding experience for genre fans.
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Our Scoring Philosophy: A Fair Fight
Horror is a genre that thrives thanks to indie film makers and low budget creators. At Knockout Horror, we firmly believe that every movie that we review deserves a fair fight. That's why we grade on a curve. Our star ratings are all about context, judging a film on what it achieves with the resources it has.
A 4-star rating for a scrappy indie horror made for $10,000 is a testament to its ingenuity and raw power. A 4-star rating for a $100 million blockbuster means it delivered on its epic promises. We don't compare them side-by-side; we celebrate success in every weight class, from the back-alley brawler to the heavyweight champion. Please keep this in mind when considering star ratings.
