What began with the grimy, low-budget original expanded into a complex web of plot twists and turns that audiences never saw coming. For those revisiting it a second time, it’ll serve as a handy refresher leading into Spiral. First-time watchers will get a good idea of what the franchise is about, without diving into the hows and whys. Watching the Saw movies in chronological order is a good way to enjoy the series as a newbie. (Image credit: Lionsgate) Saw movies in release order Without spoiling the movie if you haven't seen it yet, Spiral takes place years after the previous Saw movies. It’s his apprentice, Logan, who survived the barn trap that’s actually carrying out the game. Present day: Surprise! The main story of the detectives trying to locate the Jigsaw killer takes place ten years after Saw III. Gordon cauterizes the wound and is enlisted by Kramer to be another apprentice. Gordon.įlashbacks: In a jump all the way back to Saw, we learn that shortly after he saws his foot off, Dr. The main game involves Bobby Dagen (Sean Patrick Flanery), a man who lied about surviving a Jigsaw trap to garner fame. Present day: A few weeks after the events of Saw VI, Jill and Hoffman battle it out to take control of Jigsaw's legacy. Hoffman used this information to blackmail Amanda into carrying out her game in Saw III. We learn that Amanda was partially to blame for the miscarriage. Under instruction from her husband, Jill puts Hoffman in a bear trap, which he survives.įlashbacks: Kramer asks Easton to fund an experimental therapy for his tumor that may save his life. Present day: A few days after the events of Saw V, Hoffman starts a new game that involves health insurance executive CEO William Easton. Kramer finds out and enlists Hoffman to help his mission. We learn it's Hoffman who created the trap for Seth Baxter at the start of Saw V to appear like a Jigsaw killing, as Baxter murdered his sister. Jill receives instructions from her dead ex-husband.įlashbacks: The media frenzy surrounding Jigsaw leads to a copycat killer in the shape of Detective Hoffman. Present day: With Kramer dead, a new murderer begins a series of traps that resemble Jigsaw’s old games. Kramer sets his first trap for Cecil, cutting out a piece of his skin shaped like a puzzle piece, leading to his nickname, the Jigsaw killer. They each follow games carried out by two of Kramer’s minions: Amanda Young and Detective Hoffman.įlashbacks: In Saw IV we learn the motivation for Kramer’s entire scheme when his wife Jill miscarries as a result of the actions of Cecil Adams. Present day: In the franchise’s first big twist, it’s revealed that both films happen six months after the events of Saw II at the same time. Gordon diagnoses Kramer with an inoperable tumor. His rebirth inspires him to teach others the feeling of “instant rehabilitation” and so begins his work to help others.ĭr. But there’s another game underway with eight people including Matthews’ son Daniel and Kramer’s undercover apprentice, Amanda.įlashbacks: After his wife Jill leaves him, Kramer tries to commit suicide but fails. Present day: One year after the events of Saw, Detective Eric Matthews (Donnie Wahlberg) apprehends Kramer. Kramer takes a cocktail of meds to slow his vitals, and lies in the underground room. His apprentice Amanda Young (Shawnee Smith) kidnaps both of them. There’s a dead body in the room.įlashbacks: Detective Tapp hires photographer Adam Stanheight to spy on Dr. Laurence Gordon (Cary Elwes) and Adam Stanheight (Leigh Whannell) both wake up chained up in an underground room. One of the survivors of this game, Logan, goes on to become one of Kramer’s apprentices. This is the very first set ‘game’ by John (although not his first trap). Five people wake up in a barn wearing Bucket Head Traps. A portion of the story in Jigsaw takes place years before Saw.

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