A bloody, repugnant world that will offend all but hard-core horror fans.
Comment
10/29/04
Saw (2004)
47
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:158
Fresh:74
Rotten:84
Average Rating:5.4/10
Consensus: A twisted and gory horror film that's not for the squeamish.
Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins
Genre: Horror/Suspense
Synopsis: How far would you go to save your own life? Prepare yourself for a gut-wrenching trip into the heart of terror with SAW, Lions Gate Films’ gripping horror film starring Cary Elwes, Danny Glover,... [More]
Starring: Cary Elwes, Leigh Whannell, Monica Potter, Danny Glover
Director: James Wan
Reviews for Saw
Overstuffed, over-wrought, and over-crazed.
10/29/04
A derivative combination of Seven and Fear Factor, and a work of cynical corporate-style branding posing as independent hustle.
10/29/04
Neither a deep, psychological thriller nor a mindless slasher flick, this is one skillfully made, if admittedly superficial, creepout.
10/29/04
What makes Saw so awful is that it starts with a clever premise and then completely blows it.
10/29/04
Saw is a lesson in the redemptive power of a clever ending, how five minutes of inspiration can compensate for an hour and a half of mediocrity.
10/29/04
There are a few cheap thrills, but not enough to make sitting through the senseless plot even remotely worthwhile.
10/29/04
A gore movie with no teeth.
10/29/04
Where Seven seemed to radiate diabolical evil, Saw just radiates idiocy.
10/29/04
Some have suggested that this is an intentional genre parody, but it's really the same old saw with uglier teeth.
10/29/04
For most of its running time, Saw is a cleverly mounted brain teaser that relies less on gore than on mystery and growing panic.
10/29/04
Clever but hardly original.
10/29/04
For horror fans, the movie kicks butt.
10/29/04
Its hellish extremes more oppressive than entertaining.
10/29/04
Inventive, but ultimately flawed, film.
10/29/04
Movies like this exist only so filmmakers can mess with the viewer's mind, and moviegoers who allow it engage in tawdry masochism. * *
10/29/04
Horrible acting aside, it's the kind of Halloween treat that'll have you checking your backseat after leaving the theater.
10/29/04
Top CriticJust another grisly puzzle with no agenda except to convince us that hell would look pretty good after spending almost two hours in this hole.
10/29/04
This gimmicky serial-killer thriller is pretty laughable, despite the gruesome subject matter and its graphic, often nauseating gore.
10/29/04
Has plenty of edge-of-the-seat thrills and some sick and twisted memorable moments, but wait to rent it.
10/29/04
Latest News for Saw
October 15, 2009:
See Saw with Alex, Day 1: Saw
Click. Stop. Movie's over. Just saw Saw and, you know what, I'm actually looking forward to these movies supposedly becoming terrible because Saw the first remains an involving,... More...
October 12, 2009:
Get Ready to See Saw with Alex
If it's Halloween, then it must be time for a new Saw. And if it's a new Saw, then it must be time to start up another Rotten Tomatoes trademark watching series. Come, join me... More...
May 08, 2008:
Saw Director Cutting into Hellraiser Franchise? 
Even though the director of SAW II-IV claims to have nothing to do with the project, insiders tell us the Weinsteins WANT HIM on the project ASAP. More...
March 13, 2008:
Charlie Sheen Getting Twisted in Next Film
When you see the words "Charlie Sheen" and "torture" in the same sentence, you probably assume you're reading about Sheen career achievements like Terminal Velocity or The... More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Fresh Links
Featured
RT on YouTube
Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.
RT on Twitter
Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.
IGN RSS Feeds