Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman
Starring Chris Rock, Max Minghella, Samuel L. Jackson and Marisol Nichols

You know it’s been a pretty average movie when by the very end of it, the highlight moment was hearing Samuel L. Jackson proclaim “Do you want to play games, mother f***er’!?”

To be fair, Spiral: From the Book of Saw is a definite improvement on the dreadful reboot Jigsaw and is arguably a bit better than the third or fourth Saw film, which is where I gave up on the franchise (until Jigsaw). This ninth instalment in the series won’t be the last of them either, with Saw X confirmed to be in development as of last month. Sigh.

So what works well in Spiral? The curious casting of comedic actor Chris Rock, who also serves as executive producer, and his on-screen pairing with the star of hit TV series The Handmaid’s Tale, Max Minghella. Rock blends some of his well-known style of humour and off-the-cuff jokes into his performance of a cynical and scarred detective who is forced to partner up with a rookie detective (Minghella) on a new case. All of this works favourably enough for the film. Their very first case is much closer to home than either of them expect; a cop from their division falls victim to a very grisly murder that is textbook Jigsaw in its elaborateness and clues. In no time at all, it becomes worryingly obvious that not only is this police department dealing with a copycat killer, but that they are the targets.

Another actor that gives Spiral a lift is Samuel L. Jackson, playing the father of Detective Ezekiel “Zeke” Banks (Chris Rock), who used to work at the very same police department. Despite his welcome presence, Rock’s comical touch and the solid pacing of the film, none of these additions or qualities are enough to earn it a pass mark or complement its very graphic and violent content (heed that R18+ classification, people). Director Darren Lynn Bousman’s execution accentuates the brutality and detail of each victim’s mauling to their death, even when the grisly details of their untimely demise serves no other purpose than just that. To be worthy of viewing and recommendation to a broader audience, Spiral needed to psychologically engage. To play some games of the mind too, rather than just the sadistic entrapment’s that might be fresh inventions here, but make this genre feel so very expired. Not to mention the entire film is extremely predictable too, except for a neat final twist. 

Spiral is showing in cinemas across Australia from May 13.

Moviedoc thanks Studiocanal for the invitation to the screening of this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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