‘A bit like meditation’: why Saw is my feelgood movie

The 'Saw' film franchise, renowned for its graphic violence and elaborate, often gruesome, "torture porn" scenarios, has unexpectedly become a source of comfort and enjoyment for a writer, challenging conventional definitions of feel-good cinema. This personal reflection chronicles a journey from early childhood apprehension to adolescent fascination and, ultimately, adult appreciation for the series. The writer recounts a recent pet-sitting experience where they significantly altered the family's typical viewing habits, which included children's show "Bluey" and the popular sitcom "The Office," by orchestrating a complete marathon of the 'Saw' films. This extensive viewing included "Saw I," "Saw II," "Saw III," "Saw IV," "Saw V," "Saw VI," "Saw 3D," "Saw Spiral," "Saw Jigsaw," and their current favorite installment, "Saw X." The writer's initial engagement with the franchise began at a young age, around 11 years old, when the distinctive Jigsaw puppets, a recurring motif in the films, became popular Halloween costumes. During this period, the writer admits to experiencing considerable anxiety, developing a fear that the fictional antagonist, Jigsaw, might abduct them, a fear amplified by intrusive thoughts. By the age of 13, this initial fear had transformed into a detailed and avid study of each film on Wikipedia. This research involved meticulously reading about the intricate traps depicted in the movies, a process undertaken with a palpable mixture of terror and burgeoning excitement. The pivotal moment for actively experiencing the films, rather than just researching them, occurred at the age of 14. This coincided with the writer's first experience consuming alcohol, specifically a can of Stella Artois, a Belgian pilsner known for its widespread availability. This newfound maturity and perhaps a touch of Dutch courage led them to seek out "Saw II" on YouTube, which they watched in 12 separate installments. The writer vividly describes this initial viewing experience as "utterly horrifying" yet, paradoxically, "so much fun." The enduring appeal of the 'Saw' franchise, according to the writer, lies in its unique and potent blend of extreme gore and compelling, albeit dark, narrative structures. They liken this immersive experience to a form of "meditation," suggesting that the intricate puzzle-like nature of the traps and the high stakes involved provide a unique form of mental engagement. This perspective reframes the typically disturbing content as a source of catharsis and deeply engaging entertainment, a significant departure from the common understanding of comfort films, which are usually associated with lightheartedness or emotional soothing. The series' remarkable longevity, encompassing ten main installments and a spin-off film, underscores its persistent cultural presence and the dedicated, albeit niche, fanbase it has successfully cultivated over the years. This fanbase now proudly includes the author of this personal essay, who finds solace and enjoyment in the franchise's distinctive brand of horror.