The ninth Saw installment, Spiral, has helped the franchise earn over one billion in the box office.
Earning $4.5 million US dollars, and $2.67 million overseas, this weekend saw Spiral join the ranks of Saw success stories. In a rare occurrence, this weekend sees Spiral become the first of the Saw franchise to top the box office on its second of a ten week run.
Starring Chris Rock and Samuel L Jackson, the latest installment follows the police as they search for a copycat killer. The killer is setting traps for his victims, the same way the original Jigsaw killer did. It focuses on Detective Ezekial ‘Zeke’ Banks and his new partner. As the investigation continues, it isn’t long before Zeke is thrown into the killers game.
Since its release in 2004, Saw has become one of the most successful horror movie franchises in history. In 2010, it entered the Guinness Book of Records. With the exception of Saw VI, every single Saw movie has surpassed $100 million in sales across the world – it looks like Spiral will follow this trend.
What makes horror movies like Spiral so special?
A film distribution expert at Birmingham City University, Robert McLaughlin, says the popularity is intriguing. Although the Saw franchise has a relatively small production value of $20 million, the 1980’s feel to the movie taps into the nostalgic feel of old school horror films. This also explains the consistent return of Freddy Kruger films.
Saw has become part of a “horror movie canon”. Franchise merchandise such as tshirts, comics are sold in major retailers. The budget horror has strong influences running as deep as film makers, creatives, wrestlers and musicians.
Despite being a hit with fans, the new movie has divided critics. Reviewer for the Guardian, Benjamin Lee, describes the new installment as “tortuously bad”. The Hollywood Reporter Lovia Gyarkye is torn as the film is “legitimately frightening” but “unevenly paced”.
After being delayed for a year due to Covid, Spiral is now available in major cinema screens.
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