Saw 1 Ending Explained, Plot Twist, Cast and Trailer
by Rubaditsha
Updated Aug 05, 2023
Saw 1 (2004 film)
Saw is a 2004 American horror film directed by James Wan, marking his debut as a feature director. The screenplay was written by Leigh Whannell, based on a story co-created with Wan. The movie stars Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter, Michael Emerson, Ken Leung, and Leigh Whannell himself.
The film's plot follows a non-linear narrative, centered around the enigmatic Jigsaw Killer, who subjects his victims to deadly "games," challenging their will to survive by forcing them to endure excruciating physical pain. The main storyline revolves around Jigsaw's latest captives, played by Whannell and Elwes, who wakes up in an old, rundown bathroom. They are presented with a horrifying ultimatum: one must kill the other to save his own family.
Originally written in 2001, the film faced challenges in getting produced in Australia, leading the creators to travel to Los Angeles. To attract producers, they shot a low-budget short film based on a scene from the script, which ultimately secured the attention of Evolution Entertainment and led to the movie's production under the horror genre label, Twisted Pictures. Saw was made on a modest budget and filmed in just 18 days.
After premiering at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, the movie was released in North America on October 29, 2004, by Lionsgate. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, it achieved significant commercial success, grossing $103.9 million worldwide, solidifying its status as one of the most profitable horror films since "Scream" (1996).
To commemorate its tenth anniversary, Saw was re-released in select theaters on October 31, 2014. The film's success spawned several sequels, with "Saw X" scheduled for release in September 2023.
Saw 1 Ending Explained
In the first Saw movie, the story revolves around two main characters, Adam Stanheight (played by Leigh Whannell) and Dr. Lawrence Gordon (played by Cary Elwes). They find themselves trapped in a grimy, abandoned bathroom, each with one of their ankles shackled to a pipe. As they try to figure out how they got there and why, they discover clues left by their captor, the infamous Jigsaw Killer, John Kramer (played by Tobin Bell).
Throughout the film, we are shown flashbacks of Jigsaw's previous victims and his modus operandi. Jigsaw is not your typical horror movie killer; instead, he is a highly intelligent and deranged individual who believes he is "teaching" people valuable life lessons through his sadistic games. His motivation is to make people appreciate life, as he himself has faced death due to a terminal illness.
As Adam and Dr. Gordon search for a way out, they also come across a lifeless body lying on the floor in the bathroom. As the tension builds, we come to believe that this might be the body of their captor, Jigsaw. The two men eventually find a bag containing two hacksaws, which they believe could be their ticket to freedom.
The twist ending occurs when the lifeless body on the floor suddenly springs to life, revealing himself to be Jigsaw. This shocking revelation catches both the characters and the audience off guard. The real horror sets in when Jigsaw begins to explain the rules of their "game."
Jigsaw informs Adam and Dr. Gordon that they are both part of his twisted plan. Dr. Gordon must find a way to kill Adam before 6 pm, or else Jigsaw will have his family killed. Dr. Gordon is given a choice – he can either kill Adam to save his family or try to find another way out of their predicament.
Adam, on the other hand, is also part of the game. He was being tested as well, though his test is to appreciate life and not take it for granted. He had the means to unlock his ankle chain by retrieving a key from the bathtub drain, but he failed to do so in time. When Adam tries to attack Jigsaw, he gets shocked by an ankle chain, leaving him helpless.
As the film nears its climax, Dr. Gordon, desperate to save his family, ultimately decides to cut off his foot with the hacksaw, sacrificing a part of himself to escape and fulfill Jigsaw's demands. In a shocking final scene, we see him crawling out of the bathroom, leaving Adam behind.
The film ends on a chilling note, with the infamous "Game Over" line spoken by Jigsaw. The audience is left with the haunting realization that the true mastermind behind the twisted traps is still at large, and the horror is far from over.
The ending of Saw 1 is revered for its unexpected twist and for setting the tone for the subsequent entries in the franchise. It leaves viewers questioning the morality and motives of Jigsaw while providing a memorable and shocking conclusion that has made the movie a classic in the horror genre.
Saw Plot Twist
In the first Saw movie, the story centers around two men, photographer Adam and oncologist Dr. Lawrence Gordon, who wake up in a dilapidated bathroom with their ankles chained to pipes. Between them lies the lifeless body of an apparent suicide victim, clutching a revolver and a microcassette recorder.
Each man finds a tape in their pocket, and Adam retrieves the recorder. The tapes present them with a horrifying choice: Adam must find a way to survive, while Gordon is instructed to kill Adam by 6 o'clock or risk his wife and daughter being killed by the Jigsaw Killer.
Both men attempt to use hacksaws to cut through their chains, but Adam's saw breaks, leading Gordon to realize that the saws are meant to cut through their feet. Gordon identifies their captor as the Jigsaw Killer, who puts his victims through deadly traps called "games" to test their will to survive. Gordon recognizes the name because he was once a suspect in the Jigsaw case.
The movie also shows a series of flashbacks revealing events that occurred five months earlier. Gordon was questioned by Detectives Tapp and Sing about his possible connection to Jigsaw when they found his penlight at a crime scene. After Gordon's release, Tapp and Sing find Jigsaw's warehouse and confront him, but Sing is killed in the process.
Back in the present, Alison and Diana, Gordon's wife, and daughter, are held captive by Jigsaw while being monitored through hidden cameras. Tapp, who is now obsessed with the Jigsaw case, watches the events unfold from a distance.
As the tension escalates, Gordon finds a box containing two cigarettes, a lighter, and a one-way cellphone. He recalls being abducted by a pig-masked figure in a parking garage. Adam also remembers his own abduction when he found a puppet in his darkroom, which contained photos of Gordon.
Alison manages to call Gordon and warns him not to trust Adam. However, Adam reveals to Gordon that he was paid by Tapp to spy on him and knows about Gordon's affair with one of his medical students, which is likely the reason for his abduction.
At 6 o'clock, Jigsaw's accomplice, Zep Hindle, attempts to kill Alison and Diana but is ultimately stopped by Tapp. Gordon, unaware of the situation outside, saws off his foot in desperation and shoots Adam, believing he has to follow Jigsaw's instructions to save his family. However, it is revealed that Adam survived the gunshot and bludgeons Zep to death when he enters the bathroom to kill Gordon.
In a shocking twist, the lifeless body lying in the room rises, revealing itself to be the real Jigsaw Killer, John Kramer. He informs Adam that the key to his ankle chain was in the bathtub and had been washed down the drain when he first woke up. Adam attempts to shoot John but is shocked by his ankle chain, and John leaves the bathroom, sealing the door behind him, leaving Adam to die.
The movie concludes with Gordon crawling out of the bathroom, leaving Adam behind, and the chilling realization that the Jigsaw Killer is still at large. The first Saw movie is praised for its clever plot twists and intense psychological horror, setting the stage for the successful franchise that followed.
Saw 1 Where to Watch?
Currently, the movie Saw is available for streaming on Starz and Amazon Prime. Additionally, you have the option to watch Saw by renting or purchasing it on various platforms like Vudu, iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, and Google Play.
These streaming services and platforms offer the movie to cater to a wide range of audiences, allowing horror fans and movie enthusiasts to easily access the film. Whether you prefer a subscription-based service like Starz or Amazon Prime or opt for a one-time rental or purchase on Vudu, iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, or Google Play, you can enjoy the suspenseful and twisted horror of Saw at your convenience.
The availability of the movie on multiple platforms ensures that viewers can find a suitable option that fits their preferences and access it from the comfort of their own homes.
Saw 1 Cast
Adam
Leigh Whannell
Dr. Lawrence Gordon
Cary Elwes
Detective David Tapp
Danny Glover
Detective Steven Sing
Ken Leung
Kerry
Dina Meyer
Paul
Mike Butters
Mark
Paul Gutrecht
Zep Hindle
Michael Emerson
Brett
Benito Martinez
Amanda
Shawnee Smith
Diana Gordon
Makenzie Vega
Alison Gordon
Monica Potter
Jeff
Ned Bellamy
Carla
Alexandra Chun
Jigsaw
Tobin Bell
Character
Actor
Saw 1 Ending Explained - FAQs
"Saw" was directed by James Wan.
The screenplay was written by Leigh Whannell, based on a story co-created with James Wan.
"Saw" was first screened on January 19, 2004, at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival.
The film's plot revolves around the Jigsaw Killer, who tests his victims' will to live by putting them through deadly "games" where they must inflict great physical pain upon themselves to survive.
The main actors in "Saw" include Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter, Michael Emerson, Ken Leung, and Leigh Whannell.