'Saw X' 4K UHD Blu-Ray Review - Horror Franchise Is Firing On All Cylinders (2024)

John Kramer (Tobin Bell) is back. The most chilling installment of the SAW franchise yet explores the untold chapter of Jigsaw’s most personal game. Set between the events of SAW I and II, this story finds a sick and desperate John traveling to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of obtaining a miracle cure for his cancer – only to discover the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable. Armed with a newfound purpose, John returns to his work, turning the tables on the con artists in his signature visceral way through a series of ingenious and terrifying traps.

For in-depth thoughts on Saw X, please see my colleague Gaius Bolling’s review from its original theatrical release here.

Video Quality

Saw X makes its debut courtesy of Lionsgate with a 2160p presentation in 1.85:1 with HDR10. This is one of the few 4K UHD titles that Lionsgate has released in a while that does not include Dolby Vision, and from chatter online, it appears this was mostly due to the change in the theatrical release date which changed the timetable on deliverable elements. This is somewhat disappointing, but those who check out the release should agree that it is an extremely fetching presentation that treats the material well. The 4K presentation provides a depth of field and clarity that simply cannot be replicated as well with the accompanying Blu-Ray.

The HDR10 shows its worth with black levels that are deep and detailed with digital noise largely absent from the screen. This entry finds the story shifting from the drab locations that typically represent the series to the vibrant locales of Mexico. The highlights here wow with an intense clarity and a strong handle of white levels that show no evidence of blooming. Skin tones look natural and realistic throughout as they show a great amount of facial detail. Depth of color is another area of significant improvement in comparison to the Blu-Ray. Colors look more natural and complex in this presentation with multiple instances of shades rendering quite beautifully. Overall, this is a strong 4K UHD presentation that offers a noticeable uptick in clarity and depth. We wouldn’t pass up a Dolby Vision reissue if it ever materialized, but this presentation is great as is.

Audio Quality

This disc comes equipped with a dynamic Dolby Atmos presentation that fully engulfs you in this narrative. Dialogue is presented clearly without ever being drowned out by any of the competing sonic elements. The score is always one of the featured elements of the franchise, and the work of Charlie Clouser brings to life a truly unsettling soundscape that amps up the creepy factor. There are elements in this track that are truly chilling, as the sound design works as effectively to bring the traps to life as the visuals.

The sound design of this film is quite intense, and the implementation of environmental sounds is executed quite deftly. The height channels complement the main sonic load by expanding the environment well. Sounds are effectively rendered with precise directionality from the more kinetic scenes to the quieter dialogue-driven scenes filled with subtle ambiance. The low-end response is engaged well at multiple points throughout the film. The mix here is very well done with favorable engagement of all the channels. Lionsgate has not skimped on the audio here.

Special Features

• Audio Commentary: Director-Editor Kevin Greutert, Cinematographer Nick Matthews, and Production Designer Anthony Stabley provide some entertaining scene-specific commentary along with some general insights about why they wanted to return to this story, what they wanted to say with this new chapter, the aesthetic of the feature, and more. The trio has a nice rapport that makes this one an enjoyable listen.

• Reawakening: A six-part 96-minute making-of documentary that provides a nice overview of the franchise and returning to this era of the story. The piece delves into the new and returning faces, the fresh locations and look of the film, the make-up effects, the post-production process, the film’s release, and more.

• Drawing Inspiration – Illustrated Scene Breakdowns: A three-part, 34-minute piece in which Kevin Greutert provides a meticulous breakdown of key scenes in the film.

• Make-Up Department Trap Tests: An 18-minute look at the initial tests for how the traps were going to be executed in the film.

• Deleted Scenes: There are 13 unused scenes totaling 37 minutes provided in an unfinished form. There is some interesting material in here that was understandably cut for time.

• Theatrical Trailer: The two-and-a-half-minute trailer is provided here.

Final Thoughts

Saw X represents a high point in a franchise that has seemed somewhat unsure of itself in the past few installments. Director Kevin Greutert has always brought something special to the series, and what he accomplishes here showcases what it looks like when the series is firing on all cylinders. It is great to have Tobin Bell back working with a burgeoning, unsteady Amanda, effectively brought to life by Shawnee Smith. Special praise should be served up to those who created the traps in this one, as it still shocks us that there are still so many creative ways to kill people. Lionsgate Home Entertainment has provided a 4K UHD Blu-Ray with a great A/V presentation and an excellent assortment of special features. Whether you are an unwavering fan of the franchise or someone who has fallen off in earlier installments, this is a great time. Recommended

Saw X will be available to purchase on 4K UHD Blu-ray, Blu-Ray, and DVD on November 21, 2023. The film is currently available on Digital.

Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the 4K UHD Blu-Ray.

Disclaimer: Lionsgate Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.