🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Darren Lynn Bousman
- Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller, Crime
- Release year: 2021
- Runtime (length): 1h 33min
- IMDb rating: 5.2/10 (72K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 37%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
Chris Rock plays a cop who hates his job, someone starts copycatting Jigsaw, and Samuel L. Jackson is just…there, yelling sometimes.
🍿 Spiral: From the Book of Saw: Detailed Plot Synopsis
A New Game Begins
Detective Zeke Banks (Chris Rock), ostracized for reporting a corrupt cop, is partnered with rookie William Schenk (Max Minghella). They investigate a series of gruesome murders targeting police officers. The crimes mimic the style of the Jigsaw Killer, leading to fears of a copycat.

Escalating Stakes
As the body count rises, Zeke and William find themselves entangled in a deepening mystery. The traps become more elaborate, and the killer’s motives become clearer: to punish corrupt cops and expose the rot within the police department. A personal connection emerges, as Zeke’s father, Marcus Banks (Samuel L. Jackson), a retired police chief, is also drawn into the game.

Trust and Betrayal
Zeke grapples with internal distrust, fueled by his past experiences with corrupt colleagues. The investigation takes a dark turn when evidence points to someone within the department. The lines between hunter and hunted blur as Zeke races against time to uncover the truth and stop the killer’s deadly game.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Detective Zeke Banks (Chris Rock): A brash and isolated detective investigating a series of Jigsaw-inspired murders targeting corrupt cops, while navigating his complicated relationship with his father.
- Detective William Schenk (Max Minghella): Zeke’s seemingly idealistic rookie partner who is revealed to be the Jigsaw copycat seeking revenge for his father’s murder by a corrupt cop.
- Marcus Banks (Samuel L. Jackson): Zeke’s esteemed police veteran father and former Chief of Police whose past decisions come back to haunt him and his son.
- Captain Angie Garza (Marisol Nichols): The police chief who assigns Zeke his cases and is later revealed to have protected corrupt officers, making her a target.
- Detective Marv ‘Boz’ Boswick (Dan Petronijevic): An off-duty corrupt detective whose death kicks off the investigation and establishes the copycat killer’s M.O.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- William Schenk: “You wanna know why I picked you, Detective Banks? Because you’re the only good cop I know.” – Schenk reveals his twisted admiration for Zeke, setting up the final act confrontation.
- Det. Zeke Banks: “You think you’re making a difference? You’re just making a mess!” – Zeke expresses his frustration and disagreement with the killer’s methods.
- William Schenk: “Hello, Detective Banks. I want to play a game.” – Schenk uses the iconic Jigsaw phrase to begin his game, signaling his intentions.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $20,000,000
- Domestic Gross: $23,216,862
- Worldwide Gross: $40,618,920
💥 Spiral: From the Book of Saw Reviews
Personal Review
As a long time Saw fan I went into this with cautious optimism. Chris Rock’s involvement was intriguing, but the execution left me wanting more. The traps felt less creative than previous installments, and the reveal was something I figured out way too early. I liked that it tried to tackle some relevant social issues. Overall, I was entertained, but not blown away like I hoped.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of the Saw franchise”
- “Viewers who enjoy horror movies with elaborate traps”
- “Those interested in police procedural thrillers with a dark twist”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence and gore”
- “Disturbing imagery”
- “Strong language”
- “Themes of corruption and revenge”
Professional Reviews
- Rotten Tomatoes: “Spiral attempts to breathe new life into the Saw franchise with Chris Rock’s involvement, but ultimately spirals into familiar territory with predictable twists and a lack of genuine scares. The new direction doesn’t quite deliver.
- IGN: “Spiral tries to be a commentary on police corruption wrapped in a Saw movie, but fails to fully commit to either. Chris Rock is miscast, and the traps, while gruesome, lack the cleverness of the original films. It’s a decent attempt, but falls short.
- Bloody Disgusting: “Spiral offers a fresh perspective by focusing on social issues like police brutality, making it stand out from its predecessors. However, the predictable plot and Chris Rock’s uneven performance hinder the overall experience. Still a worthwhile entry for Saw fans.
Audience Reactions
Many found the movie predictable, with an obvious killer reveal.: Some fans appreciated the attempt to bring a new direction and address social issues, but many found the twists and traps uninspired.
Viewers were divided on Chris Rock’s performance, with opinions ranging from ‘miscast’ to ‘surprisingly good’.: The focus on police corruption was a theme that resonated for a lot of viewers, but the execution of the story faltered.
Overall Consensus: Mixed to negative reception. While some appreciated its attempt at social commentary and new direction, most found the plot predictable and the traps uninspired, marking it as a weaker entry in the Saw franchise.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “Chris Rock is a genuine fan of the ‘Saw’ franchise and approached Lionsgate with the idea for ‘Spiral’. He was heavily involved in the writing and production process.”
- “The film’s title, ‘Spiral’, refers to the spiral pattern used as a recurring visual motif, symbolizing the cyclical nature of violence and corruption.”
- “Director Darren Lynn Bousman, who previously directed ‘Saw II’, ‘Saw III’, and ‘Saw IV’, returned to the franchise with ‘Spiral’, bringing his experience with the series’ signature style.”
🖥️ How to Watch Spiral: From the Book of Saw?
Spiral: From the Book of Saw is available for rent or purchase on various platforms, including Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local cable provider for on-demand options. Physical copies (Blu-ray, DVD) are also widely available for purchase.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Spiral: From the Book of Saw, you might like these similar films:
- Saw (2004): It is the original movie that started the entire franchise and contains similar elements of traps and mystery.
- Seven (1995): A dark crime thriller focused on a detective trying to catch a serial killer.
- Identity (2003): Another thriller with similar amounts of suspence and unpredictable twists and turns.
- Zodiac (2007): The film follows investigators and reporters in the hunt for the Zodiac Killer, a serial murderer who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s and early 1970s, taunting them with ciphers and letters.
🛒 Spiral: From the Book of Saw Related Products
- Saw: The Complete Movie Collection [Blu-ray]: Own the entire Saw saga, including Spiral, in stunning high definition. This collection is perfect for collectors and horror enthusiasts looking for a comprehensive experience.
- Spiral: From the Book of Saw – Official Movie Poster: High-quality print of the original Spiral movie poster, perfect for framing and displaying your love for the Saw franchise.
- Jigsaw Puppet Prop Replica: High quality, full-size Jigsaw puppet replica as seen in the Saw movies, perfect for collectors or cosplayers.
- SAW: The Video Game: Experience the terror of the Saw universe firsthand in this thrilling video game. Solve puzzles, escape traps, and make life-or-death choices.
🎧 Soundtrack
Spiral: From the Book of Saw features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
- “You Ain’t Hard” – performed by Young Nudy
- “Theme from Spiral: From the Book of Saw” – performed by Charlie Clouser
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Spiral is a spin-off within the Saw universe, not a direct sequel to the previous films. While it shares the same themes and gruesome traps, it introduces new characters and a storyline separate from the original Jigsaw narrative.
The killer is Detective William Schenk, also known as Emerson, the son of a man murdered by a corrupt cop. He seeks revenge against the police department for its corruption.
Spiral features graphic violence and disturbing imagery typical of the Saw franchise. While it incorporates elements of a police procedural thriller, its focus on elaborate traps and gore makes it a horror film intended for mature audiences.
🔥 Bonus Content
ER Doctor REACTS to Unbeatable Saw Traps
Ever wondered how realistic those Saw traps actually are? This ER doctor breaks down the injuries and reactions, and honestly, it’s both fascinating and horrifying. You gotta see it to believe it!
Saw: The History of Dr. Lawrence Gordon | Horror History
Want to know the *real* story behind Dr. Gordon and his connection to Jigsaw? This video dives deep into his past, his motivations, and how he fits into the bigger picture. Trust me, it’ll blow your mind!
How to Beat Every Trap in Spiral: From the Book of Saw
Think you could survive the traps in Spiral? This video breaks down each one and figures out the best ways to beat them. It’s like a twisted puzzle game, and I’m weirdly addicted to it!
How Chris Rock BROKE MY LEG!! – On the set of Spiral
You won’t believe what happened on the set of Spiral! This guy tells the hilarious story of how Chris Rock accidentally broke his leg. It’s a funny, behind-the-scenes look that you won’t find anywhere else.
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