The Saw franchise’s name made sense in its debut because of the first film’s ending, but with the franchise taking on a different approach to its storytelling, Saw 11 should make a major change to the saga’s branding. With Saw 11‘s release date pushed back a whole year, there is still plenty of time to adjust what the film’s marketing campaign will be like. While referring to the upcoming Saw movie as Saw 11 is the easiest way to separate it from all the previous Saw movies, it may be time for the franchise to try something more unique and inspired.
With a veteran Saw director returning for Saw 11, he may take a page out of Jigsaw and Spiral‘s book regarding titles. On one hand, sticking with the Saw title works because of brand familiarity. Considering how long the franchise has been around, it could be jarring to call each movie something different instead of sticking to what audiences know. Alternatively, giving each movie a different name would better represent what makes them special. Either way, it is time for Saw to admit one harsh truth about the franchise’s titles.
Saw worked well because its protagonists were forced to sever body parts to escape their predicament. Moreover, they needed to use a hacksaw to get the job done, so it makes even more sense why that was the title. However, as demonstrated with each subsequent entry in the franchise, the newer characters haven’t been forced into that position, so it would stand to reason that every Saw film would be named something that could better reflect each situation. Additionally, the franchise could choose different names while still including Saw as a subtitle.
Switching the name to something else with each subsequent movie while still keeping the Saw subtitle works because it demonstrates the different direction, narrative, etc. that each movie is going to focus on, while also retaining the name that the series has become famous for. From a broader perspective, naming each subsequent entry Saw doesn’t really make a lot of sense. The issue, however, lies in the potential for some audiences to get confused by the different names. However, when one examines the story, characters, and even the traps, it works out quite well.
While the greater significance behind the franchise’s title has yet to be revealed, some things suggest an answer for inquisitive viewers. The most obvious explanation for the title stems from the first movie’s ending, whereupon its protagonists use a hacksaw to sever parts of their bodies to escape certain death. Furthermore, the original promotional poster for the movie has a severed limb, further lending credence to the theory. On the other hand, John Kramer, played by Tobin Bell, is nicknamed the Jigsaw Killer due to his proclivities for using bladed traps to kill people.
Alternatively, the Saw franchise’s use of cameras and CCTV footage provides a less obvious, yet equally plausible, explanation for the title. Jigsaw uses surveillance to keep a watchful eye on his targets, as he must catch them in the act of committing morally dubious acts against humanity. However, a more subtle, yet likely reason behind its title stems from each movie’s plot twists, characters, traps, etc. fitting like various pieces to a jigsaw puzzle. With that in mind, Saw better reflects the franchise as a whole, but Saw 11 should still be titled something else.
The 2017 sequel, Jigsaw, sees a new batch of characters confined to a barn, who are forced to solve a series of convoluted crimes or face an incredibly gruesome death otherwise. Despite the Jigsaw Killer being dead for nearly a decade, the modus operandi suits John Kramer’s Jigsaw Killer, which heightens the mystery and increases the franchise’s appeal. Spiral follows a similar trick by introducing yet another batch of new characters and putting them through similar challenges. The movies themselves don’t necessarily cover new ground, but they continue the legacy in interesting ways.
Since Saw 11 has the potential to take the franchise in a new direction, its title should also be indicative of the new approach to its horror-based storytelling. Even if its structure and formula remain consistent with previous entries, giving it a new name coupled with new characters, traps, and themes would effectively make the overall experience feel fresh. Not only could this bring in a broader audience, but it would demonstrate the filmmakers’ desire to be more creative with the IP. Although nothing is certain, Saw 11 receiving a new title could give the long-running franchise a new life.