Saw 5 (2008)
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An FBI agent investigating a series of murders finds himself targeted by the very traps he is trying to solve.
The story
FBI Agent Peter Strahm investigates the murders committed by the Jigsaw Killer, only to discover the crimes are part of a larger, more intricate plot. Meanwhile, Jigsaw's accomplice, Detective Mark Hoffman, has been promoted to lieutenant and is tasked with leading the investigation. As Strahm delves deeper into the case, he becomes the target of Jigsaw's traps. The film follows the escalating tension between the investigator and the hidden accomplice as the truth about the Jigsaw murders begins to surface.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Convicted murderer Seth Baxter is forced to crush his hands to release himself from a pendulum blade, but is bisected anyway. FBI agent Peter Strahm escapes a room locked by Detective Hoffman, only to be attacked by a figure in a pig mask and trapped in a water-filled box; he survives by performing a tracheotomy. Hoffman is promoted for 'closing' the Jigsaw case but begins to suspect Strahm's involvement. Strahm, suspicious of Hoffman, begins researching past victims. In a sewer, five people (Ashley, Brit, Charles, Luba, and Mallick) are trapped in a room with collars connected to blades; they must work together to survive, but fail, leading to several deaths. Strahm learns that Hoffman killed Seth Baxter years ago and was blackmailed by John Kramer into helping him. In a final room, Mallick and Brit must provide blood to open a door, with Mallick sacrificing his arm. Meanwhile, Agent Erickson finds evidence that Hoffman is framing Strahm. In the climax, Strahm ambushes Hoffman in a nerve gas house and seals him in a box. However, the room shuts, and Strahm is crushed to death while Hoffman watches from safety.
- First release year
- 2008
- Runtime (minutes)
- 92
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- David Hackl
- Writers
- Patrick Melton · screenplay; Marcus Dunstan · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Tobin Bell · Jigsaw/John; Costas Mandylor · Detective Hoffman; Scott Patterson · Agent Strahm; Betsy Russell · Jill; Mark Rolston; Julie Benz · Brit; Carlo Rota; Meagan Good
- Genres
- horror; action; crime; thriller; splatter
- Themes
- consequence; sacrifice; betrayal; justice
- Tone and mood
- dark; tense; violent; gritty
- Premise and plot tags
- torture; mystery; sequel; crime
- Franchise connections
- Saw
- Reception
- The film received generally negative reviews from critics, with a Metacritic score of 20 and a CinemaScore of 'C'. However, some critics praised the acting and cinematography.
- Reported review scores
- CinemaScore · score: C · scale: A+ to F
- Production trivia
- Filming took place in Toronto from March to April 2008.; David Hackl previously served as the production designer of Saw II, Saw III, and Saw IV.; Tobin Bell shot all new flashback scenes for the film because his character was killed in Saw III.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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