Detailed Summary
The Game Begins: The Nerve Gas House
Saw II kicks off with a fresh take on the lethal games devised by the sinister Jigsaw (Tobin Bell). In this installment, eight individuals, including a detective’s son, Daniel (Erik Knudsen), find themselves trapped in a house filled with deadly traps. They are exposed to a lethal nerve gas, and their survival hinges on locating antidotes hidden within the house. However, retrieving these antidotes requires them to face gruesome challenges that push their will to live to the limit.
Detective Matthews’ Dilemma
Detective Eric Matthews, portrayed by Donnie Wahlberg, is a brash and frustrated cop who responds to the scene of Jigsaw’s latest trap. During the investigation, Matthews uncovers Jigsaw’s hideout and captures him. However, Jigsaw reveals that the true challenge isn’t his capture but rescuing Matthews’ son, Daniel, who is among the eight people trapped in a house. Matthews must navigate Jigsaw’s twisted game, confronting his own moral dilemmas in a desperate attempt to save his son.
The House of Horrors
Inside the house, the group realizes they are connected through a dark secret related to Matthews’ past. As they navigate through the deadly traps, each person falls victim to Jigsaw’s twisted design, revealing their own sins and weaknesses. Amanda (Shawnee Smith), a survivor of the first film’s game, is among them, but her true role in the game remains a mystery until later.
The Climax: The Safe Trap and the Twist
The climax reveals a shocking twist: the events inside the house have been pre-recorded and were happening hours earlier. By the time Matthews reaches the house, it’s too late to save anyone. Meanwhile, Jigsaw reveals that the key to saving his son was simply sitting down and talking with him, as Daniel was safe in a nearby safe all along.
The Final Revelation: Amanda’s Role
In the final moments, Amanda reveals her alliance with Jigsaw, having fully adopted his philosophy. She is determined to carry on his legacy. Matthews, trapped and only now understanding the truth, realizes too late that he was merely another piece in Jigsaw’s intricate game.
Movie Ending
Saw II ends with Detective Matthews trapped in a bathroom, chained and left to die, paralleling the ending of the first Saw movie. Amanda is revealed as Jigsaw’s protégé, setting up her role in the subsequent films.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, “Saw II” does not have any post-credits scenes. The movie concludes with a cliffhanger that sets up future installments.
Type of Movie
Saw II is a horror thriller, specifically part of the “torture porn” subgenre, characterized by its intense and graphic depiction of violence and psychological horror.
Cast
- Tobin Bell as Jigsaw / John Kramer
- Donnie Wahlberg as Detective Eric Matthews
- Shawnee Smith as Amanda Young
- Erik Knudsen as Daniel Matthews
- Franky G as Xavier Chavez
- Glenn Plummer as Jonas Singer
- Beverley Mitchell as Laura Hunter
- Dina Meyer as Detective Allison Kerry
Film Music and Composer
Charlie Clouser composed the music for Saw II, building on his work from the original film. Moreover, the soundtrack blends industrial and rock elements, further amplifying the movie’s tension and horror.
Filming Locations
- Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Much of the film was shot in Toronto, leveraging its diverse architecture to create the gritty, claustrophobic environment of the nerve gas house.
- Hamilton, Ontario, Canada: Additional scenes were filmed in Hamilton, adding to the film’s dark and industrial aesthetic.
The urban locations contribute to the film’s oppressive and trapped atmosphere, crucial to the story’s tension.
Awards and Nominations
- Scream Awards: Nominated for Best Horror Movie.
- Fangoria Chainsaw Awards: Tobin Bell won for Best Villain.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Director Darren Lynn Bousman originally wrote the script as a separate movie called The Desperate. It was later adapted into a Saw sequel when the studio noticed its similarities to the first film.
- Tobin Bell spent a significant amount of time lying still in his role as Jigsaw during the interrogation scenes, requiring extreme patience.
- The team completed filming in just 25 days, an impressive achievement considering the complexity of the production.
Inspirations and References
- The Original Saw (2004): The movie continues the story and themes introduced in the first Saw film, particularly the idea of testing the will to live through brutal psychological and physical challenges.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
The filmmakers didn’t create alternate endings, but they removed several graphic torture scenes to maintain a tight pace and a shorter runtime.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Saw II is not based on a book, but it does expand on the world and mythology introduced in the original film, adding depth to Jigsaw’s character and his twisted philosophy.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The Needle Pit: In one of the most iconic and disturbing scenes of the franchise, Amanda is thrown into a pit filled with syringes.
- The Furnace Trap: Jigsaw’s traps reveal their brutal nature when Obi is burned alive while retrieving an antidote.
- Matthews’ Confrontation: Matthews discovers that the footage is pre-recorded, revealing that his son is already safe and underscoring how Jigsaw has orchestrated the situation.
Iconic Quotes
- “Oh yes, there will be blood.” – Jigsaw
- “Live or die, make your choice.” – Jigsaw
- “The rules of our game have been made very clear. You need to abide by those rules.” – Jigsaw
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The opening scene’s trap is a direct reference to Jigsaw’s signature method of testing his victims with a gruesome choice.
- Amanda’s calm demeanor and expertise in the traps subtly reveal her role as Jigsaw’s apprentice.
Trivia
- The team blunted over 120,000 syringes individually to ensure safety during the syringe pit scene.
- Saw II was greenlit for production just three days after the first film’s release due to its instant success.
- The script originally had no connection to the Saw series, but they restructured it to fit Jigsaw’s narrative for the sequel.
Why Watch?
Saw II is a must-watch for horror fans, especially those who appreciate psychological thrillers with a dark, twisted edge. Moreover, it expands on the original film’s concepts by delivering more intricate traps and offering a deeper look into Jigsaw’s philosophy. Ultimately, the shocking twist ending, which has become a hallmark of the franchise, makes it even more unforgettable.
Director’s Other Movies
- Saw III (2006)
- Saw IV (2007)
- Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)
- Mother’s Day (2010)
- The Devil’s Carnival (2012)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Saw (2004)
- Hostel (2005)
- Cube (1997)
- The Collector (2009)
- The Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
- Final Destination (2000)
