Spiral: From the Book of Saw (2021) is a continuation of the iconic Saw franchise, this time with a procedural twist. Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, the film blends crime thriller elements with brutal traps and a fresh new killer inspired by Jigsaw’s ideology. Below is a detailed, spoiler-heavy look at the movie, its making, and why it matters for fans of the franchise.
Detailed Summary
The New Killer in Town
The film opens with the murder of a police officer in a gruesome trap at a carnival. The killer leaves spiral-shaped clues behind, hinting that someone is emulating the late Jigsaw Killer, but with a new purpose. Detective Zeke Banks (played by Chris Rock) is assigned the case, though most of his fellow officers resent him for exposing a corrupt colleague years earlier.
Zeke and His Father
Zeke’s father, Marcus Banks (Samuel L. Jackson), is a former police captain who once led the department with unquestioned authority. Their relationship is tense, shaped by distrust, duty, and Zeke’s lonely reputation within the force. Marcus seems to have answers, but refuses to share them, leaving Zeke isolated at a crucial time.
The Corruption Secret
As more officers fall victim to vicious traps, Zeke begins seeing a connection: the killer is targeting corrupt cops who have abused their power. This strikes a personal chord because Zeke has suffered professionally for refusing to support their cover-ups. The killer sends Zeke packages with grisly evidence, taunting him to “choose justice.”
The Rookie: Detective Schenk
Zeke works with his new partner, Detective William Schenk (Max Minghella). He appears inexperienced but enthusiastic, eager to learn from Zeke. He warns Zeke that exposing corruption makes him a target. This connection becomes critical later, as their partnership forms the emotional core of the plot.
Movie Ending
In the climax, Zeke discovers that Detective Schenk is the killer. His real name is Billy Emmerson, the son of a man killed by a corrupt cop years ago. The officer who committed the crime was protected by Zeke’s father and the entire department.
Billy reveals that he wants to work with Zeke, believing he shares his fight against police corruption. Billy even claims that he isn’t against law enforcement, only those who abuse power. His goal is to dismantle the system by punishing the corrupt under the same philosophy Jigsaw used: painful reform.
Billy places Marcus (Zeke’s father) in a final trap. Police bursts into the building, misinterpreting Marcus’s involuntary movements as a threat and instantly shoots him. As Marcus dies, Billy escapes, leaving Zeke torn between revenge, justice, and the system that just killed his father.
The movie ends with Billy getting away, while Zeke screams helplessly as the officers hold him back. The killer lives on, leaving the franchise open for continuation.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
There are no post-credits scenes in Spiral (2021). Once the screen cuts to black after Billy escapes, the story is over. The absence of a tease is deliberate, letting the unresolved ending linger.
Type of Movie
This film is a crime-thriller mixed with horror, combining procedural detective storytelling with graphic Saw-style traps. It leans more into investigation than previous Saw entries, yet maintains the franchise’s signature brutality.
Cast
- Chris Rock as Detective Zeke Banks
- Max Minghella as Detective William Schenk / Billy Emmerson
- Samuel L. Jackson as Marcus Banks
- Marisol Nichols as Captain Angie Garza
- Zoie Palmer as Kara Boswick
- Dan Petronijevic as Detective Marv Boswick
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by Charlie Clouser, a longtime contributor to the Saw franchise. His music maintains the industrial, tension-driven sound, especially during trap sequences and the iconic Hello Zepp-style themes.
Filming Locations and Their Importance
Filming took place mainly in Toronto, Canada, using aging city architecture to reflect the gritty, corrupt police environment. The urban decay mirrors the moral decay of the police force, emphasizing how the setting itself feels complicit in the corruption Billy seeks to destroy.
Awards and Nominations
Spiral (2021) did not receive major awards, but it gained attention for bringing the Saw series back into public conversation. It was noted for its unique tone shift toward investigative drama.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Chris Rock pitched the idea to producers after expressing interest in bringing comedy and detective elements into the franchise.
- Samuel L. Jackson insisted on improvising several lines to make the father-son dynamic more natural.
- Darren Lynn Bousman returned to the franchise after having directed three earlier Saw films.
- Many trap scenes were redesigned multiple times due to Chris Rock’s reaction to “overly comedic visuals.”
Inspirations and References
- Inspired by film noir detective classics, combined with the morality torture philosophy of Jigsaw.
- The killer Billy resembles early comic-book vigilantes, punishing corrupt authority figures.
- Spirals symbolically reference cycles of corruption within institutions, not just an aesthetic choice.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
- A rumored alternate ending involved Zeke choosing to help Billy escape, aligning with his anti-corruption motive.
- Deleted scenes reportedly included more backstory for Billy and additional scenes showing Marcus’s police legacy.
Book Adaptations and Differences
The movie is not based on a book, but takes direct influence from Saw franchise lore while creating a new storyline that explores systemic corruption instead of individual moral failings.
Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The subway trap sequence, notable for being one of the most brutal deaths in the film.
- Billy’s reveal as the killer, shifting the movie’s genre from whodunit to moral confrontation.
- The final police raid and Marcus’s death, symbolizing institutional failure.
Iconic Quotes
- “If the system is corrupt, how can justice ever prevail?”
- “You want justice. But you’ve been playing by the rules of a game that doesn’t exist.”
- “Do you want to stop corruption, Zeke? Then work with me.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The use of spirals references the hypnotic cycle of systemic problems.
- Trap mechanisms closely mirror early Jigsaw engineering, hinting Billy studied original case files.
- The killer puppet design is intentionally childlike, referencing Billy’s trauma.
Trivia
- Chris Rock personally chose Max Minghella for the role of Schenk.
- Production paused due to heavy rain because rain machines were unnecessary.
- The movie was originally intended for a Halloween release but was pushed due to pandemic delays.
Why Watch?
This movie is a strong watch for those who like dark, morally complex thrillers. It is a fresher take on Saw, focusing less on body horror and more on systemic corruption, while still delivering intense, memorable traps. Fans of investigative drama with a horror twist will likely find it compelling.
Director’s Other Works
- Saw II (2005)
- Saw III (2006)
- Saw IV (2007)
- Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)
Recommended Films for Fans
- Se7en (1995)
- Saw (2004)
- The Bone Collector (1999)
- The Devil’s Rejects (2005)
- Sin City (2005)
