| Saw | |
|---|---|
&sq=Envato&lang=en&file=File:Saw_official_poster.jpg) Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | James Wan |
| Screenplay by | Leigh Whannell |
| Story by |
|
| Produced by | |
| Starring |
|
| Cinematography | David A. Armstrong |
| Edited by | Kevin Greutert |
| Music by | Charlie Clouser |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Lions Gate Films |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 103 minutes |
| Country | United States[1] |
| Language | English |
| Budget | $1–1.2 million |
| Box office | $104 million[2] |
Saw is a 2004 American horror film directed by James Wan in his feature directorial debut, and written by Leigh Whannell, from a story by Wan and Whannell. It is the first installment in the Saw film series, and stars Whannell alongside Cary Elwes, Danny Glover, Monica Potter, Michael Emerson, and Ken Leung.
The film tells a nonlinear narrative revolving around the mystery of the Jigsaw Killer, who tests his victims' will to live by putting them through deadly "games" where they must inflict great physical pain upon themselves to survive. The frame story follows Jigsaw's latest victims (Whannell and Elwes), who awaken in a large, dilapidated bathroom, with one being ordered to kill the other to save his own family.
The screenplay was written by Whannell, who co-created the story with Wan in their respective screenwriting debuts. The film was originally written in 2001, but after failed attempts to get the script produced in Wan and Whannell's home country of Australia, they were urged to travel to Los Angeles. In order to help attract producers, they shot a low-budget short film of the same name from a scene out of the script. This proved successful in 2003 as producers were immediately attached and also formed a horror genre production label, Twisted Pictures. The film was given a small production budget and was shot in 18 days.
Saw was first screened at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival on January 19, 2004. Due to positive audience reception, Lionsgate picked up the distribution rights for the film. Originally planned for a straight-to-video release, they decided to instead release the film in theaters in North America on October 29, 2004. The film received mixed reviews from critics. After topping the opening weekend box office, the film would go on to gross $104 million worldwide to become one of the most profitable horror films since Scream (1996). A sequel, titled Saw II was released in October 2005. The success of Saw launched a media franchise, including several films, video games, theme park rides, and merchandising.
- ^ "Saw (2004)". British Film Institute. Archived from the original on March 12, 2023. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ "Saw". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on August 22, 2023. Retrieved September 10, 2023.