1428 Elm
Fansided

Saw series marathon to provide quarantine catharsis on Syfy

By Jonathan Weidler

AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 14: James Wan attends the "The Curse of La Llorona" Premiere 2019 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Paramount Theatre on March 14, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for SXSW)
AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 14: James Wan attends the "The Curse of La Llorona" Premiere 2019 SXSW Conference and Festivals at Paramount Theatre on March 14, 2019 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for SXSW) /
facebooktwitterreddit

This weekend, those looking for some horror catharsis amid the quarantine can catch the buzz of a Saw series marathon on Syfy.

James Wan’s 2004 feature debut, Saw, became an October horror success story that inspired six sequels, a pseudo-reboot (2017’s Jigsaw), and the forthcoming Spiral (which, true to its title, has been placed in release-date limbo due to the COVID-19 pandemic).

With each series entry predicated on moralistic lessons for unsuspecting victims caught in elaborate Rube Goldberg traps, Wan (and co-collaborators Leigh Whannell and Darren Lynn Bousman) conjured a formula as reliable as the slasher films that flourished during the 1980s (not to mention Scream in the ’90s). Albeit one with aspirations of social and political relevance.

The point of the matter is, while the Saw series exists within a self-contained universe where the plot twists become increasingly convoluted (and frankly improbable), there is still a degree of fun to be had with the formula. As strange as it may sound, not unlike the aforementioned ’80s slashers, the Saw series is almost comforting in its ability to give the viewer nasty twists on a familiar premise. But at the same time, there’s a certain queasy catharsis to all the escalating bloodshed and self-mutilation. (Not sure what that says about my sensibilities).

Perhaps that’s why Syfy will be airing a marathon of the Saw series this weekend. With the United States (and other countries) in various degrees of lockdown due to COVID-19, I can think of few better ways to let off some steam than by indulging in this uniquely brutal series.

The marathon begins at 8:30 am EST on April 26, with the lineup as follows:

  • Saw II (8:30 – 10:30 am)
  • Saw III (10:30 am – 12:30 pm)
  • Saw IV (1 – 3 pm)
  • Saw V (3 – 5 pm)
  • Saw VI (5 – 7 pm)
  • Saw 3D (7 – 9 pm)
  • Jigsaw (9 – 11 pm)

You’ll note that the first Saw is not part of the Syfy marathon. Worry not – Wan’s original is available to stream via Amazon (among other sites).

Next. Saw. dark

Will you be tuning into the Syfy marathon of Saw? What is your favorite film in the franchise? Let us know in the comments.

Home/Saw