Movies
[Review] ‘Saw 6’ (‘Saw VI’)
“In the end, SAW VI is faithful to the franchise and the twist/finale are 100% satisfying. SAW fans WILL walk out of the theater with their fists in the air with the feeling that they’ve reclaimed their beloved franchise.”
After six years and six movies, you’re either a fan of SAW or you aren’t. In the nine years that I’ve been running Bloody Disgusting my one major discovery was the first SAW film, and to this day I have always felt a personal connection to the franchise. Up until last year, I couldn’t believe four (rushed) films managed to keep true to the original and somehow take it one step further. SAW V hurt, it really, really hurt. While each and every “good” SAW movie felt like an accidental blessing, I never expected the fifth to be as bad as it was. It was so bad that it removed me from the franchise; I couldn’t have cared less if SAW VI was even made. Yet, comes another Halloween, another SAW… who is going to say “no thanks”? With expectations already at rock bottom, SAW VI opens in such a fury that within five minutes time I leaned over to Andrea (Mrs. Disgusting) and exclaimed, “This is already better than SAW V.”
Explaining the plot and going over the previous films is a nightmare, so we’ll keep this short. Marcus Dunstan and Patrick Melton returned once again to pen SAW VI and have done something they have never done before as they bring a real-world political situation into the fold. As you all know, Jigsaw was dying of brain cancer, and well, his insurance company didn’t see it in their best interest to help him find a cure. Let’s leave it at that. The movie focuses on William (Peter Outerbridge), a man who denied Jigsaw (Tobin Bell) the chance to live, thus, he must learn his mistakes through four rigorous challenges (traps) that will lead to his potential salvation.
There are a few key elements that brought SAW VI together into a solid package of blood-curdling goodness. First and foremost, I would like to congratulate director Kevin Greutert for having some f*cking balls. SAW V was shot in the laziest, safest way I have seen in nearly any movie (unless you count Hallmark specials). On the other hand, SAW VI blends elements from SAW, SAW II and SAW IV; you get some flash cutting, while there are also some beautiful establishing shots and even handheld work. Greutert was really paying attention and learned from Darren Bousman, who delivered the engaging pacing of SAW II, the mind-bending experience of SAW III and the flashy delicious gore of SAW IV – SAW VI has a taste of it all.
While Greutert was the man behind the camera, what he really did was bring justice to the screenplay by Dunstan and Melton, who proved to the horror Gods that they actually listen to the fans. The major problem with SAW V is that Jigsaw and Amanda were nearly non-existent, and even Hoffman’s (Costas Mandylor) character was extremely underdeveloped. In SAW VI, Jigsaw once again is the protagonist (or anti-hero if you will; in fact, you’re pretty much rooting for him from square one) and plays a major, major role in the unrolling plot. Even Shawnee Smith returns as Amanda and brings together a major twist you’ll have to see to believe. But more remarkable is the rise of Hoffman, who somehow goes from zero to hero in a measly hour-and-a-half. He has personality, depth and drive; and for the first time I saw him as an intricate part of the SAW world. In addition to the character development, Dunstan and Melton bring the viewer an engaging, suspenseful and coherent story that opens with a bang and leaves you screaming (pun intended) for more.
While the film has its share of issues (mostly in the acting department) and other technical flaws, in the end what it delivers is pure entertaining. What more can you ask for from a fifth sequel?
In the end, SAW VI is faithful to the franchise and the twist/finale are 100% satisfying. SAW fans WILL walk out of the theater with their fists in the air with the feeling that they’ve reclaimed their beloved franchise.
A very hungry hippopotamus leads the charge for this week’s brand new horror releases, with Hungry now available at home along with four other new genre movies on Digital outlets.
Here’s all the new horror that released on Tuesday, June 23, 2026!
After a limited theatrical run, hippo horror movie Hungry is now available at home.
From writer and director James Nunn (Shark Bait, One Shot), Hungry follows thrill-seeking tourists on a riverboat tour through the treacherous Louisiana swamplands. Lured off the beaten path by the promise of an exclusive adventure, they soon find themselves fighting for survival against a ravenous hippopotamus lurking beneath the bayou’s murky waters.
Madison Davenport (It’s What’s Inside), Tracey Bonner (Greenland), Michel Curiel (“She-Hulk: Attorney at Law”), Jim Meskimen (“Parks and Recreation”), Samantha Coughlan (Arcadian), Olivia Bernstone (Fighting with My Family), River Codack (“Happy Face”), and Joaquim de Almeida (Desperado) star.
Rob Hunter wrote in his review for Bloody Disgusting, “When all is said and done, Hungry is a genuinely solid animal attack film that succeeds in making its creature threat thrilling, entertaining, and, dare I say, educational?” Rob’s review continues, “Characters are grounded and engaging, the film moves well between suspense, character beats, and action, and the effects used to bring the hippo to life are highly effective and never feel like distractions.”
William Bagley‘s horror comedy Hold the Fort is now available on Digital.
In the film, “Lucas and Jenny think their life is finally coming together when the couple become homeowners. Little do they know that their new house comes with a big catch.
“Lucas and Jenny soon find themselves in a fight for their lives when they become trapped in a battle between their Homeowners Association and an onslaught of monsters from hell.”
Vertigo Releasing promises, “The horror-comedy takes the timely concern of home-ownership and wraps this up in an entertaining action-packed thrill ride.“
Chris Mayers (Adult Swim Yule Log), Haley Leary (“The Walking Dead”), Levi Burdick, and Julian Smith star in Hold the Fort, written and directed by William Bagley.
The latest from filmmaker Alex Noyer, Love Is the Monster is now available on Digital.
Madeline Zima (“Doom Patrol,” “Twin Peaks”) and Leonardo Nam (Werewolf by Night, “Westworld”) star as the unlucky couple discovering romance’s malevolent side.
“Following their marriage being rocked by infidelity, Ana and Justin attend an exclusive couples retreat in Finland, under the golden rays of the summer’s midnight sun. They join other international couples to experience the transformative teachings of the shaman and healer, Tiina, inspired by the ancient Finnish goddess of love and fertility, Lempo.
“Despite her doubts and some ominous first experiences, Ana gives the retreat a chance, but the thrill is quickly replaced by a battle for survival, as the influence of the divinity and the pagan rituals turn deadly. Couples’ problems lead to calamity, while Ana learns about the peculiar role she unwittingly plays in Tiina’s plans.”
Kimberly Sue-Murray (“The Boys”), Moe Jeudy-Lamour (“Ted Lasso”), Kristina Tonteri-Young (“Warrior Nun“), Milla Puolakanaho (Attack on Helsinki), and Sheila McCarthy (Women Talking) also star in Love Is the Monster.
Alex Noyer co-wrote the script with his Sound of Violence collaborator Hannu Aukia and Blair Bathory. Laurence Gendron joins Noyer and Aukia as a producer.
Samara Weaving (Ready or Not 2: Here I Come) and Kyle Gallner (Strange Darling) come together in Carolina Caroline, a sexy crime thriller now available at home.
It’s not a horror movie, mind you, but it’s worth a mention here all the same.
Kyra Sedgwick (Family Movie) and Jon Gries also star in the romantic crime thriller.
Director Adam Carter Rehmeier’s film stars Samara Weaving as Caroline Daniels, whose desire to leave her small Texas town brings her into the orbit of a charismatic con man (Kyle Gallner), and together they weave a path of crime and passion across the American Southeast.
Adam Rehmeier previously directed the films Dinner in America and Snack Shack.
Tom Dean wrote the screenplay for Carolina Caroline.
Described as a mash-up between Pumpkinhead and Cube, Round the Decay offers a fresh take on the monster movie formula with roots extending into psychological and folk horror.
The film is now available on VOD outlets at home.
Written and directed by Adam Newman (Everwinter Night), indie monster movie Round the Decay follows a young woman as she returns to the sleepy town of Newport’s Valley two years after a devastating tragedy and uncovers an all-consuming secret.
Victoria Mirrer leads a cast that includes Damian Maffei (The Strangers: Prey At Night), Sienna Hubert-Ross (Terrifier 3), Melody Kay (The NeverEnding Story III), Phil Duran (Breaking Bad), Sarah Nicklin (The Black Mass), Rachel Pizzolato (Mythbusters Jr.), and Roger Clark (Red Dead Redemption II).
Round the Decay boasts a practical creature designed by veteran special effects artist Greg McDougall (The Haunting of Hill House, Stranger Things, War of the Worlds).
This week’s new release roundups are presented by HUNGRY.
All aboard the swamp tour from hell – this hippo isn’t playing games…
HUNGRY is now available on Digital. Watch it now!
You must be logged in to post a comment.