Jigsaw: The Real Killer Revealed and Ending Explained

Jigsaw revitalizes the legacy of John Kramer (Tobin Bell) posthumously, introducing fresh complexities synonymous with the iconic Saw franchise. Set seven years after the purported “final chapter” in the series, Saw 3D, this eighth installment masterfully reshapes the audience’s understanding of John Kramer and his history as the infamous Jigsaw killer. Under the direction of the Spierig Brothers, Jigsaw reveals a new cadre of “players” ensnared in Kramer’s sinister games, each harboring dark confessions that propel the narrative forward.

The film intricately weaves together the struggles of Detectives Brad Halloran (Callum Keith Rennie) and Keith Hunt (Clé Bennett) as they hunt down a copycat killer who has reignited Jigsaw’s legacy. Working alongside them is pathologist Logan Nelson (Matt Passmore) and his assistant Eleanor Bonneville (Hannah Emily Anderson), both of whom become potential suspects in the investigation after Eleanor’s fascination with Jigsaw becomes apparent. True to Saw traditions, Jigsaw culminates in a remarkable twist ending, one that reshapes John Kramer’s backstory.

Understanding John Kramer’s Return in Jigsaw

The Intriguing Twist of John Kramer’s Return

A central mystery in Jigsaw revolves around the new killer’s identity, who employs Jigsaw’s iconic voice and traps, despite Kramer having been deceased for a decade. This enigma unfolds at a farm where the narrative kicks off with five victims, each shackled and subjected to cruel challenges. Only four manage to press on, leading to a tense showdown where Anna (Laura Vendervoort) and Ryan (Paul Braunstein) are left as the final survivors.

As Anna teeters on the brink of escape, she and Ryan are sedated, only to awaken captured in a laboratory where the mastermind manipulating events turns out to be none other than John Kramer himself. The twist is not merely his survival; Anna recognizes him as her former neighbor, to whom she and her husband had once offered support during his cancer treatments. Their recognition signifies the film’s initial dramatic turn.

Analyzing Every Trap & Victim in Jigsaw

New Players and Sinister Traps

The film engages deeply with the notion of accountability, illuminating how each victim is connected through a history of causing another’s demise. The narrative focuses on the theme of atonement for transgressions, albeit in gruesomely exaggerated ways. Each participant in this deadly game has evaded recognition of their culpability, setting the stage for Jigsaw’s intervention.

Significantly, each trap is designed to elicit confessions from the victims, pushing them toward genuine remorse, although none ultimately succeed. For instance, Carly (Brittany Allen) faces a harrowing choice between exposing a past wrong against an asthma sufferer or succumbing to acid injection—a choice she fails to make. Ryan’s attempt to break the rules results in a gruesome self-inflicted injury, while Mitch’s test on a spinning contraption ultimately leads to his demise.

The final two survivors, Anna and Ryan, are presented with convoluted paths to liberation where Kramer offers them a shotgun with a singular shell, signifying their only chance at freedom. Yet, in a lethal twist, Anna’s attempt to use the weapon backfires catastrophically, sealing her fate and leaving Ryan to face his own grim end.

Exploring Jigsaw’s Dual Timelines

The Complexity of Jigsaw’s Dual Timeline

A key revelation in Jigsaw is its use of dual timelines: one set in the past before the first movie and another in the present a decade after Kramer’s death. Ultimately, it’s unveiled that the events at the farm represent Jigsaw’s inaugural game, demonstrating Kramer’s quest for retribution against life’s injustices after his cancer diagnosis. This rationale explains why he targeted familiar flawed individuals, leading to their eventual downfall.

Throughout this narrative, we also gain insight into Kramer’s evolution into Jigsaw, as we learn that the farm previously belonged to his late wife—a pivotal figure in earlier films—and that it housed pigs, further tying back to his symbolic connection with the creature. Subtle inconsistencies point toward a carefully layered plot, hinting at discrepancies that enrich viewer engagement.

In the present timeline, a clever copycat emerges, mimicking Kramer’s methodology to deceive detectives and resurrecting Jigsaw’s primal legacy. This revelation sets the stage for the movie’s second major twist, which ties deeply into the narrative’s core.

Unmasking the Jigsaw Copycat

Revealing the Jigsaw Copycat

The narrative introduces several plausible suspects until the shocking true identity of the Jigsaw copycat is finally unveiled. Although Eleanor, a devoted admirer of Jigsaw, seems a likely candidate due to her obsession with recreating traps from Kramer’s blueprints, the suspicion shifts back to Logan, who becomes embroiled in accusations against Detective Halloran.

As events unfold, it becomes clear that the true Jigsaw copycat is none other than Logan himself. Driven by past grievances stemming from a misdiagnosis that inadvertently turned John Kramer into a killer, Logan aligns with Kramer’s original philosophy of saving those who show “mercy.”Notably, he was one of the original five players, escaping Kramer’s lethal traps by demonstrating that he yielded potential for development rather than remaining a mere pawn.

Logan’s complex role transcends imitation; he becomes a conduit for revenge and redemption against Detective Halloran, whose careless decisions led to the suffering of many, including Logan’s wife. This backstory enriches the overall narrative, revealing layers of emotion and motivation.

Through audacious manipulation, Logan crafts an elaborate scheme involving Kramer’s voice and iconic traps to exact revenge. Each victim is intricately linked to Halloran, allowing Logan to weave his trap and later confront Halloran in a dramatic showdown.

Comparing Jigsaw’s Ending to Previous Installments

Parallel Elements with Saw IV

The endings of the Saw franchise are renowned for their shocking twists. The original film stunned audiences with the revelation of John Kramer posing as the lifeless body in the bathroom, a pivotal moment that redefined horror cinematic storytelling. Subsequent films adopted a similar formula of twists, including confrontations between killers and their apprentices.

Interestingly, both Jigsaw and Saw IV manipulate time, keeping viewers engaged until the final act. While Saw IV reveals concurrent narratives between its events and those of Saw III, Jigsaw explores the interconnectedness of its timelines more intricately, creating a layered narrative rich with mystery and suspense.

While both films faced mixed reviews, Jigsaw stands out for its ambitious dual-timeline approach, providing a more sophisticated narrative structure. Although questions remain about certain plot developments, Jigsaw makes strides in enriching the continuity of the Saw saga.

Jigsaw: A Foundation for Future Saw Movies

Jigsaw’s Role in the Continuing Saga

While Jigsaw was initially perceived as a closing chapter in the franchise, it ultimately set the stage for subsequent sequels. Following its release, the franchise introduced Spiral, another copycat thriller that, despite its ambitions, fell flat with audiences and critics alike.

Nonetheless, the franchise regained momentum with the arrival of Saw X, a prequel situated between the first two films. The resilience of the franchise is evident, especially with a character like Logan, who remains the only surviving apprentice of John Kramer. As the lore continues to expand, Jigsaw contributes vital context and narrative depth to the ongoing saga, offering a promising avenue for future explorations.

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