Max Minghella: I that guy who sh know what he’s I didn’t want to be ows up and doesn’t getting into
As Spiral: From The Book Of Saw discovers more from the film’s di Lands in cinemas, Danielle de Wolfe rector and star-studded cast.
SEVENTEEN years ago, two strangers woke up as hostages on a dank and bloodied bathroom floor.
With little to no recollection of how they arrived there, a dark and twisted tale of torture and reprisal slowly unravelled. And so began the Saw film franchise. With his red eyes, clownish appearance and decidedly sinister catchphrase, ‘I want to play a game’, Saw’s twisted protagonist Jigsaw swiftly became one of horror’s most nefarious masterminds.
Now, returning for a ninth instalment, Spiral: From The Book Of Saw sees the framework of the original film transferred into a new stand-alone offering.
“I started reading the script on the plane and I was like, ‘Holy s**t, this is a Saw movie!’ recalls returning director Darren Lynn Bousman, the grisly mind behind Saw II, Saw III and Saw IV.
“It was called Organ Donor; it didn’t say Saw on it, it just said ‘Organ Donor’. That was it.”
Brought to life by Bousman, 42, Spiral stars Oscar nominated Snakes On A Plane actor Samuel L Jackson as Marcus, a celebrated former police captain and the father of Detective Zeke Banks, played by comedian and Everybody Hates Chris actor, Chris Rock.
“I got a phone call from [production company] Twisted Pictures’ Mark Burg and he said, ‘Hey, I sent you a script. I need you back in LA immediately, we’re having you meet with Chris Rock,’” recalls Bousman.
“I said, ‘Who’s Chris Rock?’ I didn’t even process it was that Chris Rock.”
A self-confessed horror fan, Rock, 56, was quick to embrace the gruesome underworld of Saw.
“His knowledge of horror always impresses me,” says Bousman of the comedian.
“He was a huge fan of Saw II specifically, which is crazy, ‘cuz that’s the one I wrote and directed. He would always reference it in the meetings.
“I was blown away. I was like, ‘This guy likes my stuff!’
“A lot of people give lip service and say, ‘I’m a genre fan’, but the reality is they don’t watch horror.
“Chris is not that guy at all. Spiral also sees The Handm star Max Minghella as William a young police officer partnered Detective Banks, alongside Riv Marisol Nichols as Captain Ang
Taking place years after Jig reign of terror has finally come the film opens with detectives b copycat killer is on the loose.
Blending the essence of a bu drama with staggering levels of creativity where torturous trap concerned, the script was quick the eye of English star Minghel says there remains a “real appe the franchise.
“I didn’t want to be that guy shows up in the ninth movie an know what he’s getting into,” sa Minghella, 35, of joining the pro
“I really wanted to educate and have as much context as po
“It’s a real tribute to the str the franchise that it’s been able for nine movies now. Very, very stories can continue for that lon
“It just says a lot about the mythology of it.”
Horror aside, it was the scri central police theme that prove hook for Minghella.
“I love horror movies, but I drawn to the detective/buddy co
who d doesn’t ays oject. myself ssible. ength of to go on few g.
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was really p element. I feel like they don’t make a lot of these anymore.”
Noting films including Eddie Murphy’s classic cop-comedy 48 Hours are “ingrained” in his DNA, Minghella says he “grew up watching these films obsessively, and missed them. I feel very nostalgic for them.”
The Saw universe is one held in equally high regard by Minghella’s costar Marisol Nichols, 47.
Noting she was “familiar with the franchise” prior to filming, the Riverdale actress describes the films’ signature human traps as “a whole different character in themselves”.
The franchise’s success proved “a little bit of pressure”, but Nichols relished tackling the project.
“I love a challenge. Bring it on; let’s go. There’s nothing like diving in the deep end and flying by the seat of your pants,” she declares.
She brings that enthusiasm to police captain Garza, a woman charged with running a maledominated police unit.
“I didn’t want it to be a novel thing, like, ‘Ooh, isn’t that a fun idea, they made a woman a police captain,’” says Nichols.
“I wanted it to be real. And I wanted to honour that.
“Who would she have to be to be able to command this testosterone filled department, have them respect her, have them obey her? And do it without losing compassion that a female does add to that.”
Despite pandemic-related cinema closures, Spiral: From The Book Of Saw is still expected to be box office gold.
“What I think is cool about this movie is it works numerous different ways,” says Bousman.
“It works if you’ve never seen a Saw movie, and it works if you’ve seen all of them.” Describing the new slasher as a member of the “metaverse”, Bousman points out the similarities with Marvel or Conjuring universes. “It’s a stand alone film. It’s not a sequel. It’s not a reboot. It’s not a reimagining,” he adds. “If you’re a fan of the franchise and you’ve seen all eight, come into this, you’ll see a tonne of easter eggs.”