2025/04/03 by Kathryn D. Coduto · 1 voice
Psychology · Social Sciences · #Crime Patterns and Interventions #Crime, Deviance, and Social Control #Sexuality, Behavior, and Technology
paper · doi:10.1080/15405702.2025.2515082
openalex publication_date 2025/04/03 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/15
A content analysis of the original seven Saw films was conducted to test morality and justice within the franchise. Scenes were coded for graphic violence and length of violence; characters were coded for morality and whether or not they received a just ending. The results suggest that Saw presents numerous ambiguous scenarios for its viewers to grapple with, especially important in the wake of the War on Terror that influenced the films. Specifically, onscreen violence increases following the first movie and stays constant throughout the rest of the franchise, with the longest scenes of violence occurring midway through the franchise. Results also show that Saw does not adhere to the just world hypothesis: some individuals get what they deserve, some do not. Violent set pieces and unjust outcomes are hallmarks of the Saw franchise.