There’s a lot of potential in here that the movie actively seems to squander. Instead of using the readymade protagonist- a female detective who’s been there from the start of your movie- they kill her off for shock value. Instead of focusing on the surprising chemistry of Lynn and Amanda- two people who mix like water and vinegar and are forced together in a hellscape by Jigsaw’s game to fuel some sort of twisted codependency- they focus more on. Jeff. A lethargic in both action and acting asshole who’s manpain dooms several people. Maybe it’s directing, but his actor cannot save this melodrama or make it affecting, instead making him seem petulant and almost reveling in taking his time.

It takes the fun out of the traps, with the least deserving trio of victims under the series’ logic yet, but who get no say in their own fate. And the ending offers no fun nor catharsis as the tragedy it’s going for since the film was reworked from a conclusion into sequel bait. The trio of John, Amanda, and Lynn are strong here. There’s a better movie somewhere in here. But it lacks the DIY scrappy charm of the first film, and the self aware slasher fun of the second. Instead of the fitting ending of a trilogy, Saw 3 is the true beginning of a game that will never end even when the rules say it should have a long time ago.