Spiral: From the Book of Saw" Coming to Netflix: A New Chapter in the Saw Franchise
A highly anticipated horror thriller from the Saw franchise is set to hit Netflix soon. "Spiral: From the Book of Saw," the ninth installment in the series, follows a detective played by Chris Rock as he investigates a Jigsaw copycat. The movie is scheduled to start streaming on Netflix on Thursday, March 19, 2026, marking the return of the franchise after a five-year hiatus.
Directed by Darren Lynn Bousman, who previously worked on Saw II, III, and IV, "Spiral" was brought to life at the request of Chris Rock. The screenplay was crafted by Josh Stolberg and Peter Goldfinger, with Rock also contributing to the production. Original franchise creators James Wan and Leigh Whannell served as executive producers for the film.
The star-studded cast includes Chris Rock as Detective Zeke Banks, Samuel L. Jackson as Marcus Banks, Max Minghella as Detective William, and Marisol Nichols as Captain Angie, among others. Notably, this installment is the first in the Saw series where Tobin Bell did not reprise his role as Jigsaw.
In a 2018 interview, Tobin Bell expressed his willingness to return to the franchise if the story delved into the origins of Billy the Puppet. However, since "Spiral" focused on a copycat killer, there was no room for his character. Bell did eventually return for "Saw X" two years later.
Director Darren Lynn Bousman shared in an interview that he chose not to include Jigsaw in "Spiral" as a sign of respect for the character and the franchise's fans. He emphasized that the movie is the ninth installment but not "Saw 9," acknowledging that Tobin Bell's portrayal of Jigsaw is irreplaceable.
Originally slated for release on October 23, 2020, "Spiral: From the Book of Saw" was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually hit theaters on May 14, 2021. The film received mixed reviews, with a critics' score of 39% on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience rating of 75%. Despite this, it grossed approximately $40 million worldwide, making it the lowest-grossing film in the franchise.
In conclusion, fans of the Saw franchise can look forward to the upcoming Netflix release of "Spiral: From the Book of Saw," featuring a new storyline and a talented cast that promises to deliver thrills and suspense.