'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The Saw franchise created by James Wan and Leigh Whannell has been renowned as a significant horror title, boasting complex plots and extensive traps following the legacy left behind by the figure of the Jigsaw Killer. Each new movie in this series introduces another chapter in the distressing game of life and death organized by the iconic killer, whose real name was John Kramer.
The films are conceptually based on moral reckoning: people being put through horrifying tests to face mistakes they made in the past. The central figure of these tests has undergone development throughout the series with various actors and interpretations adding nuances to the role.
In this article, we'll rank every portrayal of this character from worst to best based on how each version contributed to this dark legacy.
Disclaimer: The ranking is based on the author's personal preferences.
Trending
Every Saw film’s Jigsaw Killer ranked worst to best.
5) Logan Nelson
Introduced as an ex-soldier and medical examiner, Logan Nelson played by Matt Passmore becomes an accomplice to John Kramer. Although Logan is quite competent, having one of the cleanest getaways, little is built on his character as a whole.
The character does not radiate much screen presence, and his motivations are not so engaging, with his backstory being rather bland, making him the least memorable Jigsaw Killer. He appeared in Jigsaw (2017).
4) Amanda Young
Amanda Young, portrayed by Shawnee Smith, is the first accomplice who appears in the series. Having survived her trap, she became a huge fan of John Kramer. On the opposite side, her emotional instability and tendency to create inescapable traps act against Jigsaw's philosophy.
Her character arc is tragic, but her effectiveness as the titular character is compromised due to personal issues. She appeared in the films Saw (2004), Saw II (2005), Saw III (2006), Saw VI (2009), and Saw X (2023) prominently and has influenced the narrative of the other installments as well.
3) Dr. Lawrence Gordon
Dr. Lawrence Gordon played by Carl Elwes in the first film made his return in Saw 3D as an accomplice. The twist in his involvement is that he has been working with Jigsaw behind the scenes.
His return does add up to the surprise element, but his overall impact on the narrative compared to other accomplices is very minimal. He appeared in the film Saw 3D (2010).
2) Detective Mark Hoffman
Detective Mark Hoffman (Costas Mandylor) turned out to be a ruthless and cold-blooded heir of John Kramer. He was a Jigsaw accomplice through several films and nailed the role in terms of brutal efficiency.
However, in comparison with the original character, he lacked that profundity of philosophy that makes him considerably less interesting as a character than the real one, who did not kill for revenge but due to his motives. He has appeared in the films Saw III, Saw IV (2007), Saw V (2008), Saw VI (2009), Saw 3D (2010), and Saw X.
1) John Kramer (Jigsaw)
Of course, John Kramer remains the most iconic and compelling character of the franchise. Tobin Bell's portrayal gives the intricate traps and moralistic motives of John Kramer the foundational setting for the entire series. It is his philosophy of testing people's will to live and his eventful backstory that makes him the most unforgettable and impactful Killer.
He has appeared in the films Saw (2004), Saw II (2005), Saw III (2006), Saw IV (2007), Saw V (2008), Saw VI (2009), Saw 3D (2010), Jigsaw (2017), and Saw X.
From the least impactful Logan Nelson to the iconic John Kramer, the Saw franchise has been made to portray this character in the most diversified way, thus contributing uniquely to the legacy of suspending and horrifying people. Each of them added different flavors to these twisted games of survival.
While characters like Amanda Young and Detective Mark Hoffman, had their intricacies and issues, none were as profound and unsettling as John Kramer. With his unique philosophy and seat-gripping traps, he set the tone for the movie franchise and is, therefore, the most memorable and influential Jigsaw Killer.
The various portrayals of this killer throughout the films reflect changes that the franchise has undergone to keep its storyline special and interesting. As the series continues to intrigue and terrify, so do these killers at its dark allure's core, each leaving their chilling mark on the saga.
