Michael Emersonhas been reflecting on his role as the ‘villain’ of 2004’sSaw, revealing that he couldn’t refuse his role due to the script’s ending. Emerson is known for many roles, including that of another conflicted character, Benjamin Linus inLost, but when it came to starring inSaw,the actor starred in the film for the simple reason that the film’s ending was “the best ending” he had ever read.
As a seasoned cinephile with a penchant for the macabre, I can attest that Michael Emerson’s portrayal of Zep Hindle in Saw was nothing short of chilling. Having had the privilege of witnessing some of the most complex character arcs on Lost and Evil, it’s always intriguing to see an actor tackle a role as multi-faceted as Zep.
As I sat down with Collider to discuss my chilling portrayal of Dr. Leland Townsend in the gripping TV series ‘Evil’, I found myself reflecting on another terrifying role I played – Zep Hindle in the iconic horror film, ‘Saw’. The intriguing ending of ‘Saw’ was what initially drew me to James Wan’s then-independent project featuring horror’s most ingenious “non-killer”. However, I must confess that the experience itself wasn’t particularly enjoyable for me. It’s all about the power of a captivating script when it comes to taking on such dark and intense characters.
The shooting process was tough, and watching the resulting movie is equally challenging, yet it was an exhilarating journey. I’m relieved I made it through. In my opinion, it had the most impressive ending of any film script I’ve encountered, which is why I decided to go ahead with it.
In the movie, Emerson brings Zep to life, who seems to be the abductor of Dr. Gordon (Cary Elwes) and Adam (Leigh Whannell). As they work on finding a way to break free from this malicious game, Zep watches them through security cameras and takes further actions like capturing Gordon’s wife and daughter, psychologically tormenting them. However, when Zep enters the bathroom where Adam and Gordon are held captive and attempts to complete his final task, it’s disclosed that he too was a victim of the true Jigsaw. A lethal substance coursed through his body, and the only way to survive was by following instructions, receiving an antidote in return.
In a contemplative moment, Emerson ponders over the untimely demise of his character. Interestingly, Zep’s body reappears in subsequent films within the series, but the actor himself was unaware of this plot twist because he never watched any of the other movies in the franchise. He made this statement:
“I’ve only watched the original series in this franchise. None of the spin-offs have crossed my path yet. It seems fitting for such a massive franchise to retain an ‘origin sanctum,’ if you will. Rest in peace, old Zep.”
Why Was Saw’s Ending So Good?
Emerson makes a valid observation when he praises the ending of the movie ‘Saw’ as exceptional filmmaking. Yet, it’s not just the finale that stands out. Leigh Whannell’s script, co-created with James Wan, skillfully blends elements of traditional thriller plots and intense horror scenes often referred to as “torture porn.” The movie effectively transformed the character of Jigsaw, played by Tobin Bell, into a chilling figure. This character provided questionable individuals an opportunity for redemption within the story. Over time, Jigsaw has become a horror legend due to his knack for incorporating intricate, lethal traps throughout the numerous sequels of ‘Saw.’
Even though no sequel to “Saw” would have been conceivable without its stunning finale, the climactic twist is one of those rare instances that happen just once in a decade and leaves audiences stunned. This twist, which remains one of the most iconic movie twists ever, was set up right from the start of the film with a corpse lying on the bathroom floor where Dr. Gordon and Adam were being held captive. However, it is only in the final moments that we see this corpse rise from the ground, revealing that the real Jigsaw had been there, watching the “game”, all along. This shocking revelation ensured Jigsaw’s return, and he has made numerous appearances across various sequels, even after his character’s death in “Saw III”.
Saw
is available to stream on Max.
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2024-08-26 00:31