One Location, Infinite Profits: The Financial Success of ‘Saw’(2004)
The movie was filmed in 18 days at a warehouse (Lacy Street Production Center) in Los Angeles, with a modest $1 million budget but achieved a global box office collection of $103.9 million.
Fresh out of university, James Wan, a director, and Leigh Whannell, a writer and actor, both from Australia, arrived in America on a mission. Armed with a script in one hand and a short film highlighting a scene from their screenplay in the other, they set out to find a producer and investor to back their creative vision.
“Watch a five-minute short and go: Yeah, I get what the film’s about,” Whannell told AV Club in 2010.
The narrative was fresh and distinct for its time. In essence, two strangers awaken in a bathroom, both bound by their ankles to pipes on opposite sides of the room. At the centre lies a lifeless body amid a pool of blood, alongside a gun and a cassette player. The recording on the cassette unveils the grim reality that they must engage in Jigsaw’s deadly game to secure their survival. Unlike typical slasher films targeting teens, “Saw” introduces John Kramer, a sadistic serial killer known as Jigsaw. He imposes rules on his victims, aiming to test their will to appreciate life.
Eventually, They find themselves at a crossroads, presented with two choices: either sell their script to a larger studio, secure some funds to produce another project, or choose the latter and collaborate with a smaller film company. This decision opens the door to the chance of making Wan’s directorial debut and showcasing Whannell’s acting skills.
During its inception, even the producers were uncertain about the film’s outcome; their primary goal was to create a movie and recoup their invested capital. However, The film’s claustrophobic atmosphere became a cultural phenomenon, leaving a lasting impact. It marked the entrance of a fledgling director, writer and actor into the film industry. The movie’s conclusion is marked by a twisted climax, encapsulated by the haunting phrase “GAME OVER.”
Looking back, the movie’s success is evident in its ability to reflect societal and individual anxieties. In 2004, the horror genre that had long lingered in the underground suddenly found acceptance among mainstream audiences. The film’s release coincided with a time marked by war and allegations of torture in Iraqi prisons, possibly influencing its reception. Genre films, particularly horror, can mirror social and political anxieties that conventional dramas may not promptly address. Films featuring torture may serve as a subconscious outlet for expressing societal apprehensions, especially during times of conflict.
While “Saw” gained financial success and became a prominent topic in popular culture, it also faced criticism and earned the label of “Torture-porn.” Despite differing opinions, financial gains and cultural relevance do not always translate to critical acclaim. The “Saw” franchise’s role in a larger movement cannot be denied, emphasising that success in the industry may not always align with critical recognition.
To learn more about Wan and Whannell’s story, check out the full interview on the AV Club in 2010. It thoroughly explores their journey, offering readers a deeper understanding of their experiences and insights.
A box office collection of $103.9 million represents gross profit. Therefore, After subtracting entertainment tax, distributor fees, advertisement costs, the share of the theatre owner, and all other expenses, it’s safe to estimate that a quarter of box office collection constitutes net profit. This could be one reason that the producers chose Canada to produce the next movie, SAW II (2005), to enjoy The Canadian Film or Video Production tax credit.
SAW II was filmed over 25 days at The Cinespace Film Studios in Toronto. While the initial movie focused more on psychological horror, subsequent films in the series took a grittier turn. Each instalment in the series became a dramatic race against time, with escalating levels of violence surpassing its predecessor.
The saying remains accurate: “You can’t have a franchise unless the second movie works.” Saw II generated $153 million worldwide on a $4 million budget, proving that the first film’s success was not accidental. This success paved the way for additional entries in the SAW franchise.
While not all SAWs are categorised as one-location movies, this Excel file presents comprehensive details on each film, including cast, crew, budget, and box office information.
