Best in Show: Saw Franchise's Feistiest Fighters (Pt. II of II)

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5. Mallick (Saw V) - Fire Cover Up Group
While initially shaken by the situation, Mallick quickly turned into a character viewers could root for. An addict in need of salvation, Mallick was placed among the Saw V group of schemers and scammers for essentially causing the fire that led to the cover up. Mallick definitely had some wavering moments, but his ability to outlast, guided by Brit, lead to his salvation. His ultimate willingness to follow through on plans and never back down are inspiring and horrifying at the same time.


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4. Xavier Chavez (Saw II) - Nerve Gas House

Saw II had plenty of haphazardly stumbled through the nerve gas house just praying they'd survive. Their meekness, weakness and general unwillingness to actively follow through led to many of them succumbing. The fact is outside of Amanda Young and Daniel Matthews who stood out for their partnership, Xavier Chavez was the only real potential survivor. Easily one of the series most villainous characters, Chavez was brutal and fully willing to do anything it took to live. He openly criticized, manhandled and eventually attacked the others in the home. He also scores additional points for figuring out the code to escape.

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3. Lynn Denlon (Saw III) - Shotgun Collar

Using her intelligence to defy all expectations, Lynn Denlon was the star of Saw III. Wearing a shotgun collar, the doctor was charged with operating on Jigsaw, all while a crazed Amanda Young stood by anxious and aggressive. However, Denlon's calm demeanor and ability to charm kept her on Jigsaw's good side and eventually, succeeded in her task. Unfortunately the increasingly unhinged Young cost her everything and blew her own test in the process; killing the empowered Denlon in the process. Denlon was one of the most intelligent and poised in the franchise and deserved more than her sad end.

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2. Brit (Saw V) - Fire Cover Up Group

Instantly acting as the more level-headed, driven partner of Mallick, Brit is one of the series more underrated characters. She was able to make it to the end with little to no help from others and near consistently kept her cool. She's a rare leader in a collection of more sheepish characters. Her awareness, determination and aggression all help her survive in the end. While Mallick may have been a surprise survivor, no one should have ever doubted that Brit would walk out in the end.

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1, Allison Kerry (Saw I, II, III) - Angel Trap

Similar to Daniel Rigg, Allison Kerry is often ignored in the pantheon of great Saw characters; this supporting protagonist actually had quite a run in her. Not only did she eventually go all in on her trap, but this perceptive detective drew conclusions and made decisions others ignored or couldn't make. Had it not been for an unbeatable trap, Kerry probably could have become an impressive force against Jigsaw and his network of minions. She's a bit relentless, but engaged in her career, she's a perfect character who- like Denlon - had a future. You know, if Amanda hadn't unfairly worked to take it away.

Best in Show: Saw Franchise's Feistiest Fighters (Pt. I of II)

With Jigsaw coming out on the 27th, horror fans everywhere will surely crowd to theaters to see if the creators have been able to recapture the glory of the gory and over-the-top franchise. Nostalgia runs deep in the franchise that led many audiences through their teen years, and in this, characters like Amanda Young, Jill Tuck, Mark Hoffman and Lawrence Gordon are sure to remember. Their perseverance, trickery and sometimes, villainy have turned them into the faces of the series. But what about the more minor characters - the fierce and combative survivors and victims who gave their all in their limited screen time? That's what this list is dedicated to: the feistiest fighters in the Saw series. Whether they lived, or they died, these non-essential characters gave their all to make it one more day.

(sawfilms.wikia.com)

10. Morgan (Saw IV) - Spike Trap

Maybe not the strongest character, but this middle-aged woman was quite determined to survive. Not only was she forced to overcome the traumatic abuse caused by her husband, but she also had to drag giant rods through her body. She's a really interesting character even if her role is minor, because she is a true survivor. Her years of wearying experience amassing around her, her will to live eventually grant her the power to overthrow them. Her story is heartbreaking, her determination inspiring and her ending, at least relatively happy.

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9. Simone (Saw VI) - Pound of Flesh

Who would have thought that winning a reality shows would lead to such a memorable minor role in a Saw film. But, Tanedra Howard's winning performance in VH1's Scream Queens, proved that the aspiring actress could carry her own in a series overflowing with forgettable blood and guts. Her blind willingness to take on her money lender partner, Eddie, with such conviction is pretty impressive. While he chops away at pieces of flesh, she cuts off her arm in a grotesque scene of courage and pure adrenalin - iconic.

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8. Daniel Matthews (Saw II) - Nerve Gas House

Some may suggest that Daniel Matthews, son of Detective and main character Eric Matthews, was somewhat dragged to the end of Saw II. Especially given the assistance of Amanda Young, it's easy to overlook this teenager's perseverance. But, for all his lack of big, swift decisions, is a really young kid who manages to outlast a bunch of full grown adults. Matthews goes through a huge ordeal in the trap his father indirectly led him into. Paying for the sins of a parent is hard, surviving it all should have been impossible.

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7. Daniel Rigg (Saw II, III, IV) - Saw IV Series

Daniel Rigg never truly got the chance to shine. Sure his major role in Saw IV helped him build a presence, but by that point his constant appearance meant nothing but bad news. He's truly one of the more morally superior characters to grace the series and despite eventually meeting his end by not following directions exactly; he manages to save a few lives. Rigg is one of those characters who, in the long run of the series is quickly overlooked for bigger names who carry over to multiple films. But, in Saw IV he is the star and deserves to be recognized as such.

(sawfilms.wikia.com)

6. Debbie (Saw VI) - Steam Maze

Did Debbie last very long? Maybe not. But in her defense, she managed to make it through her entire trap before being tripped up by an additional twist. Easily one of the most all-in victims in Jigsaw's games, Debbie absolutely loses it, showcasing her level of tenacity. Debbie is one of the franchises greatest raging psychopaths. The flames in her eyes are brighter than any flames in the boiler room she finds herself in, and by the time her impending death finally hits her, it's an explosion of intensity.

 

The Overlook: Clown

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With all the clown hysteria and talk revolving around the It remake, audiences looking for some craving satisfaction should look toward a recent release, Clown. Directed by Jon Watts (Cop Car), this film follows a husband who tries on a cursed clown costume that begins melding into him. Trying to remove the costume, the man disfigures his body. Then, as the haunted costume begins to possess him, things spiral out of control. Viewers can expect blood, gore and a lot of cringe-worthy moments, especially considering Eli Roth's attachment as a producer. Clown stars Andy Powers (In Her Shoes) as the father, Kent and Laura Allen (The 4400) as his wife, Meg.

As noted, this film is gore-to-the-floor. From his transformation to his eventual attempts at removing the costume, including a red nose removal, Clown will have you cringing in your seat. It is amazing that a story that starts off with wanting to make their child happy on their birthday, spirals so far out of control. Even the lighting of this film is sure to induce nausea as Kent faces the very real possibility that he is losing himself to a demonic clown presence. The film truly takes a turn after the reveal that Kent's possessed by an evil demon seeking children to eat. After a series of failed attempts and multiple butcherings, audiences can expect their stomachs to be well-turned.

This film is disturbed. For those looking for no catches and a simple movie without more dilemma, this is not it. The way to stop this an-eating clown is with the consumption of children, after all, and it should go without saying that the difficult decisions Meg makes will be turn offs for some. It's a relentless little film that packs a hammering punch. Like many gore-horror, there is little redemption, even in the closing scenes of Clown.

Clown, taken lightly can be a fun, dark jaunt into an alternative world of terrifying jest visuals and stark portraits of humanity. The acting, at times isn't the greatest, but it's certainly not the worst. For people looking to fill some sort of clown quota and are unable to sit through the three-hour It film, they should look for this movie. Because, like the demon at the center of Clown, audiences seem to have an undeniable craving for off-putting costumes and terrifying scenes of jesters and children.