Sunday Scaries: Bring On ‘Saw XI’ and Hopefully More Time with Tobin Bell

The Sunday Scaries are upon us once again! Yes, as the weekend concludes, most of us feel an oncoming sense of anticipatory dread about the week ahead. Anxiety about work manifests itself into a feeling that’s known as the Sunday Scaries. However, we at Awards Radar are here to combat that, by taking back the name. Now, we want you think about a horror-centric piece on the site when you hear the term. So, let us continue on with another installment of the Awards Radar Sunday Scaries! Today, we’re celebrating the just announced next film in our favorite film franchise…

For those of you who missed the news (here), Saw XI is on the way. It wasn’t a huge surprise after the success of Saw X, but it’s still thrilling for folks like myself (Kendall and Myles too, obviously). The franchise is somehow at what feels like its strongest, creatively speaking. The days of it being a box office juggernaut are long gone, but as modestly budgeted and solidly profitable genre fare, it’s on as firm legs as ever.

Of course, I’m a longtime Saw fan. My ranking (here) of the franchise should speak to that, as well as the fact that I sought out a musical parody (here). I’m an easy target for a new installment, but my standards are high. 2024 is going to be a good year for horror (check back in a few weeks for a piece on that), with Saw XI almost certainly my most anticipated now.

As a reminder, Saw X pleased me quite a bit. My review (here) includes the following:

The Saw franchise has shown incredible life over the years. What was just a small independent horror film has now become one of the biggest properties in the genre. After going nonstop for over half a decade, there were pauses, but it always comes back to Saw. While both Jigsaw and Spiral: From the Book of Saw weren’t quite able to relaunch it back to its horror heights (though the latter is one of the best films they’ve done), Saw X has a great chance to do it. By going back to its roots, namely with the return of Tobin Bell, this is what many have been asking for. The results are deeply satisfying, provided that this is your sort of thing.

Saw X is both old and new, which very much works in its favor. Taking place in the early days of the series, when the central character was still alive (remember, there have now been seven follow ups to the third installment, where he died), this one is able to fill in blanks, while also telling a different kind of a story. Here, you’re with Bell’s character throughout, which is a notable difference. Not only is his presence a real boon to the work, it almost makes for a bit of nostalgia. Overall, this is an upper echelon Saw film.

There’s so many options for where this next installment will go, but Tobin Bell should be back, at least for one more times. More likely than not, it’ll be another prequel, but anything is possible. We’re gonna have a new set of writers (or a writer), with the directorial choice unknown, but the hook of seeing where the series progresses at this point is quite enticing.

If nothing else, this could be a proper farewell for Bell. Unquestionably the MVP of the property, a flick that again showcases him and lets him go out with a bang would be something. Frankly, it’s expected. I’m sure that’s what’s going to happen, but until details actually emerge next year, it’s largely just speculation.

We won’t know much about Saw XI for a while, but again, color me excited. Next year, prepare for Kendall, Myles, and I to podcast about it, of course. It’s gonna be another celebration, so prepare yourself accordingly…

Stay tuned for another Sunday Scaries installment next weekend!