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Plot Summary

Read the complete plot summary and ending explained for Jigsaw (2017). From turning points to emotional moments, uncover what really happened and why it matters.


The film opens with an intense pursuit as police chase after a criminal named Edgar Munsen. After a dramatic crash into police cruisers, Edgar escapes to a rooftop, clutching a trigger while surrounded by officers. He demands the presence of Detective Halloran, who arrives just as the other officers point their guns at Edgar. In a chilling standoff, Edgar insists Halloran must decide who will die; otherwise, he himself will perish. Just as Halloran is about to act, Edgar pulls the trigger, resulting in the cops shooting off his hand and destroying the trigger. Despite Halloran’s attempts to prevent it, another shot rings out, leaving Edgar fatally wounded. In his last breath, he cryptically announces, “the game has begun.”

The narrative shifts to a grim chamber where five individuals, including Anna, Carly, Mitch, and Ryan, find themselves shackled to a wall with buckets obscuring their heads. A sinister recording from Jigsaw plays, outlining that in order for them to survive, blood must be shed. As they are dragged inch by inch towards menacing buzz saws, Anna manages to free herself after inflicting a wound on her arm. She urges the others to do likewise, while Carly is unexpectedly attacked from behind. The fifth participant, unaware of the impending danger, is brutally killed.

Meanwhile, a jogger stumbles upon a grisly scene—a corpse hanging from a bridge, head covered with a bucket. This discovery leads to the morgue, where forensic pathologists Logan Nelson and Eleanor Bonneville examine the remains, quickly joined by Halloran and his partner Detective Hunt. They uncover horrific clues: the victim’s head has been severed and a chunk of flesh, cut into a jigsaw shape, is missing. A recording hidden in the corpse’s neck eerily states, “now there are only four left.”

The remaining victims are transported to a barn where their chains continue to threaten their survival. As tensions escalate, they discover that one among them—Carly—holds a grim secret of theft that links her to an innocent life lost. In a frantic test orchestrated by Jigsaw, they are forced to choose between an antidote and two lethal alternatives. Carly’s refusal to act leads to a horrific demise when Ryan injects her with all three solutions, resulting in agonizing death while freeing himself and the others.

Detective Halloran’s investigation reveals further horrors, including a woman whose face has been ravaged by acid. As the plot deepens, the remaining three participants confront the burden of their past transgressions, leading to a series of harrowing trials and confessions that culminate in acts of betrayal and sacrifice. In a moment of desperation, Ryan’s attempt to escape results in severe injury, while Anna and Mitch fight for survival against a cascade of pointed obstacles.

The tension escalates with the reappearance of Edgar, who has vanished under mysterious circumstances. Desperate for answers, Halloran initiates a search for Jigsaw’s grave only to find Edgar’s body instead. This revelation hints that Jigsaw’s intricate web of deceit is far more convoluted than initially understood.

As Logan and Eleanor dig deeper into the disturbing legacy of Jigsaw, they uncover sinister motives tied to Halloran’s actions, which now seem suspect. In a gripping turn of fate, the audience views the ultimate downfall of each character, where Mitch’s life hangs in the balance while Anna and Ryan grapple with the twisted morality of their past decisions.

Eventually, the film reaches its climax in a basement where Halloran and Logan are ensnared with devices rigged to kill. With a final recording, they face an agonizing choice that tests their morality. As the laser devices activate, Logan’s haunting confession reveals his tragic mistake that altered lives forever. Halloran is left to confront the damning truth of his profession—a final betrayal that propels him toward a gruesome fate.

In a shocking twist, the orchestrator of these harrowing scenarios reveals his real identity and the motivation behind them. As Halloran meets his grisly end, Logan emerges as the newest bearer of Jigsaw’s dreadful legacy. With a chilling declaration, he pronounces, “I speak for the dead,” leaving the narrative wrapped in darkness, duplicity, and moral reckoning.

Timeline

Follow the complete movie timeline of Jigsaw (2017) with every major event in chronological order. Great for understanding complex plots and story progression.


Police Chase Begins

The film opens with a high-octane police chase after the criminal Edgar Munsen. The escalating pursuit leads to a dramatic crash involving multiple police cruisers as Edgar attempts to evade capture.

Standoff on the Rooftop

After escaping the crash, Edgar finds himself on a rooftop surrounded by law enforcement. In a tense standoff, he demands the presence of Detective Halloran while clutching a trigger, forcing the officers to rethink their strategy.

Rooftop

Deadly Decision

Edgar insists that Detective Halloran must decide who will die, otherwise he will perish himself. Just as Halloran is about to act, Edgar abruptly pulls the trigger, resulting in chaos as bullets fly.

Rooftop

Edgar's Last Words

As Edgar lies fatally wounded, he cryptically states, 'the game has begun,' hinting at the sinister events to follow. This moment sets the stage for the unfolding mystery surrounding Jigsaw's deadly games.

Rooftop

Victims Shackled

The narrative shifts to a dim chamber where five individuals, including Anna, Carly, Mitch, and Ryan, find themselves shackled to the wall with their heads covered. A recording from Jigsaw plays, outlining the grim necessity that blood must be shed for survival.

Chamber

Desperate Measures

As the victims are dragged towards buzzing saws, Anna manages to free herself by inflicting a wound on her own arm. She urges the others to follow suit, revealing the desperation of their situation.

Chamber

First Blood

Carly is unexpectedly attacked from behind during the chaos, leading to panic among the group. Meanwhile, a fifth participant meets a brutal fate, unaware of the impending danger and the stakes involved.

Chamber

Gruesome Discovery

A jogger discovers a corpse hanging from a bridge, leading to a shocking investigation. Forensic pathologists Logan and Eleanor, along with Detective Halloran, uncover disturbing evidence linked to Jigsaw's deadly games.

Bridge

Tensions Rise

The remaining victims are transported to a barn where their chains threaten their survival further. The group's dynamics shift when Carly's dark secret about theft comes to light, complicating their chances of escape.

Barn

Horrific Test

In a frantic test orchestrated by Jigsaw, tensions escalate as the group faces a choice between an antidote and lethal options. Carly's refusal to choose results in her excruciating death and a scramble for survival among the others.

Barn

Revelations and Confrontations

Detective Halloran's investigation uncovers more horrors tied to Jigsaw. The remaining participants confront their past transgressions amidst a series of trials that lead to shocking betrayals and sacrifices.

Various Locations

Edgar's Return

In a shocking twist, Edgar reappears after having seemingly vanished. Halloran’s search for answers leads him to discover Edgar’s lifeless body, revealing a greater complexity in Jigsaw’s web of deceit.

Graveyard

Ultimate Betrayal

As Logan and Eleanor delve deeper, they uncover connections that cast doubt on Halloran's integrity. The three remaining participants are haunted by moral dilemmas stemming from their past choices.

Climactic Confrontation

The narrative culminates in a basement where Halloran and Logan are caught in deadly devices. With laser traps activated, the tension builds as they are forced to confront their past actions and the impact of their decisions.

Basement

New Legacy of Jigsaw

In a shocking twist, the true orchestrator reveals his identity as Logan, who embraces Jigsaw's legacy. With his chilling declaration, 'I speak for the dead,' the film ends, leaving the audience grappling with themes of darkness and morality.

Characters

Explore all characters from Jigsaw (2017). Get detailed profiles with their roles, arcs, and key relationships explained.


Detective Halloran (Callum Keith Rennie)

Detective Halloran is a determined and morally conflicted investigator deeply entrenched in a hunt for Jigsaw. His character grapples with professional integrity as the investigation reveals troubling truths about his past. Over the course of the story, he is forced to confront his own failings, leading to a devastating reckoning.

🕵️‍♂️ Detective ⚖️ Morality 🎭 Complex

Anna (Laura Vandervoort)

Anna is a resilient character who showcases remarkable willpower as she navigates the high-stakes trials set by Jigsaw. Her determination to survive leads her to take drastic measures, showcasing both strength and vulnerability. Throughout her ordeal, Anna's choices reflect the complexities of survival and morality in desperate situations.

🔗 Survivor 🩸 Resilience 🎭 Complex

Carly (Brittany Allen)

Carly is portrayed as a conflicted individual grappling with guilt over her past and the choices she faces in Jigsaw's game. Her refusal to act in crucial moments ultimately leads to her tragic fate. Carly embodies the struggle between self-preservation and the burden of her own conscience.

💔 Conflict 🙁 Guilt 🎭 Tragic

Jigsaw, John Kramer (Tobin Bell)

Jigsaw, the twisted mastermind behind the deadly games, is a character who operates with a skewed sense of justice. Motivated by a desire to teach others the value of life, his methods are ruthless and calculative. His chilling presence looms large throughout the film, influencing the actions of all characters as they confront their darkest secrets.

🧩 Villain 🎭 Manipulative ⚖️ Morality

Logan Nelson (Matt Passmore)

Logan Nelson is a forensic pathologist who finds himself entangled in the horrors of Jigsaw's legacy. His character confronts personal demons as he uncovers dark secrets while trying to aid in the investigation. Logan's evolving role leads to a shocking climax that reshapes his moral compass.

🔬 Forensic 🎭 Evolving ⚖️ Morality

Eleanor Bonneville (Hannah Emily Anderson)

Eleanor is a keen and resourceful forensic pathologist working alongside Logan. Her determination drives her to dig deeper into the disturbing clues left by Jigsaw, revealing a complex interplay of intellect and courage. Eleanor's character adds depth to the exploration of morality and justice amidst chaos.

🔬 Forensic 🎭 Resourceful 🧩 Mystery

Setting

Learn where and when Jigsaw (2017) takes place. Explore the film’s settings, era, and how they shape the narrative.


Time period

The movie unfolds in a contemporary setting, aiming to highlight modern societal issues and the moral complexities faced by its characters. This time period allows for advanced forensic techniques juxtaposed against primal survival instincts.

Location

Grim chamber, Morgue, Barn, Basement

The grim chamber is a haunting place where victims are subjected to cruel trials, reflecting the malevolent designs of Jigsaw. The morgue serves as a chilling backdrop for forensic examinations, unveiling the twisted aftermath of the games. A barn becomes the desperate setting for surviving participants, confined and faced with lethal choices. Finally, the basement intensifies the terror with rigged devices that challenge moral boundaries.

🏚️ Horror 🏢 Crime 🏞️ Mystery

Themes

Discover the main themes in Jigsaw (2017). Analyze the deeper meanings, emotional layers, and social commentary behind the film.


⚖️

Morality

The theme of morality is intricately woven throughout the film as characters confront their past transgressions in life-and-death scenarios. This exploration of morality raises questions about justice, guilt, and redemption in the face of Jigsaw's cruel tests. Ultimately, each character's decisions lead to profound consequences that challenge their ethical choices.

🩸

Survival

Survival is at the core of the characters' harrowing journey, forcing them to make excruciating choices that blur the line between life and death. As they navigate Jigsaw's deadly traps, their instincts for survival drive them to betray, sacrifice, or even harm one another. This relentless pursuit of survival reveals the depths of human desperation.

🔍

Investigation

The investigation theme plays a critical role as Detective Halloran and forensic pathologists sift through gruesome evidence to uncover the truth behind Jigsaw's games. Their quest reveals not only the perpetrator's identity but also deep-seated connections between the victims and their pasts. The unfolding investigation amplifies the suspense and tension throughout the narrative.

Jigsaw Ending Explained

Unravel the ending of Jigsaw (2017) with our detailed explanation. Understand the final scenes, character fates, and unresolved questions.


The ending of Jigsaw reveals complex twists that deepen the story of the infamous Jigsaw killer. The film is told through two timelines: one set in the past, before John Kramer’s death, and another in the present, a decade after his demise. In what appears to be a continuation of Kramer’s philosophy, the story unveils that the farm sequence, which features a series of deadly traps, was actually Jigsaw’s very first game. This was his attempt to reenact his own retribution and to reflect on the importance of appreciating life, targeting flawed individuals who had committed sins. These victims were chosen because they had avoided facing the consequences of their actions. The farm was owned by Kramer’s wife, who was later killed in the series, linking Kramer’s personal history to his deadly pursuits.

The twist about John Kramer’s return is that he’s alive and actively orchestrating the new game himself, contradicting what was previously thought—that he had died. The film also reveals a second major twist concerning the real identity of the copycat killer. It turns out that Logan Nelson, a hospital pathologist and Kramer’s former apprentice, is actually the mastermind behind the revived Jigsaw. Logan’s motivation was revenge on Detective Halloran, who had previously let murders slip away and was responsible for his wife’s death. Logan meticulously recreated Kramer’s early traps and used doctored evidence to frame Halloran, aiming to enact his own form of justice by recreating the original game and getting revenge.

As the story concludes, Logan manipulates Halloran into a final deadly trap, a laser-based execution where Halloran is forced to confess his sins before being killed. Logan then reveals his true plan—his revenge scheme and his identity as the true Jigsaw copycat—by having Halloran’s confession recorded and then slicing his head with the laser. The film’s clever use of dual timelines emphasizes that the initial farm game was actually Kramer’s first step in his journey, and the current game is a replication of that. In the end, Jigsaw challenges the viewer to reconsider the nature of justice and retribution, with Logan emerging as a new, dangerous inheritor of Kramer’s legacy, hinting at the potential for future stories involving his character. The film’s ending thus redefines the franchise’s mythology, blending past and present to show how Kramer’s deadly philosophy persists beyond his death.

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