For those who are into the ‘torture-porn’ franchise and its many sequels, Spiral introduces undercover Homicide Detective Ezekiel ‘Zeke’ Banks (Chris Rock), son of retired police chief Marcus Banks (Samuel L. Jackson), and his rookie partner Detective William Schenk (Max Minghella). Openly criticized by his boss, Capt. Angie Garza (Marisol Nichols), for not being a team player, wisecracking Zeke has been ostracized by many coworkers for ratting out a crooked colleague who routinely lied on the witness stand 12 years ago.
Zeke’s currently investigating a series of macabre murders that are eerily reminiscent of the city’s gruesome past involving deathtraps devised by notoriously sadistic John Kramer—a.k.a. Jigsaw. A Jigsaw copycat is targeting, torturing, and killing corrupt cops in Zeke’s precinct, leaving behind Tiffany-blue boxes containing severed body parts as ‘souvenirs,’ along with a grotesque pig mask. An avid fan of the Saw franchise, actor/comedian Chris Rock was signed to executive produce, star, and help write the story with Josh Stolberg and Pete Goldfinger.
Director Darren Lynn Bousman (Saw sequels II, III, and IV) propels the plot along with cinematographer James Oram, best known for Drake’s music videos. The problem is: held back a full year because of COVID, the concept seems dated, considering the current focus on police reform and the ramifications of police brutality. The conclusion —having a Black man die at the hands of the police—is repugnant. And there’s no way in today’s political climate that Zeke’s reprehensible behavior could be considered acceptable. Frightening with gory, repellent depravity, it’s destined to gross out the squeamish. Optional. (S. Granger)