The film is a horror film based on the short film of the same name. Despite receiving mixed reviews from the critics, the film was a financial success at the box office and was liked by the audiences. The popularity of the film resulted in five lucrative sequels. The film was made on a small budget and is believed to have grossed huge profits.

The story is about two men who get kidnapped and find themselves waking up in a dilapidated bathroom, chained and next to a dead body. They are instructed on the rules of the game to escape via a cassette recorder. There are brutal killings by Jigsaw and the police detectives investigate and try to capture him in the meantime.

The plot is quite interesting and keeps the audience glued. There is no melodrama in the movie and the film directly jumps into the story. It is about two men who realize that one of them has to kill the other within six hours in order to save his wife and child. They are trapped and get audio directions via a tape recorder to escape. The story is how they find out a way out of the trap to escape and save each other. The story is extremely gripping and interesting.

Although well accepted by the audiences, the film was criticized for its gruesome graphic violence and is suggested only for adults. There is a smart use of expensive looking visual effects and this was greatly appreciated. The suspense is maintained well and the audiences kept guessing. Overall, it is a refreshing and cynical film only for adults.