The film begins with two strangers, Adam Stanheight (played by Leigh Whannell) and Dr. Lawrence Gordon (played by Cary Elwes), waking up in a grimy, dilapidated bathroom with no memory of how they got there. They discover that they are part of a sadistic game orchestrated by a serial killer known as Jigsaw, who forces his victims to make life-or-death decisions to survive.
As Adam and Lawrence try to piece together their circumstances, they find a cassette tape and a microcassette recorder. The tape reveals Jigsaw’s instructions: Lawrence must kill Adam by 6 p.m. or his wife and daughter will die, while Adam must escape the room to avoid being killed.
Meanwhile, flashbacks reveal that Lawrence’s family has been targeted by Jigsaw, who believes that Lawrence does not appreciate his life and career as a successful surgeon. As Lawrence desperately tries to find a way out of the room, Adam uncovers clues that suggest Jigsaw has been monitoring their every move.
As the tension mounts, Lawrence realizes that he and Adam are being watched by a man in a pig mask, who is revealed to be the real Jigsaw killer. It is also revealed that Jigsaw has been lying in the room with them the entire time, posing as a dead body.
In the climax of the film, Lawrence realizes that the key to their escape lies in sawing off his own foot, which he does in a desperate bid for freedom. Adam is left behind as Lawrence crawls away to seek help.
The film ends with Lawrence crawling out of the bathroom and screaming for help, setting the stage for the sequels in the “Saw” franchise.
Overall, “Saw” is a gripping and intense horror film that explores themes of survival, morality, and the consequences of one’s actions. With its clever plot twists, visceral gore, and psychological terror, it has become a cult classic in the horror genre.