Tobin Bell on 20 Years of ‘Saw’ Success: ‘It’s a Visceral Experience You Can’t Control’

"Saw" celebrated its 20th anniversary with a special screening at Beyond Fest followed by a Q&A with Bell, fellow actor Cary Elwes, screenwriter Leigh Whannell, and the film's producers.

While Tobin Bell had a long career of background roles, bit parts, and supporting characters in film and television before fully breaking out as John “Jigsaw” Kramer in the long-running “Saw” franchise, he understands why it took so long for him to enter the public conscious as an artist. Speaking to the Los Angeles Times for a recent interview in honor of the film’s 20th anniversary, Bell shared his view of why scary movies as a whole have such power over people.

“It’s a visceral experience that you can’t control,” he said. “You’re not just sitting, passively watching. All of a sudden you [jumps up from his chair, startled]. Some people like that. Not my cup of tea, necessarily. When I was a kid I didn’t like going to horror films. As soon as the scary part of a film would come up, I’d be down behind the seat.”

In reference to “Saw” specifically and how he relates to his character — someone who insists on eliciting fear from his victims — Bell explained that Jigsaw is rooted by his worldview, which allows him to feel authority over the people he brutalizes.

“John feels that the world has been taken over by mediocre people,” said Bell. “He believes we all have to deal with the consequences of what we create. And that these people are not appreciative of what they have.”

Bell has starred in plenty of projects between each new entry in the “Saw” franchise, but recognized how many of these roles land in the “bad guy” category as a result of the part that made him famous. Even so, having been in the business for almost 50 years, Bell understand that being typecast doesn’t have to be a burden.

“If within being pigeonholed I can create a rich acting experience — which is why I became an actor — pigeonhole me, go ahead,” he said to the LA Times. “It’s every artist’s responsibility to create within whatever is given to him and it’s my job to change your perception of me. If you want to perceive me in a certain way, maybe you’ll see me differently when you see the next film.”

As for the future of the “Saw” franchise, the 11th entry is already in the works with Bell heavily involved once again. He said of the expanding on his character, “I’m really excited about continuing to develop him. John Kramer is not done. There’s more to learn.”