The phenomenon The game of fear started on 2004 with a low-budget film by James Wan. With the main action taking place in a small room and two strangers trying to figure out how and why they got there, Jigsaw’s twisted universe captivated a large portion of audiences and critics. As the franchise progressed, we learned more about John Kramer, the individual behind the kidnappings and the elaborate traps used to punish those who, in his eyes, wasted their lives. So if you need to stay up to date or just want to revisit the franchise, you’ve come to the right place a list where you can watch all the films Seen and its chronology.
Seen: Films in order of release and where to see them
The game of fear (Director: James Wan, 2004)
Lawrence Gordon and Adam Stanheight wake up tied up in a room with a dead body in the middle of the room. None of them know why they are there, but they are soon contacted by someone who tells them that they must “play” to get free. In addition to his freedom, Gordon must follow the clues scattered around the room to save the lives of his wife and daughter, who are threatened by the same man who is holding him captive.
Where can you see it? Prime Video, Lionsgate Plus and HBO Max.
The Fear Game II (Director: Darren Lynn Bousman, 2005)
Here we learn a little more about John Kramer’s philosophy: Kramer, suffering from cancer, disapproves of people not taking advantage of their lives and works to punish them. In this sequel, we not only see a group of strangers solve clues in search of their freedom, but we also learn that Amanda, a character from the previous film who successfully escaped one of Kramer’s traps, has become his student and assistant. The John.
Where can you see it? HBO Max and Lionsgate Plus.
The Fear Game III (Director: Darren Lynn Bousman, 2006)
The puppet master behind the clever, complicated games that terrorized an entire community and baffled the police has once again evaded capture and disappeared. This time, Amanda takes the reins of the game and forces a surgeon to operate on John Kramer’s tumor. Here we also meet detective Mark Hoffman, who will be a recurring character in future episodes.
Where can you see it? HBO Max and Lionsgate Plus.
The fear game IV (Director: Darren Lynn Bousman, 2007)
More murders and new detectives trying to stop Jigsaw. In this film we meet the character of Jill Tuck, Kramer’s ex-wife. Through flashbacks, a new part of John’s story is revealed to us: an assault led to Jill losing the baby she and John were expecting, which led to a change in Kramer’s mentality.
Where can you see it? HBO Max and Lionsgate Plus.
The Fear Game V (Director: David Hackl, 2008)
In the fifth film in the series, Detective Hoffman, the last living person tasked with maintaining Jigsaw’s legacy, finds his secret threatened and must go on the hunt to clear up unanswered questions. At the same time, we learn more about several people from John’s past who are involved in new death traps.
Where can you see it? HBO Max and Lionsgate Plus.
The Fear Game VI (Director: Kevin Greutert, 2009)
With the FBI hot on his trail, Detective Hoffman is forced to launch a game that will finally make sense of Jigsaw’s grand plan after his death. In it we follow a corrupt insurance agent who cheated Kramer out of his health insurance during his battle with cancer. With his ex-wife’s involvement, further clues to the drama in John’s personal life are revealed.
Where can you see it? HBO Max and Lionsgate Plus.
The Fear Game VII: The Final Chapter (Director: Kevin Greutert, 2010)
As the deadly battle for Jigsaw’s inheritance comes to an end, we meet a supposed survivor of the Traps who lied to gain fame and fortune. But the lie becomes reality and the man now has to face one of the sadistic games.
Where can you see it? Available for digital rental/purchase on Prime Video
Jigsaw: The game continues (Director: Michael and Peter Spierig, 2017)
Bodies have been turning up all over the city. As the investigation continues, the evidence points to this Modus operandi by John Kramer, who has been dead for more than ten years. As for the core gameplay, the film introduces us to a new group of strangers who wake up not knowing why they were kidnapped. This time the traps are in an isolated barn. We also accompany new detectives who try to find out what is happening.
Where can you see it? Available for digital rental/purchase on iTunes, Prime Video, YouTube and Google Play.
Spiral: The game of fear continues (Director: Darren Lynn Bousman, 2021)
A spin off the world of Seen and the first film in the saga without Tobin Bell. Here we follow Detective Zeke Banks (Chris Rock) as he searches for clues to catch a murderer who seems to be copying Jigsaw’s style, both in brutality and drama. Along the way, he discovers secrets from his past that could change his view of what he thought was true.
Where can you see it? Prime Video.
Seen (Director: Kevin Greutert, 2023)
In the new installment of the franchise, John and Amanda travel to Mexico to try an experimental treatment to cure John’s cancer. However, after discovering that the treatment was a scam, John will demand “justice” as usual.
Where can you see it? In Mexican cinemas from September 28, 2023.
Chronology of the films Seen (according to the dates in the fiction)
Trying to explain all the events of the saga in order is a complex task, as most films rely on numerous events Flashbacks to gradually provide new information about John Kramer and the characters who had to do with him in one way or another.
It’s a good idea to review all the installments in the order they were released and be careful to fill in the gaps. However, we can endeavor to list the saga in chronological order in fiction, according to the main narrative thread told in each part.
- The game of fear
- Seen
- The Fear Game II
- The Fear Game III And The fear game IV (occur at the same time)
- The Fear Game V
- The Fear Game VI
- The Fear Game VII
- Jigsaw: The game continues
- Spiral: The game of fear continues
Do you dare to play?
