Year: 2020
Runtime: 87 min
Language: Hungarian
Director: Kurtis David Harder
A new wave of terror descends as a copycat killer begins replicating Jigsaw’s signature traps, plunging the city into chaos. As detectives investigate the increasingly elaborate and deadly games, they race to identify the perpetrator and stop the escalating violence. The team must decipher the killer's motives and connection to the original Jigsaw before more lives are lost in this latest chapter of the brutal series.
Warning: spoilers below!
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Read the complete plot breakdown of Spiral (2020), including all key story events, major twists, and the ending explained in detail. Discover what really happened—and what it all means.
As the cinematic experience unfolds, we find ourselves immersed in the vibrant atmosphere of a street festival, where Detective Marv Boswick’s day tragically takes a turn for the worse. A cunning thief manages to snatch away his belongings, prompting Boswick to chase him through the twisting streets, eventually leading into the depths of the city’s sewer system. This gripping pursuit culminates in a brutal showdown, leaving Boswick unconscious on the cold, damp ground beneath him.
Upon regaining consciousness, Boswick discovers himself precariously situated on a stool, bound by razor wire, his tongue ensnared in a gruesome device. A television screen ominously flickers to life, revealing a bone-chilling video message from an unknown sender, eerily echoing the notorious Jigsaw killer. The message delivers a haunting indictment, condemning Boswick for utilizing his tongue to mislead and harm the innocent in court, now forcing him into a horrific predicament: either tear out his own tongue or be “railroaded” by an approaching subway train.
As the fateful moments play out, Boswick’s desperate struggles prove in vain as the train barrels toward him, extinguishing not just his hopes but also his very existence. The scene dramatically transitions to Zeke Banks, an undercover officer immersed in a chaotic robbery attempt gone awry. With escaping under duress from law enforcement, it becomes apparent that Banks’ cover has been compromised, leading him to return to his previous role as a detective. Assigned a rookie partner, William Schenk, by Captain Angie Garza, Banks faces the challenge of adapting to the hostile dynamics within the precinct, particularly due to the resentment stemming from his past actions against a corrupt officer.
As the investigation into the subway’s horrifying discovery unfolds, Banks and Schenk remain oblivious to the chilling connection to Boswick’s gruesome demise. Their unlikely partnership faces tests of loyalty and integrity amidst a tangled web of deceit, corruption, and the very essence of justice. A cryptic package arrives for Banks, containing a USB drive with a sinister message from this new incarnation of Jigsaw, alongside a pig marionette donned in police attire. The message is a revelation of a perverse mission: to reform the police department through a series of gruesome murders, culminating in a distressing symbol of a spiral inscribed on the courthouse wall – an omen of the impending chaos.
Following this distressing revelation, the police department is thrown into turmoil, leading to a grim discovery at the courthouse: Boswick’s tongue and badge, signaling the killer’s direct targeting of the force. In the midst of personal loss, Banks pays a solemn visit to Boswick’s grieving widow, all while navigating a turbulent argument with his ex-wife at the funeral.
As the narrative unfolds, flashbacks reveal the profound complexities of Banks’ history, including the pivotal moment when he bravely testified against corrupt officer Pete, fostering a fraught legacy that haunts his relationship with his estranged father, Marcus. Meanwhile, Detectives Kraus and Fitch tirelessly pursue the lead on Boswick’s final chase, only to discover they’ve been outmaneuvered by an adversary lurking in the shadows.
The tension intensifies as Banks seeks guidance from Marcus, only to find him missing. A flashback unveils Marcus’ disapproval of Banks’ courageous decision regarding Pete, illuminating the deep-seated resentments that linger between them. The ritualistic horror of the Jigsaw killer continues, plunging the precinct into a downward spiral of violence and manipulation that has them grappling with their ideals of justice.
As the investigation unearths more gruesome evidence, the police converge on a stark reality — their colleague Fitch finds himself ensnared in the killer’s merciless game, forced to face the consequences of his own dark past. Meanwhile, the stakes rise as Schenk becomes further embroiled in the unfolding chaos, ultimately leading Banks to confront moral dilemmas that challenge the very fabric of his belief system.
In the chaos, he uncovers the horrific truth about his newest partner, Schenk, revealing him as the orchestrator of this tormenting game, whose vendetta runs deep against the corrupt law enforcement system. Schenk unveils a well-crafted plan for justice twisted by personal vengeance, ultimately leading Banks into a harrowing experience as he grapples with the ramifications of his actions.
With the race against time peaking, Schenk presents Banks with a heart-wrenching choice between saving his father or putting an end to the madness. As the police arrive, a tragic confrontation ensues, leading to an emotional climax that tests Banks’s convictions and brings forth haunting consequences of betrayal, revenge, and ultimately the relentless pursuit of justice in a corrupt world.
Last Updated: November 16, 2024 at 19:40
Still wondering what the ending of Spiral (2020) really means? Here’s a spoiler-heavy breakdown of the final scene, major twists, and the deeper themes that shape the film’s conclusion.
In the final moments of Spiral, the true identity of the killer is revealed: William, Zeke’s partner, faked his death and was the mastermind behind all the murders. Throughout the film, William leaves spiral symbols at the crime scenes, which he considers a sign of change and progress, believing that his murderous actions are justified acts of justice aimed at cleaning up police corruption. The film hints that William’s motivation stems from a deep resentment toward the corrupt police system, which he blames—particularly its former chief, Marcus, Zeke’s father—for the systemic abuse and his personal loss. William’s actions are a twisted attempt to rectify those wrongs, targeting police officers he believes are guilty of injustice, while sparing the honest ones like Zeke. His final reveal shows that he engineered a ruse, faking his death and secretly continuing his killing spree under the guise of the Jigsaw-inspired murderer. William’s goal was to forge a new kind of justice, one that involves constant evolution and change—symbolized by the spiral—and he saw Zeke as a potential ally in this ongoing cycle of retribution. The ending leaves open the possibility of future threats, as William is still at large, and it suggests that Jigsaw’s deadly ideology has inspired a new generation of killers, capable of continuing the cycle of violence in subsequent films.
Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 08:44
Don't stop at just watching — explore Spiral in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Spiral is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.
Track the full timeline of Spiral with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.
Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape Spiral. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.
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