ContraPoints (Natalie Wynn), “Saw” (2026)

In this video essay about the popular and provocatively violent Saw franchise, a cycle of contemporary horror movies, Natalie Wynn (known professionally as ContraPoints on her YouTube channel of the same name) discusses the use of violent punishment tropes in film, and the ethics of sadistic pleasure in entertainment.

As the murderous protagonist of the Saw films employs a form of contrapasso in the punishment of his victims, Wynn compares examples of contrapasso from the Commedia with the Saw films, shock cinema in general, and mainstream family comedy films, and explores the possible intentions of these creators.

She questions why sadism intended to disgust an audience, which provokes alienation from the protagonist, is considered less ethical than retributive violence presented as punishment for wrongdoing, which invites enthusiastic participation.