10 Films Where Dead Bodies Were Main Characters

When I first saw the ending of 2004’s Saw, my jaw dropped open as I silently turned off the TV and went to bed. Let this be your spoiler warning before continuing. If you haven’t seen the film, then read no further.

Saw primarily focuses on two men – weasely photographer Adam and near-adulterous Dr. Lawrence Gordon – who awaken in chains in a large bathroom with a dead body between them.

They learn of the danger in which Dr. Gordon’s family is held and how everything relates to the notorious Jigsaw Killer, who likes to play sadistic games with his victims. They make various failed attempts at escape before finally one of Dr. Gordon’s subordinates runs into the room and tells him that it’s time for them to die.

Adam, however, surprises the orderly by smashing his head in with part of a porcelain throne. Lawrence, having sawn his own leg off, crawls away, assuring Adam that he’s going to get help, and Adam is left helpless in his chains.

That is, until the dead body that’s been motionless in the room throughout the whole movie stands up, confirms itself as the real Jigsaw Killer, and walks out of the bathroom after shutting off the lights. What?!

That shocking twist blew every other writer/director out of the water, even M. Night Shyamalan! To know that the killer was in the room the entire time, that at any moment they could have smashed him with a piece of toilet and ended his entire reign of terror is mind-shattering.