Before watching Saw X, it is helpful to have some background knowledge of the Saw franchise. Here are some things to know:

• The plot: Saw X takes place between the events of the first and second Saw movies, and focuses on the origin story of the infamous Jigsaw killer, John Kramer.

• Jigsaws ideology: Despite claiming to despise murderers, Jigsaws ideology revolves around pushing people to appreciate life through near-death experiences, making him a complex and morally ambiguous character.

• Detective Hoffman: An apprentice of Jigsaw, Detective Hoffman could play a significant role in Saw X, continuing the rivalry between him and Amanda, Jigsaws first apprentice.

• The traps: The Saw franchise is notorious for its convoluted torture-based traps, and Saw X is no exception.

• Jigsaws backstory: Saw X sees John Kramer diagnosed with cancer and seeking alternative treatment in Mexico, which leads to the setup of a new game of traps where everyone who did him wrong must find the will to live to escape.

• Previous movies to watch: While watching all the Saw movies is not necessary, it is recommended to watch the first and third movies, as they are essential to understanding the plot of Saw X. The sixth movie is also recommended, as it is directed by the same director as Saw X and has a scene that serves as plot set-up to Saw X.

It is also worth noting that the Saw franchise is known for its gore and practical blood effects, so viewers should be prepared for that. However, watching the previous movies is not necessary to understand what is happening in Saw X.