The Representation of Violence and Injustice in Saw (2004) Movie: A Forensic Linguistics Perspective
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24256/ideas.v14i1.7538Keywords:
Forensic Linguistics, Injustice, Representation, Saw (2004), ViolenceAbstract
Following Stuart Hall's theory of representation, this research uses forensic linguistics to examine how violence and injustice are represented in the Saw (2004) movie. The research aims to uncover how language is used to construct ideological meanings surrounding violence and injustice in the film. Using a qualitative descriptive method and content analysis, the research focuses on the dialogues, monologues, and narrative elements in Saw (2004) that reflect acts of physical and verbal violence, discrimination, and violations of human rights. The findings reveal that language is employed not merely to drive the plot, but to shape psychological manipulation, moral dilemmas, and systems of control. Jigsaw’s use of commands, threats, and rhetorical devices portrays violence as moral retribution, while injustice is masked through coercive choices and oppressive structures. Forensic linguistic markers such as modality, imperative forms, metaphor, and evaluative language play a central role in constructing these representations. This research contributes to forensic linguistics and English education by demonstrating how language in popular media can encode power relations and ideological messages, highlighting the need for critical media literacy in academic settings.
References
Abduh, N. K., & Masruddin, M. (2023). Structural Studies of Robert Stanton in The Folklore of Luwu (Worongporong dan Pariama). IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature, 11(1), 117-126.
Ananda, D. C., & Wibowo, A. A. (2022). ANALISIS SEMIOTIKA: REPRESENTASI KETIDAKADILAN KORBAN PERPELONCOAN PADA FILM “PENYALIN CAHAYA.” ORASI: Jurnal Dakwah Dan Komunikasi, 13, 251–261. https://doi.org/http://dx.doi.org/10.24235/orasi.v13i2.11062
Anantatur, R. D., & Asfar, N. A. (2021). Policespeak and Narrative Storytelling in Knives Out Movie Script (A Forensic Linguistic Perspective). IJFL (International Journal of Forensic Linguistic), 2(2), 59–68. https://doi.org/10.22225/ijfl.3.1.4977.59-68
Benedetti, N., & Queralt, S. (2023). A literature review of the role of forensic linguistics in gender-based violent crimes in italy: Supporting legal professionals and providing scientific evidence. Revista de Llengua i Dret, 79, 140–157. https://doi.org/10.58992/rld.i79.2023.3857
Bordwell, D., & Thompson, K. (2008). Film Art: An Introduction. McGraw Hill. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=g6ZAAQAAIAAJ
Eysenck, M. W., & Keane, M. T. (2015). Cognitive Psychology: A Student’s Handbook. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315778006
Goldstein, E. B. (2019). Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research, and Everyday Experience. Cengage. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=ZyNGuwEACAAJ
Hall, S., Evans, J., & Nixon, S. (2013). Representation: Cultural Representations and Signifying Practices. SAGE Publications. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=4rGrKQEACAAJ
Halliday, M. A. K., & Matthiessen, C. M. I. M. (2013). Halliday’s Introduction to Functional Grammar. Taylor & Francis. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=odUqAAAAQBAJ
Hermayanthi, G. B. (2020). Representasi Kekerasan Pada Anak Dalam Film Miss Baek (Analisis Representasi Stuart Hall) [Universitas Islam Indonesia]. https://dspace.uii.ac.id/123456789/31116
Martinez, V. R., Somandepalli, K., Singla, K., Ramakrishna, A., Uhls, Y. T., & Narayanan, S. (2019). Violence Rating Prediction from Movie Scripts. AAAI Special Technical Track: AI for Social Impact, 33(1), 671–678. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1609/aaai.v33i01.3301671
Natalie, D., & Haryono, C. G. (2024). Representation Of Violence In The Film Malignant 2021. Informatika Dan Sains, 14(02). https://doi.org/10.58471/infosains.v14i02
Nurgiyantoro, B. (2018). Teori Pengkajian Fiksi. Gadjah Mada University Press. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=p4JqDwAAQBAJ
Olsson, J. (2008). Forensic Linguistics: An Introduction To Language, Crime and the Law. Bloomsbury Publishing. https://books.google.co.id/books?id=7HRJDwAAQBAJ
Prayogo, F., Angela, C., Budiana, D., Komunikasi, I., Kristen, U., & Surabaya, P. (2018). Representasi Kekerasan Dalam Film “The Secret Life Of Pets.” Jurnal E-Komunikasi, 6(2), 1–12. https://publication.petra.ac.id/index.php/ilmu-komunikasi/article/viewFile/8273/7467
Ramezani, F., Sani, A. K., & Moghadam, K. (2016). SOCIAL SCIENCES & HUMANITIES Forensic Linguistics in the Light of Crime Investigation. Pertanika J. Soc. Sci. & Hum, 24(1), 375–384. http://www.pertanika.upm.edu.my/resources/files/Pertanika%20PAPERS/JSSH%20Vol.%2024%20(1)%20Mar.%202016/21%20JSSH-1246-2015.pdf
Salkie, R. (2011). The Routledge handbook of forensic linguistics (Routledge Handbooks in Applied Linguistics) by Malcom Coulthard; Alison Johnson. Journal of Linguistics, 47, 709–714. https://doi.org/10.2307/41261774
Sandelowski, M. (2000). Focus on research methods: Whatever happened to qualitative description? Research in Nursing and Health, 23(4), 334–340. https://doi.org/10.1002/1098-240x(200008)23:4<334::aid-nur9>3.0.co;2-g
Saskhia, R., & Suranto, A. (2021). Analisis Semiotika Representasi Ketidakadilan Gender dalam Film “Moxie.” Jurnal Ilmu Komunikasi, 4(4). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.21831/lektur.v4i4.18542
Setiawan, E. I., Masruddin, M., & Zainuddin, Z. (2023). Semiotic Analysis and Ethnography Study on the Implementation of Local Wisdom in Economic Field at Luwu Society. IDEAS: Journal on English Language Teaching and Learning, Linguistics and Literature, 11(2), 1912-1925.
Siregar, S., Effendi, Z., & Mardiyah, S. A. (2020). A Comparison of the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavior Therapy and Assertive Training Against the Ability to Control Violent Behavior in Schizophrenic Patients. Jurnal Ilmu Kesehatan Masyarakat, 11(3), 210–222. https://doi.org/10.26553/jikm.2020.11.3.210-222
Smith, E. E., & Kosslyn, S. M. (2009). Cognitive Psychology: Mind and Brain. Pearson Prentice Hall. https://books.google.ie/books?id=YIPSNwAACAAJ
Triantono, T. (2023). Feminis Legal Theory dalam Kerangka Hukum Indonesia. Progressive Law and Society, 1(1). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.14710/pls.20744
Walliss, J., & Aston, J. (2012). “I’ve never murdered anyone in my life. The decisions are up to them.”: Ethical Guidance and Cultural Pessimism in the Saw Series. Journal of Religion and Popular Culture, 24(3), 352–364. https://doi.org/10.3138/jrpc.24.3.352
Wehde, W., & Downey, C. D. (2024). Review of Saw IV: Extreme Violence, Ethics, and Street-Level Bureaucracy. Public Integrity, 26(1), 138–141. https://doi.org/10.1080/10999922.2022.2125910
Wulan, S., Nurhasanah, & Sahri, Z. (2023). Ecocritcism On Kumandra as Environmental Sustainability in Raya And The Last Dragon. Metathesis: Journal of English Language, Literature, and Teaching, 7(1), 74–85. https://doi.org/10.31002/metathesis.v7i1.339
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
Citation Check
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Az Zahra Rizani, Moh. Iqbal Firdaus, Eka Ugi Sutikno
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under an Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC BY-SA 4.0) that allows others to share the work with an acknowledgement of the work's authorship and initial publication in this journal.
Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See the Effect of Open Access)
