Jigsaw Puzzles in the Movies!
10 Films Where Jigsaw Puzzles Play a Key Role
Jigsaw puzzles aren't just a relaxing pastime—they've also served as powerful symbols and plot devices in cinema. From mysteries to thrillers, these puzzles have often been used to represent the fragmented nature of life, the complexity of the human mind, or as literal challenges for characters to solve. Here are ten films where jigsaw puzzles take center stage, contributing significantly to the story.
1. Puzzle (2018) - A woman discovers her talent for solving jigsaw puzzles, leading her on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment as she redefines her life and relationships.
2. Citizen Kane (1941) - In this iconic film, Susan Alexander Kane, the protagonist's second wife, obsessively works on jigsaw puzzles, symbolizing her isolation and the fragmented nature of Kane's life. You can watch the scene here online.
3. The Lady Vanishes (1938) - A jigsaw puzzle plays a critical role in this classic Hitchcock thriller, showcasing a character’s attention to detail, which becomes vital to solving the central mystery.
4. Saw (2004) - The Jigsaw Killer, infamous for his deadly traps, uses puzzles both literally and metaphorically to challenge his victims to fight for their survival.
5. Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) - In this Woody Allen film, a character's attempt to solve a jigsaw puzzle mirrors the complex emotional entanglements and life choices faced by the ensemble cast.
6. Fracture (2007) - A jigsaw puzzle is used as a metaphor for the intricate and cerebral legal battle between a cunning murderer and the prosecutor determined to bring him to justice.
7. Shutter Island (2010) - A jigsaw puzzle is symbolically tied to the protagonist's fractured psyche as he uncovers the dark secrets of the island and his own mind.
8. Sleuth (1972) - The jigsaw puzzle is used as part of a mind game in this psychological thriller about a cat-and-mouse game between two men.
9. The Shadow in the North (2007) - This period mystery drama features a scene where a jigsaw puzzle is used to reveal a crucial piece of evidence.
10. Candleshoe (1977) - In this family adventure film, a jigsaw puzzle holds clues that lead to a hidden treasure within a grand estate.
Whether serving as metaphors for the complex human condition or as central elements in thrilling mysteries, these films demonstrate the cinematic power of jigsaw puzzles. They invite us to piece together not just the picture on the board, but also the deeper layers of meaning within each story.
