What happens when a film is released in which viewers expect a major twist? It could result in a wholly predictable film that surprises no one, or it could result in “Saw III.”The “Saw” trilogy came to an end Friday with the final installment, which successfully continued the series’ trend of surprising and intriguing viewers.

Also known for its immeasurable gore, a horror fad shown through the popularity of copy-cat films such as “Hostel” and “The Hills have Eyes,” “Saw III” amped up the gore factor to conclude the series, which concerns twisted games meant to teach the victims lessons and make them appreciate life.

The filmmakers also created a conclusion that puts the prior two films’ surprising endings to shame. Whereas the preceding films ended with surprising twists, the entirety of Saw III” appeared to be one big twist.

With so many in Hollywood looking for the easy money by making sequel upon sequel, especially in horror franchises such as the 11-film “Friday the Thirteenth” and the eight-film “Nightmare on Elm Street” series, it is refreshing to see a successful horror franchise end on a high note instead of beating its premise into the ground.

And “Saw III” certainly ended on a high note.

Starting exactly where it left off, “Saw III” begins with the story line of newly imprisoned “Saw II” character Eric Mathews, played by Donnie Wahlberg (“Annapolis” and “Dreamcatcher”).

After a signature gory opening in which a number of loose ends are dealt with, the film delves into the main story.

Jigsaw, played by Tobin Bell (“The Quick and the Dead” and “The Firm”), is sick and with the aid of his supposed successor Amanda, played by Shawnee Smith (CBS’s “Becker” and “The Island”), enlists the help of a surgeon named Lynn, played by Bahar Soomekh (“Mission: Impossible III” and “Crash”).

Lynn must keep Jigsaw alive until the end of a test, in which he wants a man to find the courage to forgive those involved in the death of his son. The man, Jeff, played by Angus Macfadyan (“Equilibrium” and “Braveheart”), must battle through a series of tests where he can either help or let the men and women, who in some way, are related to the man who killed his son, die.

But it is after Jeff’s escape from the film’s initial test that the primary test takes shape and the twist, that is the entire film itself, is finally realized.

“Saw III” may not be for the faint of heart because of the amount of blood, nudity and swearing, but it is a well-done film nonetheless.

It’s sad to see such an original and creatively twisty film series end, but to know that this is how the series will be remembered, it is nice to see it go out with a bang.