Context

This line was spoken by Jigsaw in the film Saw, directed by James Wan (2003).

In 2004, a young director named James Wan breathed life into the dying horror genre with a little indie movie called Saw. Unlike its six too many sequels, Saw isn't all about blood, guts, and dismemberment, even if the opening scene is filled with a few staples of horror movies—like a bathtub, a dead body, and, of course, a hacksaw.

No, the Jigsaw Killer (we won't spoil his true identity for fear of our own existence) is all about getting inside your noggin' via his own patented and playful mind games. And this is where the quote, which becomes his catchphrase throughout the movie, comes in.

Jigsaw isn't your average serial killer. He is a man dying from cancer, who wants to teach people how to value life, albeit in pretty gruesome ways. If his victims die, then they are lacking the "survival instinct." It's like a video game. Solve his traps and puzzles, and you live another day. Flinch or make a mistake, and it's game over.

Where you've heard it

Along with "What's your favorite scary movie?" from Scream and "Ki ki ma ma" from Friday the 13th, this quote has been used by teenagers everywhere to get a quick scare out of their friends since 2004. Also, it's a perfectly innocuous way to start a game of Apples to Apples at a party.

Additional Notable References:

• "I want to play a game" ends up becoming the "I got a bad feeling about this" or the "Shaken, not stirred" of the Saw franchise. It most memorably shows up in Saw III with a whole room of chainsaws.
• If you want to capture some of the visceral thrills of the Saw movies without losing a limb, you can go on the ride, which happens to be the steepest roller coaster in Europe.

Pretentious Factor

If you were to drop this quote at a dinner party, would you get an in-unison "awww" or would everyone roll their eyes and never invite you back? Here it is, on a scale of 1-10.

The pretentiousness level of this quote definitely depends on your delivery. In an even tone, you're just transitioning the dinner party from drinks to poker or charades. In a creepy, wannabe Tobin Bell tone of voice, you're a scary person that no one wants to talk to for the rest of the night.