If it’s Halloween, it must be “Saw.”

For those keeping count, “Jigsaw” is the eighth film in the “Saw” series. The previous film — 2010’s “Saw 3D” — was billed as the final chapter, but, of course, in a horror series, that is never a definite promise. Note how “Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter” was followed by “Friday the 13th: A New Beginning” less than a year after its release.

We surely did not need an additional film, but it certainly does not hurt to have one. If nothing else, “Jigsaw” is an attempt to please fans of the series, and a successful one at that.

The film sets up 11 years after the death of John Kramer, dubbed the “Jigsaw Killer” in the previous films. His modus operandi involved kidnapping individuals who have committed serious crimes and putting them in various, often deadly traps; whether or not they can find the bravery to escape from these traps is a test of their will to live.

In “Jigsaw,” forensic pathologists discover a body whose murder matches Jigsaw’s M.O. This leads them to question whether Jigsaw is actually dead, if these are simply copycat murders, or if one of his apprentices is following in his footsteps, as seen in the fourth through seventh entries.

For two individuals who are completely new to the series, screenwriters Josh Stolberg and Peter Goldfinger have resurrected it quite effectively. The story keeps marvelous continuity with the past narrative and takes full advantage of the opportunity to delve into Jigsaw’s legacy, as well as a bit further into his past. Granted, there are many unexplained plot holes within the film itself, but it is overall enjoyable enough to look past them.

What is most exciting about “Jigsaw” is that the traps here are just as complex, if not more, as the ones in previous films. Much of the film is set in a rundown barn where five criminals, who up until now have gone unpunished, are tortured in various ways, often at the risk of being murdered if they do not comply. These include a blood sacrifice, corrosive acid to the neck, a leg strangulated by sharp wires and more.

Directors Peter and Michael Spierig do a decent job of maintaining the aura of the previous films, although not quite an immaculate job. “Jigsaw” feels somewhat tamer than the rest of the series, with some of the gore appearing unrealistic at times. By “Saw” standards that may mean something, but not by the average horror movie standards; it’s still grisly in excess, and for anyone who appreciates the series, that’s a beautiful thing.

“Jigsaw” isn’t for everybody — in fact, if you haven’t seen the previous films, don’t even bother with it. But for fans of the series, it suffices. It’s far from perfect, but it’s perfectly entertaining, and sometimes, in a Halloween movie, that’s all one really needs.