Se7en

I’ve never seen this movie before, and I’ve only been briefly told about it by my mother, who referenced the ending. She mentioned that it had a very controversial conclusion, and as someone who really enjoys thrillers and psychological films, she recommended it to me. Other than that, I only knew the “What’s in the box?” meme from Vine back in the early 2010s. I had no idea what the movie was actually about. When I found out it was centered around the Seven Deadly Sins, I was immediately intrigued. I love films that dive into psychological and philosophical themes, so I knew I was in for a ride. Cinematography – 8.5/10 I really enjoyed this film’s cinematography. The visual storytelling was excellent, especially the constant presence of rain, which created an overwhelming sense of gloom and despair. The city felt dirty, lifeless, and hopeless—mirroring the film’s themes of sin, apathy, and moral decay. The color grading was dark and muted, which added to the bleak atmosphere. One thing that stood out was the way director David Fincher used different filming techniques for control and chaos. For instance, in the final confrontation, Fincher deliberately used handheld camera work for the detectives, making their movements feel unstable and erratic, while John Doe’s shots remained static on a tripod, reinforcing his control over the situation. That kind of attention to detail in filmmaking always impresses me. The crime scene shots were also excellent. They never relied on excessive gore but instead showed just enough to leave the rest to your imagination, which somehow made the murders even more disturbing. Pacing – 7.5/10 This movie is just over two hours long, which I personally like because it allows for better world-building, storytelling, and character development. However, I did feel that the first 30 minutes were a bit slow. The introduction of Somerset and Mills and their adjustment to working together felt like it dragged slightly. Once the film really got into the investigation, it became much more engaging. The tension kept building, and the structure of the film—where each murder was revealed methodically—kept me hooked. There were a couple of slower moments in the middle of the film, but they didn’t take away from the experience too much. The final act, though, was absolutely gripping. Emotion – 7/10 The film’s emotional weight mostly comes from its philosophical and religious themes rather than personal character connections. Se7en does an incredible job of making you think about the darkness of human nature and the sins people indulge in. John Doe’s philosophy is terrifying because, in his mind, he isn’t just killing—he’s teaching. The fact that he believes he was chosen by God to make an example out of these people is unsettling. Unlike typical serial killers who murder for pleasure, his methodical nature and twisted sense of justice make him one of the most chilling villains I’ve seen. That said, I didn’t feel much emotional connection to Tracy (Gwyneth Paltrow), even though she plays such a pivotal role in the ending. She barely had enough screen time for me to develop a real connection with her character. However, the emotional punch at the end was strong—watching Mills go from disbelief to rage to pure devastation when he realizes what’s in the box was absolutely gut-wrenching. I do wish there was a little more emotional depth for Somerset as well, but his role was more of a detached observer rather than someone deeply affected. The film is less about personal emotional stakes and more about the overarching theme of morality and sin. Story – 8.5/10 The idea of using the Seven Deadly Sins as the foundation for a serial killer’s motives was brilliant. The film follows two detectives—one at the end of his career, the other at the beginning—as they get tangled in a disturbing series of murders where each victim represents one of the sins:  • Gluttony  • Greed  • Sloth  • Lust  • Pride  • Envy  • Wrath I appreciated how well the murders were executed in a way that fit each sin. The Gluttony and Sloth crime scenes in particular were incredibly unsettling. One of the most fascinating aspects of Se7en is how John Doe ultimately wins. The moment Mills kills him in a fit of rage, he becomes the embodiment of Wrath, and John Doe’s mission is complete. The killer doesn’t need to survive—his legacy is solidified. That kind of ending, where the villain technically achieves his goal, is rare and made the film stand out even more. I also liked the literary references to Dante’s Inferno and Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, which added another layer of depth. Characters – 7.5/10 The three main characters—Detective Mills (Brad Pitt), Detective Somerset (Morgan Freeman), and John Doe (Kevin Spacey)—carry the entire film.  • Brad Pitt as Mills – He plays the young, hotheaded detective well. He’s passionate and impulsive, and his emotions ultimately lead to his downfall. Pitt nailed the final scene, showing Mills’ complete breakdown as he realizes he’s been manipulated.  • Morgan Freeman as Somerset – The wise, methodical, and world-weary detective. While Freeman delivers a solid performance, I don’t think it’s one of his best roles. He plays a very reserved character, and at times, I felt a different actor might have brought more emotional weight to the role. I could have seen someone like Laurence Fishburne or Mahershala Ali bringing more gravitas to the performance.  • Kevin Spacey as John Doe – • Kevin Spacey as John Doe – His performance was chilling. The fact that John Doe is so calm and calculated makes him even more terrifying. He doesn’t scream, he doesn’t rage—he just delivers his lines with a quiet, eerie confidence. His entrance into the film—turning himself in, covered in blood, mid-investigation—was such a power move. It completely shifted the tone of the film and put the detectives on the defensive. His meticulous nature reminded me a lot of Keyser Söze from The Usual Suspects (also played by Spacey). I found the religious fanaticism angle particularly unsettling—he truly believes he was chosen to cleanse the world, and that kind of conviction makes him even more disturbing. While I don’t personally agree with stories where people justify violence in the name of God, I do find it fascinating when films explore religion as a psychological motivator. John Doe sees himself as an agent of divine justice, which makes him far more terrifying than a typical serial killer who simply enjoys murder. Score – 7/10 The score wasn’t particularly standout, but it did its job well. The use of industrial and ambient sounds added to the film’s oppressive, eerie tone. I liked the way the opening credits sequence used Nine Inch Nails’ “Closer” remix, setting the mood for the unsettling story ahead. The music during the climax—when the tension is at its peak—was also effective. That being said, this isn’t a soundtrack I’d go out of my way to listen to outside of the movie. It enhances the film but doesn’t necessarily stick with you the way some other thriller scores do. Overall Rating – 4/5 Stars I genuinely enjoyed Se7en. It’s dark, disturbing, and thought-provoking, which is exactly what I look for in psychological thrillers. The film’s themes of sin, justice, and human nature were handled incredibly well, and the ending was one of the most memorable and gut-wrenching conclusions I’ve seen. Would I recommend it? Absolutely—but only to people who enjoy dark crime thrillers. It’s not an easy watch, and the themes can be unsettling, but if you like movies that make you think, this is a must-see. I will definitely revisit it in the future. Film Details  • Director: David Fincher   Cast:  • Brad Pitt as Detective David Mills  • Morgan Freeman as Detective William Somerset  • Kevin Spacey as John Doe  • Gwyneth Paltrow as Tracy Mills   Score Composer: Howard Shore