Se7en [R]

World-weary detective William Somerset is one week away from retirement when the grizzly death of an obese man is brought to him. Also on the case is newly transferred, passionate detective David Mills who hasn’t yet been broken down by the corruption, amorality, and dystopia of the lower state city. When a second death is reported to them, a murder with the word ‘greed’ written in blood at the scene, Mills and Somerset quickly discover the link between the two and the hunt is on for a serial killer modelling his murders on the seven deadly sins. Time is against them to save innocent people, but how can you catch a killer with absolutely no leads? 

It’s rare that a movie made to be so gruesome and grizzly in every way can somehow resemble a work of art. Not necessarily high art, but art nonetheless. David Fincher’s Se7en is a film that intrigues right from the opening credits and the entrapment does not stop for the entire duration! 

World-weary detective William Somerset is one week away from retirement when the grizzly death of an obese man is brought to him. Also on the case is newly transferred, passionate detective David Mills who hasn’t yet been broken down by the corruption, amorality, and dystopia of the lower state city. When a second death is reported to them, a murder with the word ‘greed’ written in blood at the scene, Mills and Somerset quickly discover the link between the two and the hunt is on for a serial killer modelling his murders on the seven deadly sins. Time is against them to save innocent people, but how can you catch a killer with absolutely no leads? 

Everything in this movie is done in a way that just makes you question why would people live and breathe in a place like this? 

Lighting plays a huge role in creating this incredible grunginess and horridness about the city and indeed everywhere! The one place where there is delicate light and obvious beauty is the library! The harsh tones of overcast days are used to great effect and minimal light is used at the various crime scenes in a way that minimises the exposure to the gory images of death but at the same time heightens them. The fact that the camera never lingers on the bodies long enough for you to come to grips with what you’re seeing is a brilliant ploy as well and it’s this jagged camera direction and editing that sets this movie aside from other murder mysteries. 

Whilst all the performances are quite good, hats off has to go to Kevin Spacey who plays the mysterious and insane(?) John Doe. There’s nothing more scary than a person you can’t read and when we consider all the violent murders that Doe commits in the film, Spacey’s nonchalant and sinisterly silky performance brings further icy spinal shivers to your already-quivering body. Think Hannibal Lecter meets Ricky from American Beauty and we’ve got a semblance of John Doe! 

Starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow, R. Lee Ermey, Andrew Kevin Walker, Daniel Zacapa, John Cassini, Bob Mack, Peter Crombie, Reg E. Cathey, Geroge Christy, Endre Hules, Hawthorne James, and William Davidson, Se7en is a chilling and surprisingly well-done thriller that’s filled with murder, gore, culture, mystery, drama, and a memorably climactic ending. It’s definitely not your run-of-the-mill murder mystery; it’s something else!