“There are seven deadly sins, captain. Gluttony…greed…sloth, wrath, pride, lust, and envy. Seven. You can expect five more of these” – Morgan Freeman, Se7en (1995)
As a film lover and aspiring filmmaker, I worship the works of David Fincher. With that being said, it took me way too long to watch Se7en (1995). When I watched it for the first time four years ago, I knew a new door had unlocked in my mind. Crime drama and horror had intersected in ways I had never encountered before.
*Details of the murders not included to preserve the surprises for anyone who has not seen the movie
The movie begins with Detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) entering his final week in homicide before retirement. At a crime scene later that morning, he meets Detective David Mills (Brad Pitt), his replacement. It is Mills’ first day at his new precinct in the city. Somerset is training Mills during this transition week, and he is not confident that Mills has the right demeanor for the job. He advises Mills to just watch and listen, which is met with resistance.
The next day, the two are called to another crime scene. They enter the apartment of a man who has died an unusual death. After some disagreement over the nature of the death, the captain assigns the case to Mills in light of Somerset’s approaching retirement. The next morning, a high-profile attorney is found murdered in his office. When Mills is called to the scene, he finds the word “GREED” written in blood on the floor. This detail is brought to Somerset’s attention. With the message sparking his interest, he returns to the last victim’s apartment to investigate. He finds “GLUTTONY” written in grease on the victim’s kitchen wall. Handwritten passages had also been posted at both crime scenes. Somerset brings his findings back to the precinct and explains the seven deadly sins, demonstrating that the murders are inspired by them.
Somerset refuses to get further involved in the case after sharing his theory, but his curiosity takes over. He visits a library after hours and finds everything he can on the seven deadly sins and the religious beliefs that uphold them. He passes the literature on to Mills, and they officially join forces on the case. Fingerprints in the home of the Greed victim lead the police to the home of a criminal with a long and shocking record. Some officers are certain this perpetrator has to be the Sins killer; the detectives are not convinced. Upon arrival, they find the man they are looking for as the third victim.
Now that the deadly sins killer is officially a serial killer, Somerset and Mills ramp up their investigation. They grow closer in the process, their personalities often clashing. Mills’ emotions frequently get the better of him. Somerset uses his level head and experience to keep them both focused. No matter how far their talents and resources take them in the case, their man is always a step ahead. The list of sins is getting shorter, and time to stop more killing runs out.
Se7en shook movie audiences at the time of its release, and that effect has not wavered. Andrew Kevin Walker’s unrelenting screenplay, David Fincher’s signature edgy filmmaking, and the cast’s deep and emotional performances make this film the gripping masterpiece it is. The ending alone has remained a widely-recognized part of popular culture. There are several movies I wish I could watch for the first time again. Se7en is at the top of that list.
I was aware of the seven deadly sins from various literature prior to watching this movie. I counted down the list as the murders occurred onscreen and wondered aloud what could possibly be done to represent certain sins. Well…I found out. The story takes an allegory that has influenced people for centuries and made it into something new and terrifyingly real. Se7en is a horror film as much as it is a crime thriller. It shows the horrors of the world as well as the horrors within ourselves in gruesome and feverish detail. As much as we think we should, we cannot look away.
Until next time,
Jordan
By Night 