A chilling, horrific and suspenseful mystery thriller that is unlike any other, Se7en takes on a young cop-old cop partnership that revolves around a series of murders committed by someone who holds a strong belief in the seven deadly sins. It's a game of cat and mouse that turns into a personal battle for both the detectives, making us question how far the killer is willing to go, to complete his masterpiece.
William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) is a veteran detective on the brink of retirement. Jaded by the constant violence and grimness of the place he has lived in, he yearns to move as far away from the blood stained streets of the city in hopes of a peaceful retirement. A new detective named David Mills (Brad Pitt) has just joined the force, transferring from another city's homicide department. Settling into the place with his wife Tracy (Gwyneth Paltrow), Somerset warns Mills of the constant dangers and fears that come with living in a place such as this. They then get put on a murder case, and within the next couple a few more dead bodies show up. They all have one of the seven deadly sins written near the victim's body, causing Somerset to warn the police force that they could expect a few more of these to complete the circle. Doing as much research on the writings that feature these sins, the detectives are led on a trail after a murderer who has complex motives and performs his murders to perfection, patiently revealing the corpses during the span of one week. Caught up in the case, Somerset decides to finish it and at last bring the perpetrator to justice although he knows that the killer may plead insanity as cause for murder and be let free subsequently. Will they lose the trail they set out on or will they fulfill their mission for righteousness? Expect the unexpected when seeing this unforgettable film unfold to the final standoff and twisted manifesto of the killer.
You may think that this is a typical story of a relationship between a veteran and a rookie detective, and no doubt that it has been done before, but it is much more than that. The detectives start out on the wrong foot but eventually put aside their differences and put their heads together to solve one of the most uncanny series of murders ever shown on-screen. Freeman's character exudes wisdom on his half and teaches Mills the ropes of running an investigation in a god forsaken place such as this, while Mills is an ambitious, cocky detective who can't wait to get his hands on a murder scene and find the criminal as fast as he can. It's almost a father-son relationship, and despite all the gore around, it had a warm feeling to it especially after Somerset meets Tracy and gives her advice about her unborn child. The grime of the city and it's darkness contributes to the frightening events surrounding the people and makes it look like a living hell, exhibiting the fine cinematography of the picture. You could say it's a neo-noir film spiked with horror at every corner. David Fincher is an amazing director and this film is a winning moment for him. Filled with crisp shots and dialogue that he took with him to make Fight Club, Fincher is the master of thriller films and this one should have been nominated for more Oscars than it was. The soundtrack gave me goosebumps from start to finish and was a vital detail throughout the film, never releasing its grip on our throats and making the most of every minute. Probably one of the most memorable stand-offs in film history that captured every emotion humanly possible. The thrill of the moment turned to disgust that turned to sadness and despair.
What was most thought-provoking about this film is that in a way, John Doe was right that there are a lot of people in the world who are guilty of a lot of sins they committed, although it was him who caused all the harm and pain to the people he didn't even know, yet he assumed were not doing any good by God's standards. Clever of him to end his own life so swiftly with an addition of ruining the lives of the people around him. He took the sins way too seriously, showing himself as a psychopath to all the world and killing people who may have not done the right things in life but what was expected of them in such a city. And it's true that everyone is apathetic to what's going on around them, willing to live life as is but ultimately there is hope because of people like Somerset and Mills. Understanding that nobody cares if they lock away another criminal, they are willing to fight to make the world a better place and make a difference in the lives of people who are out there, scared and wondering if the next night they will be stabbed or shot. Humans sometimes seem wilder and more intimidating than beasts, with corruption, robbery, murder and drugs being the short-cut that everyone wants, to live an easier life. It is ultimately laziness that has eaten away at our ambitions and dreams, causing tumult and disorder wherever we go. There will probably never be a way out of these miseries, and the last thing we could do is hope. If we want to guarantee ourselves and the next generation a better future, we have to learn how to fight for it.
Overall, it's a brilliantly made and ingeniously crafted piece of work that will be remembered forever as a defining moment in the history of cinema from the 90's, and a turning point in the career of the director David Fincher. I warn you of the possibly excessive amount of grisly gore in this film, yet that's what keeps you on the edge of your seat, sitting there uncomfortably and lucky to be alive.
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