Why Se7en is a masterpiece
SPOILER WARNING FOR SE7EN (1995)
Introduction
David Fincher's Se7en follows two cops as they desperately try to track down a serial killer. Se7en is one of my favourite thrillers for sure even though I was spoiled for the ending. In this post, I explore what makes Se7en an undoubted masterpiece.
Protagonists
The cop duo, Mills and Somerset, come off as an unlikely team. From the start, there is friction between them. But that's what makes this partnership so interesting. Through the conflict, we get to see these characters change and grow as they try to hunt John Doe down. The wholesome dinner scene also makes us really feel for the characters, and fleshes them out. It helps to create a much more emotional and dramatic impact when the characters are in danger, for example, when Mills was almost killed by Doe.
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| Our protagonists Somerset (Left) and Mills (Right) |
Antagonist
The star of the show, John Doe. Even though he doesn't show himself until the last 30 minutes, his explosive screen presence puts him in control of the situation every single second he is on screen. His blend of extreme intensity and his serene calmness is perfectly written and also performed by Kevin Spacey. John Doe is a complex character, and his slow-burning plan for victory proves that he is one of the best antagonists of cinema history. His huge presence despite his limited screen time really does prove the excellence of his character.
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| Our antagonist, John Doe |
Kills
Every kill by John Doe was perfectly executed, with Doe's patient, calculative character. Disturbing but creative, gory, and not too over-the-top, all the kills are unique to the seven deadly sins in their own way. After watching this, I realise just how much Se7en influenced the Saw franchise, my personal favourite film franchise.
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| John Doe's "Sloth" kill |
Performances
Every single performance here really shined, from the leads to the silent great performances from supporting actors. Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt really solf it as these two desperate cops, with Pitt especially pouring every ounce of his emotions into showing his heartbreak in the final scene, and through his expressions alone, allow us to understand his decisions and his inner-state. Kevin Spacey though, definitely stole the show. The contrast between his intense and calm demeanors was portrayed masterfully by Spacey, and his steady tone, his menacing eyes and his sly smile makes us sincerely fear John Doe. Gwenyth Paltrow also did well as Tracy Mills, and I don't see her performance getting enough praise. Her performance does greatly contribute to the shock and emotional impact of the climax ending.
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| Brad Pitt in the film's finale |
Subverting Expectations
With plenty of twists and turns, Fincher constantly finds ways to sneak up on the audience, and show us something that we never would have seen coming. Cases in point : the jump scare from the Sloth victim and the surrender of John Doe. Two completely unexpected actions, which captivates the audience and keeps them hooked.
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| John Doe's shocking surrender |
Setting and Atmosphere
Really the other protagonist of Se7en, the rainy, clustered, and grimy setting of this unnamed city plays a big role in setting the dark, depressing, and mysterious mood that lingers throughout the film. The setting elicits the feeling of hopelessness and defeat, and we get the feeling that Mills and Somerset might never catch up to John Doe. Then, the setting suddenly changes to a bright one in the climax, and we get the sense that the protagonists are close to victory. However, with the sun shining on our characters, Fincher pulls the rug from under our feet and cleverly subverts our expectations again, as we watch in horror as Doe emerges victorious after all.
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| The seemingly never-ending rain in the city of Se7en |
Show, Don't Tell
If you look at Se7en close enough, you would find that while it seems to be a very in-your-face film, Fincher actually doesn't show much. Instead of seeing the execution, we mostly end up seeing the consequences of John Doe's crimes. We never see any of the murders, and we barely see Doe himself until he turns himself in. Fincher immerses the audience in the viewer experience by giving us limited information, and allows our imaginations to fill in the blanks. They say that we fear what we can't see, and that's exactly how Fincher manages to get under our skin.
Conclusion
Although I got spoiled for the ending, it is definitely the cherry on top to solidify Se7en's status as a legendary film. Fincher sure has a knack for crime thrillers, and knocks it out of the park for sure with Se7en.
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