Chilling and Memorable Thriller

Rating: 10/10 (5 April 2006)

7 gruesome murders. Each gruesome for any number of reasons.
One of the darkest and most disturbing thrillers ever, David Fincher's Se7en set a benchmark when released that has rarely if at all been matched since. In only his second ever film, Fincher takes us on a roller-coaster ride of religious fanaticism that shocks, intrigues and horrifies the audience.
Morgan Freeman is a week away from retirement. Brad Pitt is a week away from replacing him. The pair form an unlikely pair during the curious case of a morbidly obese man who appears to have been forced to eat himself to death. Somerset (Freeman) believes that it is the beginning. Mills (Pitt) thinks that it is simple ironic torture. However, a second man is found bled to death, with greed written on the crime scene floor. A second trip to the first location reveals the word gluttony behind a fridge. Soon the unlikely duo find themselves hunting a killer who appears to be using the seven deadly sins as both his template and as a murder weapon.
Fincher's piece of cinematic brilliance is a roller-coaster ride of exhilaration, shock, revulsion and curiosity, and shows a flair of direction that Fincher would later show in Fight Club. His use of directorial techniques, such as his eradication of colour and light from his dark, wet and gloomy sets creates a near nightmare like brooding universe which simply adds to the sinister nature of the investigation. Unsurprisingly, the murders are horrific to say the least, although much is actually left to the audience's imagination. The unconventional partnership of Freeman and Pitt is entertaining, with Pitt resenting Freeman's almost patronising wisdom, with Freeman hating Pitt's gung ho, unsubtle attitude. Both excel in their roles, as does Gwyneth Paltrow as Mills' frustrated wife. R. Lee Ermey and John C. McGinley, are, much like the rest of the supporting cast, well judged and make good work of their small roles. However, the most eye catching performance is by the unexpected Kevin Spacey as the killer. Although he doesn't have much screen time, he is terrifying as the righteous and almost serene John Doe, convinced that he is doing God's work, and carrying it out with cold cunning and confirmed enthusiasm. It's this planning that paves way for the stunning conclusion, that is both shocking and brilliantly set up.
The big star, though, is Fincher. The director redeems himself brilliantly following the much slated Alien 3, using unconventional techniques ,the creation of a sinister atmosphere, his control of events as well as the pacing that help make the film so memorable.
That and the seven gruesome murders, of course.