Se7en Review: A Grim, Gripping Serial Killer Thriller
9/10 — Se7en (1995)
Pros
- Atmospheric, moody visuals
- Strong chemistry between the leads
- Shocking, unforgettable ending
Cons
- Bleak and disturbing
Two detectives, the veteran Somerset and the hot-headed Mills, played by Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt, hunt a killer who stages murders based on the seven deadly sins. David Fincher’s film is a masterclass in dread.
What works
The grimy, perpetually soaked city is a character in itself, and Darius Khondji’s dark photography is superb. Freeman and Pitt work brilliantly together, and Kevin Spacey’s late arrival is unnerving. The ending is one of the most shocking in cinema.
Where it falters
It’s relentlessly grim and grisly, with a nihilistic tone that won’t be to everyone’s taste.
Verdict
A dark, nerve-shredding thriller that stays with you long after the credits.
