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Se7en
Basic Information
+ Details
- Title: Se7en (stylized as Seven)
- Director: David Fincher
- Release Year: 1995
- Genre: Crime Thriller, Neo-Noir
- Country/Region: United States
Narrative Structure
+ Plotlines
- Main Plot: Hunt for a serial killer enacting the seven deadly sins.
- Subplot 1: Somerset's impending retirement and disillusionment.
- Subplot 2: Mills's idealism clashing with the city's grim reality.
- Subplot 3: Mills's relationship with his wife, Tracy.
+ Key Events
- First Murder (Gluttony)
- Second Murder (Greed)
- Third Murder (Sloth)
- Fourth Murder (Lust)
- Fifth Murder (Pride)
- John Doe's surrender
- The revelation of Envy and Wrath
- The final confrontation in the desert.
+ Narrative Style
- Timeline: Linear, unfolding over a week.
- Perspective: Primarily from Somerset and Mills's viewpoints.
- Pacing: Deliberate and suspenseful, building tension gradually.
Character Analysis
+ Somerset
- Profile: World-weary, experienced detective on the verge of retirement.
- Motivation: Seeks escape from the city's darkness and violence.
- Relationship: Mentor figure to Mills, initially skeptical of his idealism.
- Development: Reconsiders his decision to retire, possibly inspired by Mills's tragedy.
+ Mills
- Profile: Young, idealistic detective recently transferred to the city.
- Motivation: Eager to prove himself and make a difference.
- Relationship: Initially clashes with Somerset due to differing perspectives.
- Development: Loses his innocence and is consumed by wrath, becoming the final sin.
+ John Doe
- Profile: Highly intelligent and meticulous serial killer.
- Motivation: Believes he is enacting God's will by punishing sinners.
- Relationship: Antagonist to Somerset and Mills, orchestrating their actions.
- Development: Remains enigmatic and unwavering in his convictions until the end.
+ Tracy
- Profile: Mills's wife, pregnant and struggling to adjust to city life.
- Motivation: Desires a better life for her and her unborn child.
- Relationship: Close to Mills, but also forms a bond with Somerset.
- Development: Her death is the catalyst for Mills's final act of wrath.
Themes and Meaning
+ Core Themes
- Good vs. Evil: The constant struggle between morality and depravity.
- Despair and Hopelessness: The overwhelming darkness and corruption of the city.
- Justice and Revenge: The blurred lines between seeking justice and enacting vengeance.
- Moral Decay: The erosion of societal values and the prevalence of sin.
+ Symbolism
- The Seven Deadly Sins: Represent the flaws and vices of humanity.
- The City: Symbolizes urban decay, moral corruption, and societal ills.
- The Rain: Represents cleansing, but also adds to the film's oppressive atmosphere.
- The Box: Symbolizes the unknowable and the horrific consequences of curiosity.
+ Philosophical Insights
- Nihilism: Explored through Somerset's disillusionment and Doe's extreme actions.
- Moral Relativism: Questioned through the ambiguity of justice and the blurring of good and evil.
- The Nature of Evil: Examined through Doe's twisted logic and the consequences of his actions.
Cinematography
+ Visual Style
- Dark and Gritty: Creates a sense of unease and foreboding.
- Claustrophobic: Emphasizes the characters' entrapment in the city's darkness.
- Rain-Soaked: Contributes to the film's bleak and oppressive atmosphere.
+ Color Palette
- Muted and Desaturated: Reflects the moral decay and hopelessness of the story.
- Dominance of Grays and Browns: Enhances the film's somber and unsettling mood.
+ Camera Techniques
- Low Angles: Used to emphasize the power and menace of certain characters.
- Close-Ups: Heighten the emotional intensity of key moments.
- Tracking Shots: Create a sense of unease and follow the characters' psychological journeys.
Music and Sound
+ Score Style
- Dark and Ominous: Composed by Howard Shore, enhances the film's suspense and dread.
- Use of Discordant Sounds: Creates a sense of unease and psychological disturbance.
+ Sound Design
- Emphasis on Ambient Sounds: Rain, city noises, and industrial hum contribute to the film's oppressive atmosphere.
- Sound Effects: Used sparingly but effectively to heighten the impact of violent scenes.
+ Relationship with Narrative
- Music and Sound amplify the emotional intensity of key scenes.
- Silence is used strategically to create suspense and anticipation.
Dialogue and Text
+ Key Lines
- "Ernest Hemingway once wrote, 'The world is a fine place and worth fighting for.' I agree with the second part."
- "We see a deadly sin on every street corner, in every home, and we tolerate it. We tolerate it because it's common, it's trivial. We tolerate it morning, noon, and night."
- "Becoming him? We're not interested in John Doe. What John Doe did is irrelevant. We caught him!"
- "If you kill him, he wins."
+ Dialogue Style
- Philosophical and Introspective: Reflects the characters' moral and existential struggles.
- Realistic and Gritty: Captures the harsh realities of police work and urban life.
+ Language Nuances
- Biblical References: Used to emphasize the religious and moral themes of the story.
- Literary Quotes: Add depth and complexity to the characters' perspectives.
Genre and Influences
+ Literary/Artistic Influences
- Dante's Inferno: Provides the framework for the seven deadly sins.
- Film Noir: Influences the film's visual style and thematic concerns.
- Existentialist Literature: Explores themes of meaninglessness and despair.
+ Intertextuality
- References to Literature and Philosophy: Adds layers of meaning and complexity to the narrative.
+ Genre-Specific Elements
- Crime Thriller Tropes: Serial killer investigation, police procedural elements.
- Neo-Noir Characteristics: Moral ambiguity, urban decay, and a sense of hopelessness.
Historical and Social Context
+ Creation Background
- Developed in the mid-1990s, a period of increasing crime rates and social anxieties.
- Reflects societal concerns about urban decay, moral decline, and the rise of violence.
+ Cultural and Societal Impact
- Contributed to the popularity of dark and gritty crime thrillers.
- Sparked discussions about morality, justice, and the nature of evil.
- Influenced subsequent films and television shows with its visual style and thematic concerns.
Reception and Legacy
+ Box Office
- Commercially Successful: Grossed over $327 million worldwide.
+ Critical Reception
- Generally Positive: Praised for its dark atmosphere, suspenseful plot, and strong performances.
- Criticized by some for its graphic violence and nihilistic themes.
+ Awards
- Nominated for several awards, including an Academy Award for Best Film Editing.
+ Contribution to Film History
- Considered a landmark film in the crime thriller genre.
- Influenced the visual style and thematic concerns of subsequent films.
- Remains a popular and influential film to this day.
Details and Easter Eggs
+ Hidden Details
- The contents of John Doe's journals are never fully revealed.
- Somerset's apartment is sparsely furnished, reflecting his detachment from the world.
+ Intertextual References
- The film's ending echoes the ending of the novel 'Heart of Darkness'.
- References to various philosophers and theologians throughout the film.
+ Subtle Nods
- The detective's names, Somerset and Mills, evoke literary associations with W. Somerset Maugham and John Stuart Mill.
Summary insights
+ The film's exploration of the seven deadly sins serves as a commentary on the moral decay of modern society.
+ The contrast between Somerset's cynicism and Mills's idealism highlights the complexities of fighting evil in a corrupt world.
+ The ending, where Mills becomes Wrath, suggests that even those who strive for justice can be consumed by darkness.
+ The film's visual style and sound design create a sense of unease and dread that permeates the entire narrative.
+ Se7en's lasting impact lies in its ability to provoke thought and challenge viewers to confront uncomfortable truths about human nature.

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