SE7EN (1995) Movie Review

[@ToureTheGatekeeper]

Fun fact this film was the first major DVD released to the public. I remember it cost $75.00 to own in 1995.

[@deepfocuslens]

Wow. That's crazy. I didn't know that. I was five when the movie came out. I obviously didn't see it until much later.

[@deepfocuslens]

Toure' The Gatekeeper! Yeah. My parents got a DVD player back in 1999, before they became completely mainstream. The first DVD we ever bought was Remains of the Day. I remember discovering that they had a director commentary and I was is fucking heaven. haha

[@jerrynosek8499]

the first vhs film i bought was alien.i think it was 100 dollars.still got it.

[@JohnSmith-qn3ob]

Really? That's impressive since DVDs didn't come out until 1997.

[@klown839]

$75?! For a DVD?! Smh.

[@MontyDatta]

One of my all time favorite all time films

[@710blodgett74]

I agree. It is Fincher masterpiece

[@e84fresh]

To me what makes a great bad guy/villain is one that is intelligent and makes sense. "We see a sin on every street, in every home and we tolerate it." That was a great scene in the when John Doe was riding in the car.

[@someokiedude9549]

I actually hold this film to be head and shoulders over Fight Club as Fincher's best film. It's a perfect noir and a surprisingly subtle critique of nihilism, while also being seeped in it.

[@stepheng1523]

Fight club has always been my favorite movie, but you're not wrong. Se7en is a masterpiece

[@wingflanagan]

_Se7en_ is one of my favorite films. I truly believe the cliches were intentionally present to throw the audience off guard and set them up for the ending. The grizzled veteran on his last day before retirement; the cocky hotshot with something to prove; the pretty wife you just know is going to be kidnapped in the last act; the race against time to stop the killer; the third act car chase. I fell so hard for the bait-and-switch that, by the end, I felt like I had almost literally been hit in the head with a 2x4. I could not stop thinking about it. I'd gone to the theater for an escapist "catch the killer" film and instead got something far more disturbing.

[@kolajoabiola2790]

Great review. It's actually among my Top 5 favorite movies (with L.A Confidential, Goodfellas, The Silence of the Lambs and Children of Men) and I've either liked or loved all of Fincher's movies except Curious Case of Benjamin Button and his Girl with a Dragon Tattoo remake. I'm also a HUGE Chris Nolan fan. Haven't loved all of his movies but I admire his filmmaking/storytelling techniques but I can understand some of the issues his critics may have with his writing or how he handles his characters. I don't necessarily agree with them for the most part, but still. If his movies aren't your cup of tea, you really don't have to watch them. When his next movie comes out, you can just skip it. Seen your other reviews btw. I admire your style and approach when it comes to reviewing/discussing movies and it's certainly different from anything else i've come across on this platform. Well done :) x

[@deepfocuslens]

Thank you! :)

[@TheJohnDoeLibraryRoom.]

The less you know about John Doe the better. He explains his intent, but where he came from must remain a mystery.

[@catpeach326]

Seven scared the sh*t out of me. Pride was my favorite.

[@McLarenMercedes]

Alien 3 still carries the typical Fincher touch, and that's the only thing that saves it from being a mess with a lot of fine actors. I believe he was the third appointed director and did what he could. It was his ticket to remain in Hollywood. I like how the 20th Century Fox fanfare segues ominously as to say welcome to Fincher world. Neat. "Seven" was indeed Fincher's first true debut. I think it's the first mainstream modern film (as in the post-Hitchcock void) in which the villain "wins". As such it was controversial back in 1995 and many people hated the ending. It's fair to assume they were shocked by it. The audience kind of sympathizes with John Doe as his victims are far from innocent people, and he kills them accordingly fitting their mortal sins. This is one of Fincher's strengths, people are not portrayed as black or white, instead everybody are shades of gray. John Doe knows that Brad Pitt's character would gladly beat him into a pulp if he was given free time with him in a locked room and points that out to him. The consequences is the only thing that prevents him from doing so. This is why his own claimed beliefs are proven wrong by himself when he executes John Doe for having killed his wife. Given the circumstances we are all capable of murder and doing evil. Seven was also unusual in the way that nothing is known about the victims before they're found and that we as the audience see none of John Doe's murders or even him stalking his prey. At first the victims appeared to have been chosen randomly. Fincher wisely doesn't overexplain or pull at the heartstrings. Kevin Spacey was great as John Doe but I couldn't get past the fact he was motivated by religious beliefs and in the end excused his own horrible crimes with "God works in mysterious ways." Feels like a cop out for a man that appeared more complex in the first half of the film. I like Zodiac but since I read up about the case since then I find it a bit disappointing they decided to point out Arthur Leigh Allen as the Zodiac killer when it was already clear at the time of filming that his DNA-sample doesn't match the ones found on the letters, his handwriting doesn't match and the other proof they had against him were circumstantial. I suppose they wouldn't have a film if they just ended it with "we have no idea who he is". Kudos to Fincher for his way to portray the years passing by building the Transamerica Pyramid ultra-fast. Nice cultural reference too with Dirty Harry (1971) being mentioned en passant as the Zodiac murders influenced that film. The Batman reboot done by David Fincher? Now you're talking. In my opinion Chris Nolan and his brother don't understand people and how they behave. Too many actions seem arbitrary and their justifications are far-fetched. For a film that claims to be realistic the democratically voting whether to blow up another ferry in a calm and orderly manner and in the end refusing to do so when they know there is no other option and their lives are at stake is possibly the most insulting scene I've ever scene in a big budget film. Just dumb. Quite the tangent. Another good review deepfocuslens. Say, why do you always sit on the floor when doing these reviews? The placement of your webcam? You're most comfortable that way? Artistic angle?

[@deepfocuslens]

They never actually said that Arthur Leigh Allen was the Zodiac in the end. They just said that they were "pretty sure," which is obviously not enough. They even say at the end of the film that the DNA test didn't match Allen's. The point of Zodiac was to prove that this obsession over one persons actions is unrealistic yet understandable because of the nature of human beings. We never figured out who the man really was, but we still look for him even though so many years have gone by, and far more crimes have happened since then that we could be worrying about. But this particular one is so cinematic, and I like the conscious cinematic touches the film adds, which is why I say the film is aware of its conceits and it's own obsession with these kinds of killers. But so many people want everything to be summed up with a neat and tidy bow. We expect to have all the answers, which is partially why Graysmith wanted so badly to believe it was Allen. It's just like people who believe in God, Heaven, Hell, etc. They don't have any proof, yet they want to believe they know the answer because humans want to feel in control of of things they can't control. In that way, I think Zodiac does a fine job in the end. You are absolutely right about the Nolan brothers. That is why Fincher is better suited. Nolan is too impersonal. I never was a big fan of his work. I sit on the floor because I don't have a tripod, so I need to be at a level where I can realistically situate the camera. Plus I like sitting on the floor anyway. haha

[@davidhutchinson7888]

What's in the box

[@classicvideogoodies]

Another film in the similar"vein" as "Se7en" is Alan Parker's 1987 film "Angel Heart." It has similar ingredients: ritualistic murders, noirish atmosphere, disturbing gore (rated X originally), and surprising revelation -- and IMO a better film.

[@davydevilution7297]

This was an excellent review. Good insight to the movie. Keep up the good work!

[@SaberRexZealot]

SeSevenEn

[@davidhutchinson7888]

Nineteen Nineteen Nunununununununununununineteen

[@scottjo63]

I'm glad you mentioned Zodiak, I usually don't buy dvds but when I do I get the best (especially with all the extras including actor's commentary and director's--this was the one and only director's cut 2 disc and all that). Well worth the money.

[@ImpulseGenerator]

Se7en works meticulously to break down Somerset's point of view. He might seem cool and cerebral but his philosophy is very flawed and a cover up to avoid actually engaging with humans and to avoid pain in general. Seven is a very moralistic movie. After it ends the work really starts, for me. It leaves *plenty* to ponder. It's a fight against apathy as a solution to suffering. It makes Mills, who is mostly right throughout the movie if you ask me, very sneakily seem like he's "too" emotional and engaging too much. Next to Somerset's intelligence and experience, he seems small. But that's what the movie wants you to think. In a way, he's the antagonist for Somerset, not Doe. Doe mostly validates Somerset's point of view, while Mills challenges it. In short, se7en is the opposite of what it seems to be. It's not nihilistic, it's very moralistic and passionate.

[@alecrobbins3989]

this comment is one of the best insights into the movie i’ve read tbh

[@rjmacready8830]

I always felt John Doe's speech on the back of the police car was an attempt to get the police to agree with him about the state of the world, to justify his actions and to get attention.

[@flippert0]

When 'Se7en' came out, I was only midly interested, because the Serial Killer genre had been tackled before, both in campy slasher movies and more seriously like in 'Silence of the Lambs'. But I knew Fincher was the director of 'Alien 3' (which I actually liked in contrast to a lot of other people) and so I gave it a try. Halfway through it became clear we are in a different territory. After 'Victor', nothing was the same anymore. The end left me emotionally exhausted like few other films.

[@camaradiop3731]

2:45 It's in his surname, "Somerset". He's retiring; his summer is setting; believe me, it's not a mistake.

[@real_Tablespoon]

Great Review! I remember the first day I saw this, and despite the ending and it has stuck with me long long after. Even after being a meme, it still gets to me.

[@real_Tablespoon]

You should see hunt for the wilderpeople

[@paulstaker8861]

Hmm. I guess maybe a Zodiac styled ending might not have worked as well for Se7en. Se7en was very stylized, very graphic. It was intentionally less subtle and it was made to work with the general audience, which it thankfully did :") Zodiac, which I also agree was a better movie, didn't get that much popularity due to its very nature as a very demanding movie. That ending felt right for Zodiac.

[@kim-christiann9406]

Regarding the monotonous tone, and the character development. I think the dinner scene is one of the most important scenes in the movie. The great laugh at the table really solidifies why we care about the characters. All the misery, unease and filth needs a balancing act for us to care at all. I think what happens in the apartment feels real and anchors the characters in our hearts. We need to glimpse the light if we are to fear the darkness.

[@deepfocuslens]

Yeah, that scene is by far one of my favorites. It really humanizes the characters in a way that was really needed. I don't think I would like the film nearly as much if it weren't for that scene as well as just the inclusion of the Tracy character.

[@theurbanloner8879]

Kim-Christian N I always felt the heart of the film was the scene in the bar. That scene really reasonated with me.

[@eval7952]

Gotta review Leon.

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

Nice take on a classic Fincher movie. I can't recall, have you reviewed 'the Game'? I just watched another dark (maybe not this dark though) buddy cop film, End of Watch with Jake Gyllenhaal. Very intense, if a little manipulative and perhaps a little stereotypical also. Still, I think you'd like it. Zodiac is my favorite Fincher film also. Much more existential. Funny, he went backwards with his more recent films in my estimation. Girl w/ the Dragon Tattoo was pretty to look at (the film not the girl), but it was just as campy and pulpy as Se7en.

[@deepfocuslens]

Thank you. No, I have not reviewed The Game. It's been a long time since I've seen that film. Since I added this video, I've been getting quite a lot of requests for that one.

[@stopthephilosophicalzombie9017]

deepfocuslens It's one of my favorite Fincher films, despite being annoying in some ways. One of my favorite things about it is Sean Penn's cameo. One of his best parts ever. Deborah Kara Unger is also excellent. Her role in Crash (the Cronenberg one) was awesome too.

[@Simonious_Monk]

This film portrays time travel in a fun, not overly-serious way, and i LOVE it! When Brad Pitt's character finds himself romantically pursued by his own MOTHER (brilliantly played by Gwyneth Paltrow) back in the 1950s, I nearly died laughing!!! Loved loved loved Morgan Freeman's wacky portrayal of an eccentric scientist. And who knew Pitt was so good at electric guitar?!? I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this film to any lover of grisly crime noir, foreboding rainy atmospheres, and charmingly zany time-travel shenanigans!

[@thebossman80s]

Interesting review,I would love to here what you think of more classic films like the seventh seal by ingmar Bergman and metropolis by fritz Lang

[@deepfocuslens]

I was actually thinking about reviewing Bergman's film, Persona next. I've been wanting to get into that stuff more too because those tend to be my favorite films. I'm just not sure if anyone would watch the reviews.

[@thebossman80s]

+deepfocuslens persona was the last bergman film I saw and i definitely recommend seeing it.I would also recommend wild strawberries as I was totally surprised by it.i like how there's a dream like feel to his films. Criterion have started to release their catalogue in England so I'm looking forward to buying his films from them as they arrive here.as far as people watching the reviews for these films go I think I they will because these films have so much in them to talk about they will at least be inspired to see them and that can only be a good thing!

[@deepfocuslens]

Charly85 Yeah. I've seen many Bergman films. Persona is one of my favorites. I also love Wild Strawberries. The Virgin Spring moved me like almost no other.

[@nielssen9]

Many people would watch it; Bergman is not really obscure.

[@sandothemando8924]

Can you review 'The Game'? It's my favourite David Fincher film and definitely his most underrated and overlooked film.

[@deepfocuslens]

I love The Game. I might review it at some point in the future.

[@sandothemando8924]

I love its underlying themes of complacency in western society and how it explores the line between what we see in the movies and some people's desire to see that in real life. It's one of the best thrillers I have seen, purely for its wonderfully eerie and foreboding atmosphere and Fincher's mastery of writing, directing and cinematography seen in all his films and especially The Game.

[@romansoto9644]

5:40 That aged well... like milk.

[@deepfocuslens]

Not necessarily. Wasn't commenting on his moral code of ethics. If I had been then certainly that comment would've aged poorly. I think he's a great actor. Now his behavior in real life? He can rot in hell for all I care. But I stand by the statement as far as talent is concerned.

[@romansoto9644]

@@deepfocuslens I know. I agree he is a great actor. I was just joking.

[@safiulhamidaasem8352]

Hi Maggie amazing review thanks, you always mention about emotional actor and physical actor. My question to you is what is the difference between emotional actor and physical actor and as you have mentioned Brad Pitt an example of physical actor give one example of emotional actor you think is best at emotional acting.

[@marcozuleta133]

Why do critics always fall into the trap of comparing a directors film with his previews work? You are reviewing the movie, not the directors body of work. If movies where made with no Credit to the director that made them, that would end up that trend to not see a movie like a work of its own... Is like constantly comparing someones children to each other, just watch it for what it is, and not for what the ones that came before did, unless we are talking about a sequel of course.

[@safiulhamidaasem8352]

Hey deepfocuslens can you kindly explain the difference between physical actor and deep actor you often use the term and how do you find Kevin Spacey as an actor

[@Mo-MuttMusic]

Interesting that you say, "'Se7en,' I think would've been great, actually, as a graphic novel." Have you read the comic book/graphic novel series that examines John Doe's backstory? I haven't yet. Hope to someday. Shawn R., Mo-Mutt Music

[@raxr5705]

While I agree that *Zodiac* might be Finchers magnum opus (I have yet to see *Mank,* so cant speak with complete certainty, yet), i still think that *Se7en* is a masterpiece in its own right and it, along with the aforementioned *Zodiac* and *Fight Club* are my top 3 by the director, and I havent been able to pick a favorite, as imo each movie excels in different vibes, which imo makes all three "The Best" for different reasons. As to your critique over John Doe spilling his guts right before the end, I think that was the point: to showcase that in the end he Was an obsessive psychopath indulging his narcissistic tendencies, no matter if he had some worthwhile points about the degradation of humanity, so the fact he ended up being a petty edgelord was imo entirely appropriate for the character. Besides, both the naive outbursts by Mills, who wasnt willing to look beyond the surface of Does words due to his grotesque actions, and the more thoughtful questions made by Somerset imo worked as balanced counter points to what the killer dogmatically felt to be the ultimate truth, and while the conversation might not have ended being that profound, I dont think it was as necessary in this case. None the less, once again your opinion was well thought through, and overall the review was substantial and imo paid the movie the respect it deserves, so well done!

[@waterblonk]

I'm supsrised you've never reviewed Solaris since that's a movie you would surely like.

[@deepfocuslens]

Sadly, I sill haven't seen it.

[@RunNRumbleComedy]

Downplaying one of the best endings in movie history is wild.

[@flippert0]

Good observation that Fincher's movie language isn't necessarily new but he's meticuless like practically no other film maker today.

[@micahbessolo64]

I really like fincher, but I think I'm happy it was Christopher Nolan who made the dark knight trilogy, he really killed it. In my opinion.

[@SaberRexZealot]

God what would that've been like? Would Kevin Spacey be playing Joker? Would Brad Pitt be Two-Face? Would Rooney Mara be Rachel? Damn dood.

[@micahbessolo64]

+SaberRexZealot lol Jesse eissenberg batman

[@deepfocuslens]

I have no idea. But I think it would have been much better. I think Nolan drained the poetry from Batman. Batman should not be realistic. It's a comic book, so it should look like a comic book. Hell, the city in which se7en takes places already looks like Gotham City.

[@micahbessolo64]

+deepfocuslens personally I think it's the realism that I like about it... but that's just me. Fincher would make a solid batman tho

[@SaberRexZealot]

deepfocuslens Would've been interesting for sure. In the mean time, I hope you like Zack Snyder.

[@Alvaro-fh5dd]

Have you seen the Ukrainian movie ¨The tribe¨ (2014)? I think it has been largely ignored by the critics, the movie didnt pass the cut to represent their country in the oscars in last year. I would like your opinion even if it is short, it is a beautiful film (for the cinematography and the silence)and at the same time very hard film to watch.

[@deepfocuslens]

No I haven't.

[@ratedgp2827]

For me personally, I always had a problem with the ending, not so much the concept, but the execution. I felt there was a missed opportunity there, After showing us show much disturbing imagery throughout the film, when it was time for the big climax at the end Fincher held back... We as an audience didn't get to see what was "in the box" as Morgan Freeman did so that shock value and that impact wasn't quite there for me. I think we as an audience would have felt it more and would've of connected more with Brad Pitt's character during those final moments if we could've at least gotten an insert shot of what was inside the box or even as the box was dropped and the contents maybe rolled out. Plus he didn't see it for himself either, which I think would have made more sense considering what it drove him to do. Everyone always raves about the ending and don't get me wrong it's good, but a few small changes would've made it great in my opinion.

[@theurbanloner8879]

Rated GP I felt as though had we scene the beheaded paltrow it would have cheapened the film gravely . The film showed grotesque scenes to tell the story. Imagine a head rolling out of that box lol movie would have lost all its class.

[@ratedgp2827]

I didn't necessarily mean I wanted the head to roll out specifically, that was just an example. I just wanted to see that it was in fact her, that way I could empathize more with Brad Pitt's turmoil in those final moments.

[@spikemufc]

No, I think it is a perfect ending. All we needed to realize it was her head was Mills' emotional breakdown. To let us see what's inside the box, or see him looking at it would be so stereotypical.

[@ibrahimaballer23]

Do you have a blu ray collection?

[@deepfocuslens]

I don't know I would call it a collection. But I do have some blu rays.

[@thorstonmanderlay5010]

Really loved this review until you started talking about the 3rd act/ending. Not for the first time I felt you didn't really get what is going on. It's not about what the Kevin Spacey character is saying about himself and his motives. It's about what is actually happening in the scene in the desert. It's all about that final decision Brad Pitt's character makes and why - though true to his character - it is the wrong decision. Most cinema goers, certainly in the packed cinema I first watched it in, applauded Pitt's character's action at the end. Me and my friend were in the very small minority who didn't. This film is about challenging the characters and the viewer emotionally to the utmost. The murders are all grotesque, nauseating & extreme, one worse than the other. In the end the killer tops it all in the way he traps Pitt's character in his web, leading to exactly the kind of reaction he wanted. A reaction which will destroy Pitt's life forever, even more so than its reason, horrible though that is. Just as much as he failed this ultimate test, so did all the audiences clapping. The film's moral centre is Freeman's character. And, because of the crucial bonding scene between him and Paltrow earlier in the movie, he is really emotionally involved as well in the end. Yet he is trying to prevent Pitt from making that fatal mistake, from losing his humanity. This is what - at least for me - the film is about. Holding on to your humanity under the most extreme emotional challenge. We caught a midnight screening in the opening week at the time. After my friend and I went to a late night cafe and her and I spent 2 hours talking about the emotional impact of the film. It shook us to the core and it stayed with me for a very long time.

[@vinylrevenge558]

Great review! This one is kind of forgotten these days I think? It was a biggie among my friends when it came out. Scared the living sh*t out of me lol.

[@philsmith3839]

Denzel Washington turned down Pitts role.

[@vangrails]

Have you seen Memories of Murder? It is often compared to se7en and Zodiac.

[@glenncross956]

Somerset should have shot John Doe before Mills did. That way JDs masterwork would not have been completed, since there would not have been a 'wrath' to end the series of 7..

[@nxxxxzn]

Cliches? I wonder what you'd say about 2015 Spy lol

[@jimilives484]

Zodiac is brilliant and criminally (no pun intended) under rated

[@alfiecox6899]

Great analysis

[@benjamincox4211]

If there are any cliches in it, they weren't cliches when it was made. They either used something that had been used a couple times before or they were the first

[@iansmart4158]

Dope review. But let's hear your opinions on Fincher and batman?

[@deepfocuslens]

Thanks. I just think he is better suited than Nolan in pretty much every way. Se7en more than proves that.

[@rainblaze.]

ple8ase do a review of the movie "house of yes", as its one of my "most favourites" [yea, thats something that im , like simply, just alwwwaaays sayin( im making it a "thing" now) ] but seriously there really is no reviews of it i would love to get your view on it as parker posy is remarkable in it, hell even tory spelling is really good in it, another one would be hitchcocks "rope" or the exorcist, thank you

[@BReNĐN-c6n]

He’s never done another movie like se7en

[@ilo2224]

0:57 Funny, that’s how I’d describe this review! 😂

[@davidtester3239]

Not to be picayune, but, black noir? So black black? Kind of like the Gobi desert.

[@zantigar]

What makes Seven so appealing to viewers - or to me I should say - is its fetishistic approach to texture, the moldy "dirt in the corner" detail of the world he photographs. Of course, Darius Khondji, the brilliant DP, had a lot to do with it. But its that pretentious, sophomoric grunginess which people got into which made them feel like they were experiencing a descent into profound evil. For the real thing, you have to go to Fassbinder's "Berlin Alexanderplatz".

[@Guigley]

I look forward to taking that film on one day.

[@crazyatrain]

Siskel & Ebert thought the film should've been rated NC-17.

[@SaberRexZealot]

Nowadays it'd be a PG lol.

[@deepfocuslens]

Yeah. I've seen their review for it. Ahhh the 90s. A more innocent time.

[@celiacresswell6909]

Just watched and your review was excellent. I like message that if you’re wise and speak the truth a lot......nobody will like you and you will die alone!

[@miguelcorona6897]

Are you Crazy? Alien3 is a masterpiece

[@dkazmer2]

Very nice. Good depth of focus.

[@stephenzicarelli5476]

I love your hands...

[@takayasu2009]

I love this film.

[@Chavez_Soria]

That's a nice fucking shirt

[@nathanslay6342]

I just saw it and WOOOOOOOOWWW!!!

[@SNNS-nq5zg]

Depuis que j'ai vu se7en à chaque fois que je vois une jolie fille j'ai envie de mettre sa jolie tête dans une petite boîte❤

[@thedjames97]

Se7en is more Spielberg whereas Zodiac is more Kubrick

[@deepfocuslens]

Hmmmm I can see the Kubrick reference. Especially with that amazing aerial shot where the camera follows the cab. That is very original and VERY Kubrick.

[@thedjames97]

I meant it more in the sense that Kubrick liked to keep his films more ambiguous. Spielberg on the other hand tended to wrap things up in a tight knit bow.