In David Fincher’s dark thriller Seven, the seven deadly sins—gluttony, greed, sloth, envy, wrath, pride, and lust—are punished with unimaginable cruelty by a mysterious killer. Set in a perpetually gloomy, unnamed city, the film follows retiring detective Somerset (Morgan Freeman) during his final week on the job, reluctantly teaming up with the assertive newcomer Mills (Brad Pitt). When an obese man is found brutally murdered, Somerset realizes this is no ordinary killing—the victim was tortured for his gluttony. Subsequent murders reflecting the sins of greed and sloth lead Somerset and Mills on a frantic search for the enigmatic John Doe, the mastermind behind these meticulous crimes. As the investigation builds to a shocking climax, both detectives become entangled in the case more deeply than they could have imagined.
Following a brief opening scene, Seven cuts to a highly stylized title sequence, featuring an intricate collage of books, photos, scissors, razors, blood, and skin, setting the film’s dark and graphic tone. Fincher cleverly avoids showing most acts of violence onscreen, instead focusing on the aftermath of the crimes, drawing viewers into the investigation. With a meticulously crafted screenplay, brilliant cinematography and design, assured direction, and stellar performances from the cast, Seven culminates in an unforgettable and stunning finale.