Iconic Movies: 30 Years of Seven

30 years of David Fincher’s cult classic Seven.

In a bleak, crime-riddled city, it’s up to Detectives Mills and Somerset to solve a case like never before – a serial killer who chooses his victims according to the seven sins. Released in 1995, David Fincher’s box-office hit Seven has remained as popular 30 years on, cementing itself as an avid cult classic. In celebration of its anniversary, rediscover all the film’s iconic features from the hidden details throughout the film, to Pitt and Morgan’s duo dynamic, to the iconic ‘what’s in the box?’ line that remains forever infamous…

(Warning – major spoilers ahead!)

WHO IS IN SEVEN?

The film possesses a stellar cast including Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Gwyneth Paltrow who complement each other effortlessly. It is no wonder Seven became the 7th highest grossing film in 1995, competing with big releases like Toy Story and Batman Forever. Director David Fincher went on to work with Brad Pitt again, with The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008) and Fight Club (1999).

AN UNLIKELY DUO

‘Seen it all’, retiring detective William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and new in town, hothead detective David Mills are put on the case to catch an elusive serial killer. Although the unlikely duo butt heads at first, with the help of Mills’ wife Tracy (Gwyneth Paltrow) they learn to work together. They soon discover the gruesome link behind a series of graphic murders: the seven deadly sins.

THE KILLER

The serial killer John Doe (Kevin Spacey) remains one of the best cinematic villains of all time. Meticulous and obsessive, Fincher’s characterisation of Doe is chilling to say the least. The audience and detectives alike become increasingly aware that Doe is always five steps ahead, even planning for his crimes to be found exactly a year after they were committed by the detectives.

John Doe’s sustained monotonous, measured voice proves instantly unsettling as you realise everything is going according to his plan, which is hinted at by the iconic opening sequence, offering a glimpse into Doe’s mind.

The sequence reveals many clues as to the killer’s methods and plans, which can be appreciated even more from a second viewing. The graphic shots of Doe slicing his fingertips off with a razor, allowing him to absolve any trace of his identity at the crime
scenes, explains why at each crime scene no fingerprints could be found leading to the killer. Those with a sharp eye would then instantly be aware that the police’s ‘discovery’ of their killer suspect was never going to be John Doe, as they found their suspect’s fingerprints, which ultimately belonged to Doe’s third victim – Sloth.

Even more subtly in the opening credits, Doe’s readings on pregnancy too hint at his obsessive stalking of Tracy and subsequent murder at the end of the film. Interestingly, to uphold the mystery, the opening credits omit revealing the actor’s name to keep the audience in the dark about the killer’s identity, keeping it a surprise until the very end.

John Doe toys with Mills and Somerset throughout, marginally escaping their grasp and leaving clues dotted around each crime scene to mockingly ‘help’ them find the next victim. Even smugly handing himself into the police; his finale still at hand, and firmly in the palm of his hand, Doe offers the detectives his ultimatum - either let him escape his charges by pleading insanity, or accompany him to find his final victims: Envy and Wrath…

HIDDEN DETAILS

David Fincher, known for other crime thrillers such as Zodiac (2007) and Gone Girl (2014), is no stranger to attention to detail, and those watching a second time may pick up on the cleverly-hidden details woven into Seven. For instance, did you notice that for Mills and Somerset’s first interaction walking and talking on the street, every door behind them starts with the number 7? Of course, alluding to the central theme of the seven deadly sins.

A little later on in the film, amidst the pursuit of John Doe, detective Mills jumps off the roof of a building, hurting his arm in the process. In reality, this stunt injured Brad Pitt, who broke his arm with the fall. The injury was written into the film and from then on you can see Brad Pitt’s character wearing a cast and sling because of it.

If you look closely during the scene where Mills and Somerset are searching for answers in a shop, you can see a man hovering outside. Eager-eyed fans have spotted that this is John Doe subtly stalking the pair as they attempt to solve the case. The man’s limp gave him away, as this is a clue placed earlier in the film from the chase scene between Doe and Miller. Additionally, the film reveals the photographer at the scene of the Sloth victim was Doe in disguise all along too. Makes you wonder how many times in the film is Doe hiding, following the detectives along the way…

“WHAT’S IN THE BOX?”

This iconic line that has remained one of the most quoted pop culture references of all time. However, the “what’s in the box?” shocking ending almost didn’t make the cut. Studio executives suggested a more commercial, happier ending before David Fincher and writer Andrew Kevin Walker fought to keep the more shocking, sombre ending. Pitt himself swore only to stay on the film if the darker ending was kept. Thanks to their collective efforts, Seven’s ending will always remain one of the most shocking twists in cinematic history.

Watch Seven here.
Explore more of David Fincher with Zodiac and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button here.