The Films of Fincher — Part 1: Se7en (1995)

In anticipation of David Fincher’s new film, Mank, I am revisiting and reflecting on (almost) his entire filmography.

One sure sign of a great film is when with the second viewing, even though you know all the twists and turns, even though you know what or who to look for, the experience of the story is still just as thrilling and intense. Such is the case with David Fincher’s breakout film, Se7en, starring Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey. Written by Andrew Kevin Walker, Se7en, is a notably dark and gruesome detective drama; and even though the performances are ratcheted to extreme tension in the masterful final act, during the first ninety minutes of the film the acting is rather subdued and the story appears to be about ideas. Specifically, sin, and what we do in the face of our common corruption as a species.

Essentially, it’s a bar scene in the second act that puts everything on the table. After the crime, or sin, of Lust has been committed and Detective Somerset (Freeman) and Detective Mills (Pitt) are seen segregated in side-by-side interrogation rooms, we find them sitting side-by-side at a bar, discussing matters of the most importance:

Somerset: “If we catch John Doe and he turns out to be the devil, I mean if he’s Satan himself, that might live up to our expectations, but he’s not…