Research: Analysis of Se7en

Opening Titles Clip

The plot of the film Se7en is based around two police inspectors working within the city of New York. Somerset, played by Morgan Freeman, has lived in the city his entire life and has finally reached the decision to retire from his field of work, until the arrival of Mills. Mills, played by Brad Pitt, is a young and enthusiastic inspector who had recently moved into the city to take up work. Together, the two begin unravelling the story behind a line of murders taking place around New York. The partners work together to reveal the devilish plot behind the murders and the satanic, aberrant mind of their killer.

What is a thriller?
A typical thriller is based around conflict, usually a battle between the protagonist and the antagonist. The conflict  begins when there is a disruption of equilibrium in the movie. A chain of events then occurs throughout the film in order to build up to the climax of the plot where the protagonist restores the peace.

Typical conventions of a thriller include;

• Protagonist in the mercy of the Antagonist
• Black and white shots
• Montage of shots
• Shadows
• Tension music
• Quick Cuts
• Low key lighting
• Changes in the angle of shots
• Diegetic sound of breathing

How does Se7en fit the thriller genre?

Se7en fits the typical stereotype of a thriller movie due to the films plot. Conflict begins between the two protagonists, Somerset and Mills, and the antagonist, John Doe when the two detectives start to tackle the case of a murder taken place within the city. The chain of events then begins when more murders begin to unravel around New York. The plot thickens as the detectives discover the satanic pattern behind the murders. As more and more murders reveal themselves,the build up to the films climax begins. The films climax becomes obvious when the murderer, John Doe reveals himself to the detectives. The matter then becomes more personal when John Doe is revealed to have brutally murdered the wife of Detective Mills, Tracy. Doe is then seen to be in the mercy of the protagonist, Detective Somerset as he is shown to talk Mills out of revenge on John. Mills restores the peace by killing John Doe.

Se7en also carries many conventions usually associated with thrillers. Low key lighting is used through out the film, also creating shadows. The editing within the movie consists of many fast cuts, again showing a convention of thrillers. Fast cuts were used throughout the film but where very predominant during scenes of action, such as the scene in which John Doe is murdered. Changes in the angles of shots are also present within this scene. Tension music, black and white shots and a montage are all present within Se7en's opening title sequence.