Overview
A chilling exploration of morality and the darkness within humanity.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Extreme
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Graphic
- brooding
- foreboding
- oppressive
- late night thriller viewing
- dark movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly regarded the film as intelligent, technically striking, and powered by exceptional performances, especially Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey, while finding its grim seriousness and occasionally thin character work divisive.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Somerset researches the seven deadly sins while each crime scene corresponds to another sin in the killer's design.
The unnamed city is presented through dark subdued tones, relentless rain, and grimy crime scenes.
John Doe justifies his murders as absolution for society's sins and sermonizes to Somerset and Mills.
The cultured, jaded Somerset and impulsive, inexperienced Mills disagree over how to understand and pursue the killer.
Films like Se7en, and why
The Silence of the Lambs
shared neo-noir atmosphere, serial killer investigation, psychological dread, and morally bleak crime storytelling
Zodiac
shared serial killer procedural structure, grim urban atmosphere, and tension between investigators and an intellectually composed murderer
Manhunter
shared buddy cop dynamic, graphic crime scenes, and oppressive psychological thriller tone
The Batman
shared rain-soaked neo-noir visuals, corrupt urban setting, and investigation shaped by philosophical evil
Movie Details
- Director
- David Fincher
- Release Date
- 1995-09-22
- Runtime
- 127 min
- Rating
- 8.4 / 10 (23868)
Cast
- Morgan Freeman
- Brad Pitt
- Gwyneth Paltrow
- John Cassini
- Peter Crombie
- Reg E. Cathey
- R. Lee Ermey
- Daniel Zacapa
- Andrew Kevin Walker
- George Christy
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Se7en about?
- Two homicide detectives confront a serial killer whose meticulously staged murders turn the seven deadly sins into a blueprint for urban terror.
- What is Se7en like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Se7en as measured, its intensity as extreme and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Se7en violent?
- Yes. Ember rates the violence in Se7en as graphic.
- What did critics think of Se7en?
- Critics broadly regarded the film as intelligent, technically striking, and powered by exceptional performances, especially Morgan Freeman and Kevin Spacey, while finding its grim seriousness and occasionally thin character work divisive.
- Which films are like Se7en?
- Films with a similar feel include The Silence of the Lambs, Zodiac, Manhunter, and The Batman.
- How long is Se7en?
- Se7en runs 127 minutes.
- Where can I watch Se7en?
- In United States, Se7en streams on fuboTV, Paramount Plus Premium, Paramount Plus Essential.
